August 21st and 22nd Monday I spent up at Auckland University trying to blend in with the students. To spend the afternoon on campus was a great treat. It was like I was a student again and makes me consider my graduate degree options. Architecture library is similar to WSU and UW libraries. Musty smell of old periodicals and literature waiting to be opened. Models of the Pantheon, Egyptian Step Pyramid, projects that could be built and project that would never have a chance to get off the drawing board. Students feverously studying for the unending stream of tests and assignments. The wooden desks were the same as that found in the UW Architecture Library (fingernail marks from desperation and other signs of late night desperation). I checked out the possibility of procuring a library card ... read more

August 19th All Blacks Game Today was the first time doing laundry on the road. I am proud to report I managed to keep my whites white, no transfer of color with these loads. The dryer didn’t shrink my clothes either; I’m two for two. This evening I went to the New Zealand (All Blacks) vs. Australia rugby game. It was a well battled match with New Zealand pulling out ahead in the latter minutes of the game. Final score was 31 to 27. I sat in row H, just 8 rows back from the playing field. Excellent seats!!! Rugby is a ferocious sport, nearly gladiatorial in nature. The All Blacks is New Zealand’s national team, with a large international following. I found the ceremonial Haka (Maori Dance) performed by the All Blacks the most interesting ... read more

Thursday 17 August 2006 - Island of Rangitoto Hike Today I will take a ferry to Rangitoto Island for a day Hike. The morning begins by heading down to the internet café where I send out a few emails to recruiters/employers. On the way back to my room I confirm cost and ferry times with the hostel receptions. I head upstairs to my room to wake the sulking British guy (Shawn) sharing my room to confirm that he still wanted to hike the island. (I guess I should explain the “sulking” comment. Shawn had been in town for a few days. From our conversations in the evenings it sounded that he did not plan his days with any activities and typically ended up wandering the city aimlessly or watching television at the hostel. On Tuesday I ... read more

Saturday / Sunday and General Observations For a tourist the weekend was less than ideal for touring. Wind, rain, fog, sunbursts, and back to rain. These inconveniences couldn’t stop me. Saturday I rambled through the streets of Auckland. The neighborhoods around the CBD include trendy and up-and-coming Newmarket and Parnell neighbors which offer quality café and shopping options. Freeman’s Bay seemed to be a blue-collar neighborhood with well kept homes and yards. Eden Terrace is a grungy neighborhood with inexpensive ethnic restaurants, tattoo artists, late night seedy clubs and bars. The viaduct harbor is a recent addition that cleaned up an area of town that for many years had been suffering from blight (a real eye sore I understand). The central business district runs approximately one mile in length (north-south) and a half mile wide (east-west). ... read more

In Auckland -- Day One Arrived at Auckland International airport at 5:30am Wednesday morning. Passed through customs/immigration without a problem. My sponsor had given me a list of documents that I would need to provide the customs/immigration office upon arrival at the airport (including bank statements proving that I had more than $3,000 US, travel insurance for the duration of my stay, return airline tickets, etc…). None of these documents were requested by the immigrations officer. I guess my rosy smile was all that was required to allow me into the country? I now had a few hours to burn before my 10am appointment in the city. From a prior experience in York, England I decided to wait at the airport as long as possible, no need showing up in downtown Auckland at 6:30 in the ... read more