Orientation Week
I finished off Sunday night by going to the Flying Burrito Brothers with a group of 9 internationals. The prices were soooo expensive and four of us got a pitcher of margarita, which was about the size of one american glass.
We started Monday morning with international orientation. We had some general information for about two hours and then got a free (delicious) lunch. After that we did a 5 hour bus tour that I previously had no idea was happening. We drove around the city and stopped at the top of Mount Victoria, the beach, the botanical gardens, and Weta Cave, where you get a glimpse into the studio that worked on visuals for LOTR, The Hobbit, Tin Tin, and several more. All in all, I got really burnt and my shoulders have since blistered. I’d forgotten about the thinning of the ozone here.
Yesterday we did some more orientation stuff for a bit and sorted out our schedules (which I need to continue doing…) We had another free lunch and I went to the Library, a really neat bar and lounge, with Emma and Meg.
I ordered a pretty delicious pineapple cocktail called the Randy Savage and the three of us split desert. Upon arriving back at the Cube, a big group of internationals were in the lobby getting ready to go to the Victoria University tramping (hiking) club meeting, so Meg and I tagged along to that, which was held at a Welsh pub. Afterward we went to one member’s flat on the other side of Wellington for Taco Tuesday, which everyone must bring $5 of taco supplies and any alcohol they want. The tacos were fantastic and it was cool to hangout with some people from Vic.
Meg and I got a ride back to the Cube and ran into Charlie, Warren, and Martha outside, who wanted us to go out for drinks with them, so we went back to the bar with the bean bags (which I need to figure out the name of. I know their wifi is called Raging Vag.) We each had a pint and went back to the Cube to go to sleep.
Today I got up for a Maori welcome ceremony for new Massey students and got free lunch, FINALLY got my phone squared away, and picked up some final things for the flat, and got free dinner at a “mix and mingle” event. Afterward, I went to a night market and walked around Cuba St with a big group and then got drinks and watched a movie with Warren, Meg, and Martha. I found Bulmers at a liquor store, which is a fantastic Irish cider I had in Ireland in 2011 and haven’t found anywhere since.
