New Zealand: Dumb things. Smart things or "The Trials and Tribulations of Sir Arthur Wellington Canterbury II"

I'm dumb: So today I arrived in New Zealand (whoa whoa, slow down there maestro; There's a New Zealand?). So after making it though all the hoopla that is customs (no I'm not declaring any of the wine that is constantly with me. get over it.), I finally made it out to the luggage collection area. Having realized I'd drank about 8 waters during the flight, I decided I'd better use the bathroom prior to my drive to Akaroa (over an hour away). So I waltzed into the restroom, and found myself moderately befuddled: "Only stalls here in New Zealand, eh? weird, but I'll go with it." Upon evacuation of my bladder, I left my stall and washed my hands. I then turned around, used the hand drier, and happened to look over to my left. At first glance, I thought it was one of those advil/condom machines but upon further investigation, I realized I had made a moderately large mistake using this bathroom; it was a tampon machine and needless to say I'd made a wrong turn somewhere since leaving Australia. I scurried out and felt somewhat lucky that no one been aware of my mistake. I can only wonder what the women in stalls next to me might have thought as they heard a small waterfall briefly existing eerily nearby.

Not so dumb?: Before leaving the states, I had a brief moment of clarity and decided to bring my tape-adapter for my iPod in the chance that my rental car might actually be able to use it. After getting all my bags and having the rental car company pick me up, I was finally able to get my car. As I looked into the driving seat I realized my small stroke of genius had not been for naught: there before me was a cassette deck. Yes, the car I had rented was old enough that it actually had a tape deck (either that or New Zealand is vastly behind the times...note to self: start buying futures in CD's for New Zealand). So this road trip will at least have a decent soundtrack (and I'm pretty sure some amazing scenery to boot).

the holy tape adapter

Other dumb stuff: having a $65 meal for myself. Granted though, this was NZ dollars (which are nubbs) and it was my only meal in the past 2 days, so I'd earned it.

Other not so dumb stuff: N/A. Check back later.


And some other random things of note:

-New Zealand does indeed have a vast abundance of sheep. Saw a Ugg-load on the drive to Akaroa. The tales are true!
-Driving on the left hand side, not so difficult. Parallel parking on the left hand side, somewhat more difficult (and amusing for those who got to watch me attempt it today).
-Traffic seems to have followed me to New Zealand as it took me over and hour to get outside the city
-I finished a book while beaching it in Bondi. This is a rare occurrence for those of you that know me. So be on the look out for 4 dark horsemen...and vast unrest in the middle east......oohhhhhh boyy...(That John Cusack was right! let's just hope his hottub time machine works and can save us all.)

Also, at 10:45 pm NZ time on 3/1/11, I felt my first quake aftershock. Pretty crazy, room just kinda wobbled around like jello.

View driving into Akaroa, NZ