Taking Off

Here we are at the Smithers Airport. OK, I know I was really keen on an adventure. But by this time I'm realizing that I'm not much of an adventurer. The antici --- pation was too much for me. I couldn't sleep for days before the trip . . . a combination of excitement and sheer terror -- and I was not looking forward to the flight. But really, what were the options at this point. Step off the cliff.

Getting Here

Well, the thing that will always stand out in my memory is the packing ordeal. We had to pack up all our personal belongings in the house, which added to the organizational challenge. Every item we picked up, we needed to decide: pack it? store it? give it away? Then we had to decide what was absolutely essential to take with us. 2 suitcases and 2 carryons each. Here is the packing station -- in the basement, on the ping pong table. The first time through I packed 9 suitcases instead of 8. Redo. . .

Murphy Rd.

Kia Ora. (Welcome/Hello)

I believe there's been some sort of mistake. It seems as though we've been shipped to Florida instead of our original destination. There's palm trees growing in the yard next door and all along the roads, the beach is just steps away from our house, and it's sunny as all get out.

Kiwis are probably the friendliest people I've ever met. People are happy to give a friendly hello and seem to actually care about each other.

Wainui beach is quite incredible. Nothing but white sand and surfers. From what I've heard it's the best surfing beach in town, so it gets a little busy at times, but it's not been too bad yet. (Probably because it's still "early spring," [aka summer,] and no Kiwis will touch the water without a wetsuit and a surfboard.)

"You Canadians are thick," ~ our house manager, Ivan, after hearing that Steven and I went into the water in just our "Togs" ( swimsuits)

You can email carsontworow@gmail.com (Carson,) for our phone number if you want it, but we still haven't really figured out how long distane phoning works here. If you phone us, though, that shouldn't be a problem.

We do have Skype, and again, you can email us for our username.

Auckland

[the following was written by your friend Carson]

Criminy.

We're here. Auckland airport (domestic terminal), waiting to head out to Gisborne, which will be in an hour or so.

The fourteen hour flight didn't seem to long at all to me, (mostly because I was watching TV for most of it). 

It's strange here. People drive on the wrong side of the road and have cool accents.

Anyhow, I suppose we'll send a Gisborne report once arrived.

Stay Sweet,

Carson

almost there

we are waiting in Vancouver airport and it is 4:30, flight leaves at 8:30. I am very anxious to get on the Boeing 747 i can see it outside and it is huge. anyway i hope to remember to blog more often

Steven