Updates from New Zealand
Everything has been great down under though a little boring and mundane unlike the wild party atmosphere of SE Asia. I've been here since September 11th and other than drink with my flatmates and go to clubs/bars to do even more drinking, I haven't done anything fun or obtained any new interesting stories with the exception of the wild and wacky antics of some of my flatmates. I need to buy a guide book or something and actually start experiencing New Zealand instead of sitting in my room, drinking or watching TV. Even with everything that's happening in Thailand right now, I wish I was there and can't wait to go back.
I don't feel like i'm traveling anymore or that i'm even on an extended holiday. I've settled into a flat with 5 other people (more about that later on), got a bank account, mobile phone, etc and I am starting a 9-5 job tomorrow at a temp agency. Everything i've done here so far is something I could do in Boston. In Asia I was meeting new people and doing something different everyday. Don't get me wrong, i'm definitely enjoying myself but i'm not having as much fun as I did in Asia. I'm seriously thinking about not staying as long as I previously thought I would.. Hell..when I left the United States, I only really planned to travel for like a month and half, now i've been gone over 4 months.
Anyway, the flat i've settled into is in a suburb outside of the main city of Christchurch called Bishopdale. Neighborhood is fairly quiet and really safe. From Bishopdale it's about a 15-20 minute bus ride to the city centre. Easy to get around and pretty compact. We pretty much never lock our doors and half the time they're actually wide open when we leave. No need for keys or anything. The people i'm living with are pretty cool, they're all pretty much students in my age group who love to drink maybe even too much. Unfortunately, we all just found out a couple days ago that the owners are selling the house and we all need to move out within a month. Sort of sucks because I just got settled in and will have to do the same thing all over again. The good news is that there are heaps (that's a New Zealand phrase) flats available to rent so i'll have no problem finding a new place.
One interesting thing about Christchurch and New Zealand in general is that there are tons of Asians living here. It's amazing, I feel like I haven't left Asia. Seems like it's mostly Japan and Chinese students on work visas but I would guess that the population of Christchurch is like 30% Asian. Walking around town centre, they're all you see.
All the houses here are a bit strange too (well compared to home). Most of the homes here are just one floor and they don't have any sort of basement/cellar. I don't think any of the houses here have heating either. For the first week I was here I was freezing though i'm starting to get used to the climate now. It's usually about 65 degrees (18.5 celsius) in the day time and it dips down to about 50 (10 celsius) at night. New Zealand is just getting over the winter and around December is when it really starts to get hot so I can't wait for that. If there is one thing i'm glad of it's missing the New England winter. Don't get me wrong, I like snow but just in moderate amounts and preferably on mountain tops far away from me and my car.
Anyway, there really isn't anything to say or update. I'm basically living in New Zealand at the moment, haven't done anything too exciting here though I am starting a temp job tomorrow so hopefully i'll save a bit more money to travel. I haven't actually taken any pictures of Christchurch yet but it is a cool little city. Lots of parks and huge town centre with cobble stone streets with a big church. Apparently there is red light district here though I haven't really seen that yet. There are lots of strip clubs and sex shops as well. An interesting city. You have a big massive church and then about 2 blocks away a bunch of sex stores.
September 24th, 2006 - 23:59
New Zealand is awesome!