New Zealand tourism....

.... Is a Gold Mine, in fact. This truly is a playground for travelers, endless possibilities, and endless adventures. Why this place isn't completely flooded with tourists all the time is a mystery to me.

I should note some comparisons made to US tourism/culture, and NZ tourism. There is much to contrast, actually....

Kelli and Kelli, two AMericans decide to rent scooters. What is required? A short drive around a field to prove we aren't completely incomptent. What is not required? Driver's license, test, vision test, etc. So we cruised an island for 12 hours, sharing the road with cars and trucks. Our only instruction? Have fun!

Since the scooters were so fun, and we mastered left-side driving so fast, we decided the country would be be explored by rental car, as there is no "Deutsche Bahn" in NZ. Again, no background checks, although they did ask to see our US driver's licenses. Our only instruction as we drove off in our Toyota Vitz (affectionaly known as 'Vikki' now) was "no smoking, otherwise, it is good. No worries!"

Sand duning: one of the most popular spots in NZ said our handy Lonely Planet guide. As we cruised up to the top of NZ, we expected signs pointing to the sand dunes. Nothing except a petrol station marked "last petrol before the Cape," in other words, if you make it to the top, you better have enough petrol to get you back down!

Lucky Vikki gets excellent gas mileage (we aren't sure how many km to the litre she really gets) and we soon found ourselves staring at the face of many sand dunes in the middle of a dense forest. Where is the ticket booth? The warnings of iminent death if rules are not followed? The waiver? The directions!? and of course, the sand boards?!

Insert Sandwoman, the holder of the sand boards, located on a farm just 7km off the beaten path of the sand dunes. She lent us the boards, took our name, and sent us on our merry way with a reminder "Bring those back like good girls!"

Back to the dunes we went. Unsure of how these work, we spent 30 mins trying various positions to get us down the sand dune. We weren't moving. We tried running starts. Nothing. It was then we realized we really had to climb these sand dunes (imagine a snow hill, at a 15 degree angle). After sweating our way to the top, we tumbled down the mountain, in our boards. At the bottom there was sand in our hair, our shoes, our fingernails, everywhere. But the biggest thrill of the trip!!

So here are more reasons I love NZ, and in it's way, it's innocence. The people here have a sense of trust in the human race, and truly want us all as visitors to enjoy their country.

As long as, of course, you do not try to sneak chicken croissnats into the country....

The Kiwi Experience... thus far...

Has been memorable, eventful, and full of twists and turns, as we figured it would. The journey over here nearly didn't happen due to lack of organization and planning on our part, and also due to lack of knowledge on behalf of American Airlines of New Zealand immigration laws, which of course we read thoroughly.....

Enter SFO, 2pm, with a 4:20 scheduled departure time. Yes, a little later than we had anticipated, considering neither of us knew which airline we were departing on (I think it's Alaskan air.... or Air Pacific..) wrong on both. 

Put us in American Airlines check-inn center, once again, panting, short of breath, and sweating under our well-planned out "flight outfits." 

"You cannot check in for this flight without a return ticket" declared the attendant. 

In my head I knew with about 65% certainty that was not true. All the immigration department required was a passport, and proof of funds to feed yourself AND get yourself out of the country within a timely manner. 

"You must phone Air Pacific and check," which was the airline we were flying into Auckland with. "You have their phone number, correct."

Of course we didn't. At this point we do trust the system enough to assure that they would contact us should our flight be delayed/cancelled/changed for any reason. 

She magically found the phone number, and of course Kel and I were correct in our reasoning for not purchasing return tickets. 

We raced through security, and found ourselves sitting in our assigned seats just as the flight was boarding. 

Which brought us to LAX, where we savored final moments with our cell phones, phoned our favorite people, and cried over the thought of not seeing them for such a long time. We reiterated this was all a part of the plan, the plan much bigger than us. 

Air Pacific became our home for the next 24 hours, and surprisingly, they provide comfort and great service for people traveling so far. I can say it was the shortest 11 hour journey I have ever undertaken, and I did not even need the Benadryl tucked away in my luggage which I forgot to grab before we checked in. 

Upon nearing the Island of New Zealand, we watched a brief, but informative video on entrance into New Zealand. The message: "we patrol some of the toughest borders in the world." We kind of chuckled at that thought as in my head, I imagine New Zealand as two Islands of fun, happiness, and a care-free attitude.

