Arrival in New Zealand

Hello from New Zealand!!!

I just arrived this weekend in Christchurch, South Island NZ. After a grueling 13 hr flight from LAX to Auckland, and then a short hop to Christchurch, I arrived in New Zealand eaaaarrly sunday morning (would be saturday about noon your time). There are 18 people total from the US in the IES group, and we all hung out that first day and over orientation, so we've gotten to know each other pretty well. The first day we just hung out in a motel by campus, and hung out while people came in from the airport. We walked around the campus a little bit, and went to a supermarket to get some food. Some of the food is so weird. Granted, youd expect different brands and different foods, but i saw at least a couple instances of the same exact food by the same company called something else. And they dont refridgerate eggs in the supermarket! They're just sitting on a shelf... Other than just a couple little things like that, there havent been many remarkable differences between the US and NZ. The one thats gonna get me the most for the first couple weeks is that they drive on the opposite side of the road. So the first day when we drove to the market, i kept thinking as we turned "AHH! there's a car coming right at us!" Then there's the different spelling and slang words and phrases. And there is no tipping in resturaunts either, except at very touristy places. Overall though, it hasnt been a huge difference, and the differences I do see I'm getting accustomed to pretty well.

And of course, I've used my new NZ abilities to buy my first legal drink in a bar during our orientation.

Well I'm on a computer in the International student support place, so I cant stay on for very long. I wanted to let you all know i got here and I'm having a great time. I'll leave you contact information so you can talk to me whenever you want. I'll send out more details about life here so far when i have time later.

*Email anytime gherschler@gmail.com

*or I'll get on AIM soon: bmunichman

*my international cell phone (may be expensive for you, free for me if you call me) +64 21 221 3439 . So from the US you dial 011 64 21 221 3439

*Or my US virtual number (US call for you) 1 310 598 1734

*I have a room phone too, I'll send that and my mailing address later

Keep in mind the time difference, NZ is 5 hrs back, a day forward from Pacific time.

Hope you guys are having a good summer and I'll talk to you soon!