October 30th.

So… this whole blog posting everyday thing just isn’t going to happen. I currently don’t have internet at home, so I have to head into the city to use it. I can get free wireless (you have to pay everywhere here) at the public library, but it’s extremely slow. It works though.

So here’s an update. I am all moved in a settle into my little house in Grey Lynn (I‘ll post some pictures). It’s about a 15 minute bus ride into downtown Auckland. It’s nice to not live right in the city. Here in Grey Lynn we have our own little main street with everything on it you would ever need, and it’s just up the road from my house (maybe 3 blocks). There’s a food town (a pretty main grocery store), a post office, lots of little convenience stores, a kebab stand (yum!), butchers, fresh seafood, a subway (I think they’re everywhere), a really cute café, sushi, chinese food and oh so much more. I have also discovered that we live about a block away from a place called Western Springs Lakeside Park. It’s by far one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It’s full of walking paths, big open grassy areas, tons of wildlife and a short walk to the zoo (which I haven’t visited yet). I’ll post some pictures below (took then when it was overcast and they don't do it justice...the water is usually aqua blue and beautiful).

I am also really enjoying my flat mates. Their names are Briar, Hannah and Sophie, but Sophie is moving out in a week. Hannah and Briar are the two girls that work at the backpackers downtown. Turns out that they haven’t technically posted that job position yet, so it may be a bit before I hear back about it. that’s not a bad thing though, I’m still waiting for my tax id number to come in the mail. You can’t work without it. But back to my roommates…we immediately hit it off, which is so nice because I already feel like I have a connection here. Two days ago I went with briar to her hometown called orewa. It was about a 45 minute bus ride north of Auckland. It is a gorgeous place! The beaches are breath taking. Last night we had a girls night and sat under the stars and drank wine. You wouldn’t believe the stars here.

also my phone number including country code is +0064 21 151 8483...i think it was wrong before. ok. all for now.

October 27th.

So yesterday I set out in the rain to find me a place to live. I had talked to a few people who had ads running on trademe (like the NZ version of Craig list). The first place I went to was a no go. It was a travel lodge so it has people from all over staying for all different periods of time. When I walked in the door, I suddenly felt about 10 pairs of eyes, all males, that seemed to say “A GIRL?!” needless to say, I didn’t stay long.

House number two was great and the one that I ultimately decided on. The two flatties (or roommates) are girls that are my age and seem super nice. Should be a fun place. I’ll have a large room with a curved window seat and an attached bathroom (even if it is over my price range). There is only one downfall. no internet. I’ll be moving in tomorrow, a day later then expected, but oh well. I’m spending the night in a bunk room at my hostel with a very nice woman from Scotland.

Also, these two girls that I’ll be living with work at a hostel downtown Auckland that is looking for a receptionist…which I would be terrible at because I’m so shy and hate meeting new people. So it would be great if I got a place to live and a job out of the deal! I dropped off my CV (or resume) this morning. Fingers crossed.

Other than that, I opened a bank account today and had some really good sushi. Wells Fargo sucks. And the jetlag is starting to set in… sorry no pics today, forgot my zip drive.

October 25th.

Whew…made it. I arrived in Auckland yesterday at about 8:30 am, collected my baggage and flew through customs. Apparently its quite easy to obtain a visa here. My friend krill met me at the gate, and wee set off in search of coffee and the big city.

I checked into my hostel (which is very nice compared to others I’ve stayed in), then headed down to have a celebratory beer down by the water. It was an absolute beautiful day, sunny and warm. We bummed around queens street all day which is the main street in the central business district (cbd or downtown). It seems to be such I diverse city. Every sign has at least 4 languages on it: English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. And everywhere I go I experience a new accent. I had some really delicious kimchi at a Korean restaurant pretty close to my hostel, followed by some gelato- yummy. So far I’m really enjoying things here.

