Settling In

Hello everyone,

I've moved into my dorm and am starting classes tomorrow, which I'm looking forward to. I've been pretty impressed with Victoria so far. They've worked really hard to make sure we know about all the services and activities available to us. I've had a nice week getting to know people from my hall and becoming further oriented. I've befriended a few Aucklanders and am very glad I chose Wellington as even they say Auckland isn't very nice at all. Apparently it's a sprawling city, whereas Wellington, besides being artsier, has laws against expanding into the 'green zone' on all sides. Auckland is constantly abused here, along with, more jokingly, its people who are referred to hereabouts as jafars, which stands for something not very nice at all.

This past week has mostly been filled with activities organized by my dorm, St. George. It used to be a hotel (the Beatles stayed there once) and is still in the process of being renovated, which gives us all something to grumble about. St. George is in a great location, just down the (really big) hill from campus and just a few minutes from the fun part of town.

Oh, and we need to stop giving the Canadians grief for saying 'eh.' The New Zealanders employ their version (the same sound but spelled 'aye') much more often than any Canadian I've ever known.

Good morning readers. All is well in beautiful Wellington. I'm still living in a hostel with prodigious numbers of American study-abroad students and German postgrad students. However, I should be able to move into my dorm this coming Sunday, which I'm looking forward to. I've had orientation and enrolled in my classes already, so now I have time to wander the city and participate in all the welcome activities that have been organized. Today there is going to be a Maori welcome ceremony, a powhiri, which should be very interesting.

The city is beautiful. I'll post photos once I'm settled. It is bordered by the sea and by hills (which I'll be climbing often to get to my classes). It is also very windy here. Although when I mentioned the wind level to a 4th year student, she intimated that I haven't seen Wellington wind yet. I'm also working on my sunburn: although the temperatures have been pleasantly cool, New Zealand has one of the highest uv indices anywhere.

Also I don't know where I got some of the numbers I was giving people, but Wellington is in fact a city about the size of Toledo in terms of population. The total population of New Zealand recently reached 4 million (which was a big deal, I understand). The city reminds me of Ann Arbor in its levels of funkiness and things to do. Right now, there's a big arts festival on, and I've already gone to a few shows.

Anyway, with that I shall leave you for the time being.

I made it. Wellington seems amazing so far. All is well, except I have nowhere to live all of a sudden, but I have reason to believe that will resolve itself before long.

More to follow.

Today is the day.

Well I've spent the last several days trying to squeeze all the paraphernalia of my life into two suitcases. My bags are packed. My flights are confirmed. I guess I'm really going! It's hard to believe that this is actually happening because I spent so long planning for it and worrying about getting everything ready. Next time you hear from me, I'll be in New Zealand. That is assuming I make it through airport security.

Emily, signing off.