Well, tomorrow I start work for OMV New Zealand. I am excited that not only do I get to wake up at 7, rather than 5:30, but the 20 minute walk to work goes along the ocean. No more 45 minute drive.
My first week in New Zealand has gone pretty well. It was great weather, over 20 C everyday and no rain. There was a big 7 aside rugby tournament in town this weekend and apparently the Kiwis go crazy for this tournament. Everyone dresses up in costumes from cookie monster, to Indians, to pretty much anything else you can imagine. Often groups of people dress as the same thing. Some of them aren't even going to watch the rugby they are just here to party.
Yesterday, I headed North East, over the hill from Wellington into Martinborough. It is one of the famous wine making areas. We went to a bunch of wineries and did some wine testing. The valley where Matrinborough is, the Wairarapa, reminds me of the Valley in Nova Scotia only it is wider. The weather seemed to be similar (hot and drier than on the coast) and it even smelled the same.
Today I started looking at houses. I drove around with Ted's friend Graham, just getting an idea of what each of the neighboorhoods is like. Wellington is a hilly city and the hills in some areas are really steep. Depending on what part of the hill your house is on you may only see a very small amount of sun during the day. The New Zealanders seem to think that they live in a tropical area so houses generally aren't insulated and don't have central heating. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your house sees enough sun that you don't have to spend too much on heating and it isn't really damp. This makes things more difficult. There are some pretty fantastic views from some houses though. I am confident we will find a nice place it will just take some time to figure it all out.
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How great to have tech savvy children! I just got an account too so I can write you back. This will hopefully cut down on the questions we will have to ask you during the phone calls. Can't make up for being with you though, nothing we can do about that.
ReplyDeleteYou must be looking forward to tomorrow, we will try to call at a good time to see how it went.
You might also put here a couple more of the places that you are looking at so I can check them out. This will be quite a process looking for your first real home in a new country.
Now I understand why the NZ wool is so famous, you will need it to keep you warm. Are they ever sorry they don't have central heating? Does it snow or anything like that in Wellington? In New Orleans, Lou now finds it cold enough for a fire in the fireplace and her heavy sweaters when it goes down below 70F. They likely don't have central heating either.
Judy will be coming to see your dad in a bit to get help with her Economics course that she is taking through the Mount. Go Saints!