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Auckland, New Zealand
Dec. 8th - A drive around Auckland
Started the day with a walk at 6:30. I was
thinking about the differences between NZ and South America.
Rush hour traffic was racing by me. The workday is much
earlier here than there. Most people are riding alone in their
own cars (like the USA). In South America, the day starts
later, often 10 AM and everyone is riding jammed in busses or
taxis. The businesses are shuttered at 1 for siesta which
lasts until 3 or 4. Can you imagine all the stores closing for
2 hours in the middle of the day?
 Everything
is bigger in NZ. We had been thrilled to get to a city and
find a large grocery or a department store with some
selection. I suppose rural town folk felt that way when
Wal-Mart opened giving them some choices and competition to
drive down prices. Life is definitely faster here than San
Pedro de Atacama. Lots less litter too. We can never
understand why poor areas are littered. USA is as bad or worse
than anywhere. Ghettos strewn with garbage. No one picks it
up. Is it education or care? Surprisingly snack food selection
was better in South America than in NZ. NZ was pretty much
limited to potato chips, taco chips or crackers. Frito Lay
products were everywhere in South America.
 After
laundry and schoolwork was completed we were free to drive
around Auckland. AD didn't want to go to another museum. I
drove through neighborhoods to get to Mission Bay. It's a
trendy beachfront area with a lovely park and shops. AD played
on the playground equipment while DW talked on the phone. We
had to use up these phone cards with $ still on them.
I sat in the shade and people-watched.
After an hour, we drove through the Parnell district, one of
Auckland's oldest neighborhoods and then to One Tree Hill.
Auckland has a lot of major preserve areas. This is the
highest point of the city with 360 degree views.
 This
is really a nonproductive day. Our main focus seems to be to
use up the phone cards. Which DW did at the mall near our
hotel while I used the internet. Poor AD tried all of his
friends on the phone and got to talk to no one. Rain dampened
our afternoon plans of miniature golf. Seeing "Elf" became our
second option choice. It wasn't too bad. Right as we went to
leave I bit on a caramel and lost the side of an upper molar.
Fortunately it didn't hurt and was on the cheek side. As soon
as we get to Cairns I need a dentist. Dinner in the room and
early bedtime. Flying out tomorrow.
To Australia...»
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