I spent Halloween wandering around the harbour, made my way to Victoria Park and watched a rugby tourny for a bit. Spotted an awesome looking french bakery called Paneton and planned to drop by the next day. Unfortunately, my last night in Auckland was so rubbish. My fantabulous 5 Asain roomies decided not to sleep and instead watch loud/weird Japanese TV shows, leave the lights on until 2am and fiddle with plastic bags for like 10 hours. Thanks, peeps! Needless to say, sleep evaded me most of the night. I gave up and packed to leave the hostel round 8. I found an awesome little cafe chain called HOLLYWOOD where there was a coffee and muffin combo for 3$, bargain! Got my trim flat white with cinnamon and a divine blueberry-bran muffin. Glorious. Walked back along the harbour for a couple of hours, went into some nice shops but had enough self control to resist any purchases. Go me! It wasn't easy, Lippy had sales.
I made my way back to the French bakery with high hopes. I was delighted to find the people who worked there were actually French! With the exception of a sweet, albeit awkward, Canadian barista (are the males baristas too, or perchance baristos?). Anyway my flat white was unreal, possibly the best yet. And I opted for the very risky pain au chocolate. usually, here in NZ, the croissants are on the hard side, more like pie crust, which I despise. And, would you believe, the pain au chocolat was perfect! It was so much like the ones I enjoyed when I visited Becky in Nantes many moons ago. Actually it was like 5 or 6 years ago... scary!
I returned to my hostel for my last shower for a couple of days. Sounds so gross, doesn't it? But relax, it wasn't by choice, just circumstance.
Took the airbus to the airport, its pretty far out of town. I checked my bags early, so I could meet up with a friend I met in Tonga without worrying about time. Well, dramas ensued! I had to repack/throw out a lot of stuff to make the weight quotas. Flippen training girls were out of control. Because of my layover I had to have an address in San Fran, but seeing as I had never been before I didn't have any on hand. I had to find internet and get a hotel address and say I was going there. Good times, then the girl couldn't figure out how to print my boarding pass and it took aaaaages. I was so late meeting my friend, she had to drive around the aiport for like 30 minutes.
We went to a nearby cafe for a late lunch or early dinner. It was ok, the kitchen was closed so I just got a bacon and egg panini. Decent.
Chilled out in the airport for a couple hour before my flight. Boarded to find I had 3 seats to myself! So awesome. I was stoked to be able to lie down. Sadly, I only managed to sleep a few hours of the 12 hour flight. Dinner choices were Osso bucco or fish. Really? Why didn't I say I was a vego?! Filthy. Well, Kapiti Ice cream was on the menu for dessert so I can't complain. I watched a ridiculous number of TV shows and listened to the Kids of 88 CD heaps. I need someone to explain Salt to me, I didn't get the end.
I got to San Fran late morning and took the train in. Holy culture shock. And I thought Auckland seemed big! Flippen heck, San Fran was massive and smelled of pee.Homeless guys were laid out all over the lawn of the UN square (or town hall, maybe?). I felt really out of place with my massive carry on bag. Got a bit lost trying to find Powell street (good shopping, I'd heard). Anyway, found it eventually after accidentally going to Chinatown first. I went to Forever 21 but was disappointed. Got a coffee at Peers. I ordered a small latte, but it was MASSIVE. It was at least double the size of a large in NZ. No way could I finish it. I found an amazing Urban Behaviour shop with a 50% discount on all sale items. Got a jumpsuit for $4.99 and a vintage dress for $9.99! TAX NOT INCLUDED IN PRICES SUCKS! I got so used to it in NZ that I was shocked every time I bought something. After shopping I tried to find the Golden Gate bridge and nobody seemed to know where it was! What the heck? I think they just didn't want to explain. I walked towards the Ferry Building and of course, could see the bridge from there. Crazy people.
So that was my eventful layover. Flight to Toronto was uneventful, the seat between me and this other guy was empty so we took turns sprawling. I couldn't sleep though. Watched a few shows and they had a Glee Soundtrack, the Madonna one.
Now I'm so tired I think I might be dying. I sometimes forget to breathe deeply enough and then I get really short of breath. Its a bit disconcerting.
I should really end this blog on a positive note. This trip has been unbelievably amazing. I know I am a changed person as a result of my overseas adventure (or OA as they call them in NZ). I would never have thought that travelling alone could be so good. Initially I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't make anything more than superficial friends, but I've come out of it with a handful of people that I will love for life (and already REALLY miss) and heaps of acquaintances who have played roles in making my trip so fantastical.
This trip has also shown me who my true friends are in Ottawa and opened my eyes to the fact that I don't need to take shit from unreliable 'friends' anymore. I know now that there is no use in making huge efforts with people who just don't reciprocate. There are so many potential friends out there who will make the effort! I have Josh and Katie to thank for that revelation.
Although I am going home early for weddings, I don't regret that aspect at all. I could not have missed these weddings for the world, and I am trusting God that this was the right time for me to leave. I couldn't have imagined this trip going any better than it has and although I'm sad my OE is over, I know that Ottawa holds new and exciting adventures for me!
LOVE!
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