New Zealand is an agricultural country, with it's greatest resources being exports of it's natural resources, fruit and dairy products, wool, wood, and paper products. It's citizens take great pride in protecting it's ecosystem. Little did we know, bringing any seed item or meat threatens New Zealand's natural ecosystem. Not that we had any in our possession except for Kelli's apple bought at LAX, and we certainly did not plant to plant it in a remote location and grow a new kind of apple. 

Rick, one of the MIF border dogs, managed to locate Kelli's apple, and it was kindly taken away. Now we just had to get through a series of questions, and an x-ray of our luggage before being "free."

Not so fast- an old smashed chicken croissant was discovered in Kelli's carry on, and we were promptly taken away to an area where the questioning began, the the most politeful way:

"WHere did you get this croissant?"

"Did you pack your own bag?"

"Why didn't you declare this croissant?"

"What are your intentions in New Zealand?"

Luckily, they only slapped Kelli on the wrist based on "forgetfulness" and gave her a $200 fine/entrance fee, and we were free to go, not without registering into the New Zealand agricultural network.... hopefully there are no more offenses to follow....

In all, it's been a great experience, even the customs police, because they were so pleasant even as we got into trouble. Aucklanders, also known as JEFA's, are some of the friendliest, diverse people in the world. Auckland has the highest Polynesian population of any city in the world, and there is a huge European, Pacific Island, and Asian influence here. We are here to bring the American influence.

More to come, oh there is so much more to come.... 

Greetings from the International Dateline.... where did Friday, Sept 4 go? Lost somewhere over the Pacific between Cali and Fiji, where I currently sit, sipping Fijian coffee, surrounded by mountains, international company, and the friendliest people in the world! 

And so it goes....

The journey has begun, phase 1 began last night with the ending of my career at the Nebraska Medical Center. No one ever thinks they are going to cry leaving a job that involves more feces, mucous, and other bodily discharges than any other career in the world. The patient's decided to give me a proper send-off, and secreted more bodily discharges than usual, leaving me to spend most of my day ensuring my patient's had shiny, ulcer free rear ends, and treating their TB, MRSA, and other communicable diseases.  I love my job, maybe that's why I cried all the way to my car, but man, this vacation will be essential to preventing early onset nursing burn-out....

Now, my address is South Dakota- and I will spend the next 4 days attempting t0 convince my mom and dad that I am not 'crazy.' Chance of success is minimal, so instead I will scare my mother as I move all my personal belongings into her basement. And maybe tell her at the end there is no plane ticket to New Zealand, but I just needed an 'in' to living in her basement.... hahahah it's funny, but really not!

After that, it is all in God's hands. But wait, it always is. 

My Country 'Tis of Me, Sweet Land of Liberty....

...Of Thee I sing...

I should have celebrated Independence Day with a little more jubilation than I did- I am afraid to admit, it's 10pm on 4 July, and I am about to retire the computer for the evening and head to bed- in full appreciation of all the American citizens exploding fireworks in around me.  And very, very thankful to be in America right now. :)

The times they are a changing....

Oh yes they are.......

At some point, my "stable"  (haha!) life in Omaha changed, and now I am remembering what it is like to be a traveler, so soon, I can once again, join the ranks as an explorer. It's been a long time coming, and I am prepared for the challenge. 2 weeks from now: move out of apt and become homeless....

Just spend 12 glorious days with Katrina- friend from Greece, and showing her the sights and the sounds of American life- which all include baseball, beer, jag, dinner parties, shopping, "clubbing...." It's been so wonderful to have her here- she's a consistent reminder of why it's important to travel. 

And now, I once again wake up to an empty apartment- no more houseguests, no passed out bodies lay across the living room, and with it, a strange cleanliness which this apartment rarely sees. Now, life is a daily reminder that things will inevitably change...

Still have received no word on the status of my Nurses Board Application. Just shot them an email today to see how many more corrections I have to make to my name on my application.  I realize, I am getting slightly nervous. In the end though, I have a plane ticket (one-way), a backpack, and enough funds to grant me food or housing as I backpack across New Zealand... The rest will fall into place, it always does. 

Still Crazy After All These Years....

"And we talked about some old times

And we drank ourselves some beers

Still crazy afler all these years

Oh, still crazy after all these years"

Thank you Paul, once again for your brilliant words!

