New Zealand: Auckland

Arriving in Auckland I had a long walk with way to many bags to reach my hostel. Conveniently though my route took me past the main post office so I could pick up my contract for my job in Korea and the other documents I needed. On the way I heard a host of horns blaring from behind me. I was thinking to my self that I really was back in the big city now and not really appreciating the noise along with all the slow, inconsiderate people getting in my way. My mood improved somewhat when I turned to see that the blaring horns came from a convoy of Kosovans celebrating there recent declaration of Independence with flags flying. I thought the flags looked somewhat familiar with the black eagle on the red background but I doubt I would have been able to identify it If I hadn't been reading about the vote for independence that morning. I think most people didn't have the slightest clue as to what was going on.

The past few weeks have been rather heavily influenced by my application for a teaching job in Korea. Getting all the required paperwork together in the right place at the right time has been a real hassle and has pinned me down at times restricting what I could do in the places I was trying to visit. Things seem to be falling into place though and it looks as though I will actually be going to Korea in time for the induction course. I was at the Korean Consulate this morning and my visa is being prepared. After that was sorted I had a flight to book but that left me at a bit of a loose end. I had gotten out of the way of having my time to my self and being able to just go off and do what ever I wanted. As a result I ended up doing almost nothing. My second day didn't start much better. I bought a Lonely Planet for Korea. I got a 20% discount but it still cost $15NZ more than it would have done at full price in the UK. Books are so expensive in NZ. I had some more very good sushi for Lunch and did some laundry. I was about to head out and explore the city, which was long over due, When I ran into Yoko, A Japanese girl I had met in Taupo. She was on her way to the casino with two of her friends, a French guy and another Japanese girl. I was asked me to come along. I wasn't too interested in going to a casino but I was heading in that directions so agreed to walk with them. I ended up going into the casino as I was enjoying having people to talk to. It was kind of interesting to see so many people throwing away so much money on a Wednesday afternoon. After that we took a walk down to the viaduct harbour. We ended by taking a Chinese takeaway to the Albert Park and sitting chatting until it started to get dark.

the blaring horns came from a convoy of Kosovans celebrating there recent declaration of Independence