Windy Wellington

Well, it's been awhile since my last update, so y'all better enjoy.

The main reason I haven't been updating my blog is that, basically, every day was fairly similar (in a good way). Waiting around for my Working Holiday visa, buskin', eatin', meeting new people, going on random walks to nowhere in particular, and enjoying live music. I've almost got my busking down to a science- I know where and when to set, what music to play, and how to dress and smile. I even got "discovered" about a week ago- a young Maori-looking fella came up and asked me if I was in a band already and how long I plan to stay in New Zealand. Looking forward to hearing from him and his band mates and getting one step closer to my new goal of Rock Stardom.

On Friday I received my working holiday visa. I can stay here up to a year and get a job at any employer in New Zealand. Already applied to two places. Trying to get this done quickly, I saw a news story that the unemployment rate (one of the lowest in the world) is expected to rise to seven and a half percent by the end of the year. Luckily, I have a college degree, an exotic accent, height, life experience, confidence and a wicked beard on my side (I'm like Samson, only with the beard hair containing my extra-natural powers).

Some quick observations on New Zealand. It seems that it has become home to the most laid back people from all over the world, especially the (former) British Empire. Scottish Irish Pakistani British Nigerian Iraqi Indian Chinese all basically chilling out in a peaceful corner and beautiful of the world. There is a sense of pride in the Maori people that is found in their own communities and in the resident pakeha, ("honkeys"). Maori is next to the English on all official government buildings.

Been awfully windy and rainy the last week. I guess the weather is conspiring to keep me from getting home sick!

Kiwis are blatant jaywalkers, and (wisely) very cautious about the sun.

Here's an example of what I would eat in an average day:

Breakfast: Coffee, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and a bowl of Wheat-Bix with kiwifruit and milk.

Lunch: Cheese Tortellini, spiral pasta and cheddar cheese mixed with fish fillet (the "t" is not silent here!), peas, fried peppers and broccoli.

Dinner: Couscous with corn, peas, peppers, peanut butter, raisins ("sultanas") and sweet/spicy chili sauce.

Yum.

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