Nothing of any great significance has happened to us since our last post, apart from exploring more and more of our new home city. We don't sign contracts and move into our new apartment in the CBD until Monday, so in the meantime we're still at our hostel in the centre of town.
Although we've resolved to save money, we're still in limbo without a kitchen we can call our own and so we've fallen into the trap of either eating out a little too much or foregoing meals entirely. But at the same time we're happily learning the ins and outs of Wellington, and how alive it is both at night and during the day. We've been going to gigs and pub quizzes, wandering up and down Cuba St. and Courtenay Place (many times over), climbing mountains, exploring Botanic Gardens, and generally doing a great deal of walking all around.
Perhaps the most potentially-significant moment occurred yesterday, when we woke up with a sudden change of heart about whether we wanted to live in our chosen apartment or not. Most people would simply dismiss this as nerves about rushing into signing a long-term contract - after all, it has been an extraordinarily fast-paced week in terms of househunting - but this didn't stop us from questioning our original instincts and starting to backpeddle on our decision, despite having already paid the bond and the first two weeks' rent. By the afternoon we had been in contact with our second-choice seller asking if the property in Aro Valley was still available, as well as the housing firm we were already dealing with. In the end, we were satisfied with the choice we'd made, due to the apartment's location, size, furnishings, and general straightforwardness.
Right now we've begun looking for jobs despite not being in our apartment just yet, and so once we're in and unpacked by Monday evening, we can really concentrate on the tasks at hand. Besides gaining employment, we also have to populate our empty kitchen with utensils and cooking things - not to mention food - and then try and make our new apartment feel like home.
Hi James and Emily
ReplyDeleteSounds as though you are doing OK, making headway in your adopted city. You may have moments of doubt but I guess all the decision making is part of the adventure.
We had Caroline's brother (David) and his wife Janet around for dinner last night and they are shortly to take a holiday in New Zealand. They would like to meet up with you when they come, in another month or so, I think and take you out for a meal on the house. So we're giving them your blog details. Hopefully they will be in touch in the next couple of weeks or so. They will be using a campervan also. Anyway if there is any more detail on that I will let you know.
Post your mailing address soon! I'll send some goodies for you ;) and a snailmail postcard from AMERICA!
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