First Impressions

I arrived yesterday around 3:45 and met Bunnie (my supervisor and coordinator here) at the airport.  She drove me through Wellington and around the bay to Lower Hutt, and to my new home.  On the way she gave me some tips and expectations for my living situation here.  Considering I had been in transit for around 28 hours when I got into the city I think I did a good job trying to catch most of what she said.  Apparently food is included in the $200 NZ a week I am paying for rent!  It was super windy, and of course my eyes drifted toward the sailboats flying across the bay.  It is beautiful here.  I think around 75 yesterday with a bit of summer breeze.  It feels like the tropics though, super humid today and I can smell the rain.

I met my host Barb at her home in Lower Hutt.  As she and Bunnie were chatting I realized how different the language is.  It is still English, but I guess I should have taken those silly "Speaking Kiwi" books more seriously.  I wonder how this will change communication with my students.  The house is lovely, very open and bright and my room is a nice gentle green color.  She also has a great little yard and deck, complete with a close-line (apparently Kiwis do not have dryers).  And my absolute favorite part....JAZZ, a four year old goldie.  She is very friendly and sweet, and I know having a dog around if I ever get homesick will be a blessing.

Today I am off to find a bank and figure out the NZ dollar, and then I am off to the train station to get a pass for the month.