Welp, I just arrived in Auckland. It’s been a long travel day but it feels good to be in a foreign place. Upon leaving in Seattle, I had a ten-hour layover in LA, where Ang and Nate greeted me at the airport with smiles and a bag full of four loco. It was my first taste of the infamous substance and quite frankly I couldn’t stomach more than a couple sips. After a lazy day in West Hollywood it was back to the airport for my fourteen hour flight to Auckland.
When I boarded the plane, only about 50% of the seats were sold allowing me to stretch out across and entire aisle by myself and enjoy some necessary slumber. Score. In between my naps I indulged in sub par airplane cuisine and entertained myself with the trashy Hollywood films they had available on the flight. All in all, despite a few “challenges” (err, stupidity on my part), I reached my destination issue free.
My bags arrived on time, phew, and I got through customs, successfully smuggling the two Baby Ruth bars that were requested. Bridget, my good friend from high school and former roommate at the U of M, picked me up from the airport, offered me a much-needed shower and made me a cup of black tea. We are going to explore Auckland a bit today before flying to the South Island tomorrow for our “dirty hippie” road trip. I hope to return to Auckland on Saturday with sticks in my hair, blackened feet and a memory card full of epic photos. I will try to keep in touch digitally, but I imagine my internet access will be limited. Until next time.
Day 9,531. Chur, chur.
Cherrettie
Forever Paisley 
Express yourself …