Kia Ora!

The nice man who sat next to me on the plane taught me to say Kia Ora, Welcome. He was indeed very welcoming and even gave me his address and phone number "in case I was ever in West Auckland" and wanted to stay with his family. Fortunately I slept most of the plane ride, but I apparently also picked up a tapeworm on the plane since I am still hungry this evening after eating not one but two dinners here in Auckland - fortunately there are plenty of sushi restaurants and fresh fish and chips to be had. The weather is beautiful and the sun just went down at 9:00.

The most confusing thing about Auckland so far has been the traffic pattern - I have to look the opposite way that I am used to in order to check oncoming traffic when I cross the street since cars drive on the left. Sometimes the pedestrians have complete right of way in all directions and the cars just wait - it's a mad dash all over. But Auckland is taking special care to make sure I feel at home: on the bus ride into the city from the airport, I passed a restaurant called "Burger Wisconsin." (Yes, really. And I thought we were famous for brats.)

The nice man on the plane also taught me that Wh in Maori is pronounced Ph. This was especially helpful when I was talking on the phone with my soon-to-be-host at the first farm (three hours north of Auckland); she said that I should take the bus to Whakapara. I nearly choked but then remembered that crazy Wh... I leave tomorrow afternoon for the Hikurangi (Whakapara is just the bus stop fortunately). I can't wait.