This weekend was proof that the K-Team still has it. Luckily we haven't been sucked too deep into the world of work, responsibility, and insurance to do a little traveling and take on yet another town. 

Enter St. Louis, Saturday afternoon. Neither of us had any previous Missouri experience (oh wait, that choir trip to Branson, MO seven years ago...) but St. Louis remained unchartered territory. In typical fashion, we arrived in sweat pants after the 7 hour drive, our excitement increased 10-fold from the carmel apple suckers that now accompany every road trip. Map quest brought us without incident directly to the bottom of the famous Arch in downtown St. L. Not quite dressed appropriately for this occasion, we transformed ourselves from grungy pajama-wearing slobs into classy, sophisticated 20-somethings ready for the town. All in 2.4 seconds. In our car. A few snapshots later, we had accomplished the feat of experiencing yet another worldly wonder (we have our own 297 wonders of the world) and declined a ride to the top in favor of beers at a nearby bar (the ride was sold out anyway...) 

Walking through downtown St. Louis gave me a sense of downtown Sioux Falls- quiet and cute. Not what we were looking for. Especially since we had Paul Simon on our mind, and had been anxiously awaiting his live concert for our entire lives. Walking through, we couldn't find a place that was calling our name... Mutch says "hey let's keep walking and wait for a sign."

4 seconds later:

"Ladies! half price beers!"

That's all we needed. Into the bar we go. There was a sign of Rachel Ray on the front as this place's pizza was featured on her show. Must be a good place.  Insert 4 U.S. Army men. they had gotten weekend passes of the base and we could sense their excitement/freedom. 

"Girls! we haven't seen a girl in months!"

Creepy.... I thought. But Mutch was entertained, and I figured I could enjoy some entertainment as well. After conversation about Ninja skills, and their lack of female companionship, we set off, not willing to miss a second of Paul. And of course an exchange of numbers we would later regret.

Arriving in Fox theater prompted me to immediately text my mother and tell her to get her butt to St. Louis and check out all the dashing middle-aged men flocking the theater. Most of them were accompanied by equally beautiful wives or mistresses, but some were free agents. We quickly realized we were the youngest patrons at the event, and our creepy scope of the social hour only made us look like desperate golddiggers. Unless we wanted a lesson on colonoscopys or AARP, we decided to limit conversation with fellow patrons to just about Paul Simon. 

Sometimes when experiencing something so great and anticipated- like a wedding, or graduation- it's hard to believe at that moment that you are experiencing it. Sometimes I feel like it's an out of body experience. Now, I adore Paul Simon and had many of his songs on my IPOD. Part of my drive to see him though, is his legend, and his influence on the music world as it is today. So when he entered stage, I couldn't believe I was seeing Paul Simon... it's sort of unreal. One of his songs has been on my most played for a while because of it's significance to leaving. It's the Father and Daughter song. I had decided long ago those lyrics must be given to my father upon my departure (don't worry, I am saving Billy Ray and Miley for mom!) When Paul started singing the words it brought the first wave of incredible sadness that I have about leaving my family. It reminded me how important family is. I couldn't do ANYTHING without the love of my family.

"I'm gonna watch you shine, I'm gonna watch you grow. 

 I'm gonna paint the sign, so you'll always know

 As long as one and one is two, 

 there will never be a father who loved his daughter more than I love you."

Mutch pointed out that whatever the reason, or the season, Paul has words which can bring you great comfort, or joy. Or in my case, great sadness. These words can put into meaning what I cannot do. Once again, thank you Paul.

The concert was a brilliant display of true talent that withstands the test of age. I hope some of the artists of today can continue to display talent well into their golden years like Paul has. Who knows, maybe we'll find ourselves going to Britney Spears 40 years from now....

We de-classed as quickly as possible after the show, and found ourselves in an equally unclassy part of St. Louis. "We went from classy to trashy so quickly." Stated Mutch. The pouring rain did not help "class factor" (frizzy hair), although I still don't understand how every other girl out had sleek and shiny straight hair...

Despite our drowned rat appearances, we painted the town red, in typical Kelli fashion. There is no away around it. And we got up early, started the long journey back to Nebraska. And also in typical Kelli style with the comment: 

"If only Joan and Jean knew...."