It is hard to believe that this photo was taking three months ago. It was taken the first day I arrived. Leo took me around to several different locations near by for some quick sight seeing. We werent going to waste anytime. I was going to see as much as possible as soon as possible.To tell you the truth, I have done heaps, but I dont know where the time has gone.
The journey started with a two hour flight delay in JFK Airport in New York. A trip where I was supposed to have so much time to kill inbetween flights I would be bored to tears, to a trip where when we touched down in LA I had thirty minutes to run aross the airport. I had to fight through crowds and wait in line. The whole time the sign above me flashing Plane to "Auckland" -- "Now Bording". It was a nailbitter, finally I told the security lady that my flight was bording, she got me out of line and straigh to the front. I got through security and ran to my gate. I was getting there as the last few people in line were getting on board.
Thirteen hours later I landed in Auckland, waited on line for customes and then stood at the baggage carosel watching the same bags go by me for twenty minutes. I had made the flight but it looks like my bags hadnt. I then went and stood in line to the baggage claims place. I had been farting around with this rubbish for two hours and just wanted to get some breakfast. I finally made it through the gates a little after 730 AM. All I had was my backpack and the clothes on my back.
If I wrote a book that is how it would start. Maybe a little more detail. That seems to be the start of a short story.
A Blast From the Past
When I first arrived gas was holding steady at 1.73 a liter, the Summer was whinding down. The days still long, the water warm, and not a cloud in the sky. Boys and young men ran around in jandals and had crazy haircuts. People walked barefoot through the mall and shops. Girls and young ladies wore next to nothing while texting on their two cell phones. Old ladies walked the streets in skirts and stockings, while old men walked the streets wearing shorts and business socks. And there I was straight off the plane from winter wearing a collared shirt with a sweater over top, jeans and my fresh Nike Air Assaults. Did I look out of place? Maybe just a little. So I did what anyperson would do to blend in, I lost the sweater, collared shirt and socks and shoes. Rolled up my jeans, I walked the streets barefoot and in my white under tee. It was all I would have of summer, those few weeks, I was going to take the most of it while I could.
Fast Forward to the Present
Now it is the present, gone are the long days and the warm summer skies. They give way to early nights and cold fall mornings. As I rise six a.m. for work blackness is still upon and the sun not expected for another two hours. Today is the first day that I can say cold weather is here. Iced over windshield gave over to a brisk cold morning. Delivering the mail not be able to feel my fingers. Underdressed for the day and boy did it show. Shorts and a long sleeve just wont cut it. I need the pants and my polo fleece. Lawns covered in frost just like back home, except it is the wrong time a year. As you all prepare for summer I prepare for winter. Leaves changing and falling off the trees. I feel like it should be halloween, but it actually will be only the 4th of July. My body has been thrown for a loop, confused as all hell it sits and ponders. It sits and thinks about those Christmas in July celebration at Greenport campgrounds. It is fitting for the weather down here, so I might have to do it, a christmas celebration for Mike and Leo. Our birthdays fall in July and so do many of my families. Tse-Tse, Uncle Lou and cousin Josh, Leo and I shall celebrate with a Christmas time feast to commemorate our birthdays and New Zealands first Christmas in July. So now that I am done blabbing, it is time for me to go and start planning. Christmas in July will be huge success.
And for those that have been curious, and I know how much you all love countdowns.
269 days till March 2009