I got to shower this morning, and it felt so so good. I grabbed a long black coffee (which is espresso and water…they don’t really have drip coffee here) on my way down to the water. A very nice man pointed me in the direction of a balcony overlooking the ocean that isn’t “technically” open to the public, but has an incredible view (see picture). This may just have to become a morning ritual. I also did some much needed shopping this morning for a few needed necessities.

I got a cell phone! The number is 021 151 8483. Hopefully this will help in looking for a place to live. Feel free to call.

Well, more later I suppose. here's a couple of photos to enjoy.

October 22nd/23rd...i may have skipped a day in there somewhere

One flight down. Two to go. It’s gonna be a long day… I started out with a flight from Minneapolis to Houston, where I have about a 2 hour lay over. Then from Houston to LA where I am stationed for about 6 hours before my 11pm flight to Auckland. At the moment I am sitting in a food court in the Houston airport peeling off layers because it’s 75 degrees and sunny here (and my feet are absolutely roasting in my smart wools- should have thought that one through better). And I have never seen so many men with higher heals then me.

Since the last time I posted, life has been more then a little intense. Last Monday my mom had unexpected surgery to remove a mass in her abdomen. It turned out to be a borderline malignant tumor (meaning it was in the beginning stages of cancer). By the time they went to operate, the tumor had ruptured, therefore making things a bit more complicated. Luckily the cancer cells were confined to the tumor and hadn’t spread. She spent 5 days in the hospital and is now home and doing well. She’ll have to have a low dose of radiation in about a week or so.
Saying goodbye to everyone I love was one of the harder things I’ve ever had to do. I am truly the most fortunate girl in the entire world because I have the BEST family and friends you could ask for. Everyone has been so supportive and positive about this whole experience, and I own all of them a big THANK YOU! I wouldn’t be able to set out on this adventure without your love and faith in me.

Along with all if this worry and sadness, there’s a lot of excitement too. I can’t wait to meet new people, experience new things. I’m already finding postcards with supercharged inspirational quotes printed on the back that have been snuck into my suitcases (thanks wendy). This was the first one I found:

“The finest inheritance you can give to a child is to allow it to make its own way completely on it’s own two feet” - Isadore Duncan.

And I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for the support everyone!

Here we go...

As you all know, in 16 days (eek!) i will be making the 18 or so hour flight to Auckland, New Zealand for a one year adventure.

Many people have asked me "why?" why now, why for so long, and why New Zealand. My response to all of those people who have so many questions has most likely been one of the following: I'd rather travel then look for a job, because i can, New Zealand is one of the very few places that I've visited that i think could feel like home, and why not.

So as it sits right now, i will be landing in Auckland, NZ around 6am on Saturday the 24th. After gathering my loads of luggage, I'll head into downtown to start exploring. I've booked a hostel for the first few night, and will hopefully find a welcoming flat to rent in no time. I'm also hoping to find a job in either the service/tourism industry or a temp position to help pay the bills. beyond that, I'll be doing some traveling, volunteering with WWOOF New Zealand (http://www.wwoof.co.nz/), and generally enjoying anything that comes my way (this may include buying a station wagon and a dog and going on tour, who know).

Along with the many new tasks that i will be taking on, one will be participating in Project 365. it is a blog based project focused around slowing down and enjoying life as it happens each day. it involves taking and posting one picture each day (or in my case, whenever internet is available) for an entire year. The purpose is to be able to look back at any day of your year and recall what you did, who you met, and what you learned. I think it will be an important way to keep me connected to my blog, motivated to post, and serve as a great way to document my travels.


Well, thats all for now. More posts will be coming soon. if you're looking for other ways to keep in contact- here are all the ways:


Skipe: gretchen.egeberg
MSN: gretchen6858
Email: gretchen.egeberg@gmail.com
Facebook: Gretchen Egeberg
Blog (obviously): www.gretcheninnz.blogspot.com

and a phone number and address is hopefully soon to come.