Feeling Kiwi

A strange feeling came over me today. I felt like I lived here for the first time, and was not just a visitor.

It was weird sensation. I found myself knowing the streets and where I was going without looking at a map. We know the nuances of crossing the roads, and navigating the city, and have even learned a few shortcuts. Maybe it was more than just familiarity setting in, I am not sure. When I mentioned it to Stacey, she commented that she had felt the same way. Perhaps it was also because we had both gone separate ways for little bits these last couple of days, each of us conducting our own business and running errands. The real acclimitization certainly comes once we enter the workplace, but suddenly it seemed as though we belong here and it was a nice feeling.

In other news, we signed onto our apartment a couple of days ago. It's right on the edge of the central business district, within walking range to just about everything (including the most likely employers...hint, hint at Te Papa!). We also bought our car, a very cute and sporty little red Toyota Corolla. It got its "warrant of fitness" sticker and clean bill of health from the AA inspector. Everyone at the auto dealership insisted that red cars are not ticket bait here in New Zealand, but we know better. Red cars are ticket bait in every country that has roads.

Why do we need a car, since we live within walking distance of everything, you ask? Well, sometime soon I'll post some pics of the regions outside of the city where that car will take us and you will understand. Besides...it's a hatchback, and we are gonna have to buy some furniture. =)

-William