Welcome to Wellington

One of the big things that happened between last time we spoke was a hike along the Abel Tasman Coastline Trail in Abel Tasman National Park. The day started out with a cruise along and below crystal blue water and sky, respectively. This was followed by a twelve kilometre tramp along the coastline, made up of forest, beaches, hills, and cliffs. We had an absolutely lovely day doing that, especially because the weather cooperated so wonderfully – you see, the day was sandwiched between several days worth of rain and cold.

I will upload some pictures of the gorgeous trail walk in an upcoming post (read: when Emily has uploaded the pictures). But now, after a three hour ferry ride from the north of the South Island, we have reached Wellington (situated at the southern tip of the North Island). This is home for the next twelve weeks, serving as a base camp after the days I spend interning at the Royal Society of New Zealand and for the weekend outings that will take us to farther reaches of this country. More specifically, we are in an apartment two streets away from Cuba Street, which is essentially the nightlife street of Wellington. This is so good because I am really into the nightlife scene (note: I am not. However, New Zealand is known for its spectacular wines, so I am thinking of starting a tradition on the blog called “Wellington Wine Wednesdays” in which I review a New Zealand wine… depending on how much I like the wine, I may be more inclined to join the nightlife of the city).

The apartment – photos, again, to come at a later time after we have settled in – feels comfortable and safe. Though I think I am going to need some adjusting to living the city life. You see, Wellington, with its urban population of nearly 400,000, is the biggest city I have ever lived in. You actually have to crane your neck to look up at some of the buildings! For those of you have lived in Toronto, or… Toronto (which is the only big city in Canada right?), you may be thinking, “Oh Devon, you naïve boy!” But yeah, that’s the word I am going to use right now too because I think I am going to have some adjusting to do. For example, I’ll need to learn how to go to sleep to the sounds of passing vehicles, not crickets or toots of a train. Also, I will need to adjust to being one of those people actually walking to work instead of one of those people watching people walk to work. I mean this more in the sense of “I come to big cities for leisure” and less in the sense of “I’m lazy/have a skewed sense of fun and literally watch people walk to work.”

I’ll be sure to get some pictures of Wellington before I feel like too much of a local and start feeling silly taking photographs. You see, I’m a cultural chameleon. Not. However, I do find myself trying to say things like “thanks” and “excuse me” in a Kiwi accent so that I don’t stick out as a Canadian that much. Whatever though, I’m just going to embrace my status as a foreigner and pretend to be a student of the Earth, living, studying, working, eating, breathing internationally. Okay, I don’t know what I’m talking about anymore, I must be tired. This past week has been sort of a “wake up at 6am and start the day, 2pm is time for a wind-down with tea, 6pm I’m tucked beneath the covers” week. 

Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating with 6pm bedtime, but the point I am trying to make is that it will be nice to get into a bit of a routine.

Alright, it’s 7pm, time to hit the hay.