I made it to Dunedin! (Sorry for the wait)

 

I’m in Dunedin! I arrived right on time at 4pm NZ time Thursday/10 pm EST Wednesday. (By the way, NZ is 18 hours ahead of the U.S., not 17 like I thought.) Sorry for the delay in posting, but hopefully this extra-long post will make up for it.

 

Turns out I was actually glad for the 6-hour layover in Auckland. I was able to get everything done that I needed to and recuperate from the flight (which was actually 13 hours instead of 14, but still quite long). I actually managed to snag a quick nap on the <2 hour flight to Dunedin, thankfully. Once I landed at the Dunedin airport and claimed my bags, I found my taxi driver and crammed into a super hot shuttle/taxi with a ton of other international students (mostly Americans). Apparently, I was the only one that A) was not a one semester exchange student and B) didn’t already have a permanent place to live. (Actually everyone, kiwis included, has been surprised about both of these things.)

 

I arrived at Ruby’s flat between 5-5:30, and she and her “flatmates” are very nice. They don’t have internet at their flat, which is the main reason it’s taken me so long to update. I spent about an hour attempting to hijack random unprotected networks, and then gave up and passed out. I slept from approx 6pm-7am, and it was extraordinary. I woke up feeling absolutely 100% better.

 

So the next morning, we walked to the library so I could get online and let people know I was still alive. Everything on campus is within walking distance from her flat, so it’s a great place to stay temporarily. After the library, I had to go get a “Course Approval form.” You register for classes online (which I’ve already done), but then have to meet with a course advisor from every department in which you’re taking a class (i.e. physiology, pharmacology, etc). First though, I just had to collect my form and find out where to go. After that we had lunch at a fish and chips fast food place (very popular in NZ). Ruby and her friend Maya that joined us told me that is best place to go if you are hungry and have no money, so I’m sure I will be there quite often.

 

From there we went downtown to do some shopping, and I was able to get a phone. I think I can only call/text people in NZ, but I’ll go online and see what the details of the plan are. (It’s a pre-paid phone, so I can adjust calling/texting features if I need to.) Ruby and Maya pointed out a lot of important places on the way (i.e. banks, student health services, etc), but I will have to wander around exploring myself before I’ll actually remember where any of these places are.

 

The next stop we made was the place where I had to do Course Approval. I talked to someone at the Neuroscience table and found out there’s a couple things I should do before solidifying my course choices (boring details you guys aren’t interested in, etc), so I’ll do that this weekend and go back to Course Approval next week. (It’s open until Tues.)

 

Last but not least I stopped at the Accommodations office to find out about speed-flatting. The next time it’s happening is Wednesday at 2:30, but the woman working there gave me a list of people that are looking for a flatmate. Now that I have a phone, I can call some of them. Hopefully by Thursday I’ll have found a decent flat and some fun kiwis to live with.

 

We got back last night a little after 5, and I was pretty worn out from our long day of walking. Dunedin is quite hilly, and it was very toasty outside. I’m definitely looking forward to getting a workout everyday by just walking around everywhere. Once we got back, one of Ruby’s roommates made a delicious dinner for us (beef/vegetable stew and potatoes). During dinner, we watched an Australian soap opera called “Neighbours,” a kiwi soap opera called “Southland Street,” and… Friends! Turns out there’s a lot of American programming and music in NZ. Yesterday when we stopped for ice cream, “Livin La Vida Loca” was blasting from the speakers. It’s been so long since I’ve even heard that playing in a store in the U.S. that I had to laugh.

 

Also I met the guy who lived in my bedroom last year. He came over to ask if we accidentally took his mail, and ended up telling me how “top of the line” every individual piece of furniture in my room is. So far the kiwis have all been both friendly and entertaining.

 

I slept for about another 12 hours last night, so I think I’m officially adjusted to the time difference right now. This morning I headed over to the library (where I am right now), and found it all by myself! After I post this, I’m planning on wandering around campus/town for a bit and see if I can remember anywhere that we went yesterday. It’s doubtful, because right now I’m pondering whether I even remember how to get back to her flat. It should be interesting at least. I stupidly (but not surprisingly) forgot my camera yesterday AND today, so I won’t be posting pics up for awhile. But I have 2 more years to take pictures, so eventually I’ve have something to show you guys.

 

Ok, about to head out now to do some exploring. Hopefully I’ll be back in a few days with some more excitement!