Loose Ends Finalized

Saturday, February 13, 2010 (am)
After the first few days of scrambling to get things started, we finally feel that today we can take a breath and enjoy. The first day we were here we decided, rather than sleep, we would try to get as much done as possible. First, the CSU phone we were given to use here in New Zealand would not work and no one we called could answer our questions. Next, the adaptors we brought would not work so using the computer was not an option. Then we went to the bank to open a checking account with the certified check we brought from our bank. The bank here has had problems with US checks so they will need to send the check back to the US to verify funds, so we don’t have access to our money for a month. It was kind of a lonely feeling that first night to go to bed without a way to call home, a way to email home, or a way to get money.
But a good night’s sleep helped a lot. We rode the bus to Hornby, a little village, to take the phone to the Vodaphone store. The young man promptly diagnosed the problem. We had been given the wrong phone number. He immediately fixed the problem and handed us the phone. Not only was there $59 credit on the phone, we can call a land-line in the US for only $2 for an hour. We will have to Skype Coy and Tyler. We walked across the street from the mall to a little electronics store who had the few adaptors we needed. Two problems solved. Next we called our US banks to see if we could access other funds we had in the US to tide us over. Our bank here said we should have brought traveler’s checks, but we were told that was bad. After all the banking I did to come here, not one time did anyone tell me I was to contact all credit/debit cards to tell them we were out of the country so our cards wouldn’t be flagged. We’ve had to do that as well. Moving anywhere is such a headache. Luckily the New Zealand people have been so kind and they speak English…at least most times we think they do.
We have a nice little flat (apartment). I would call it a tri-plex. “Sims” in what the complex is called and we live in Sims 3. It is small but adequate. You walk into a small kitchen, then a living room with nice television. Off to the left is a small room, an office. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, and a small bathroom in between. The bed is nice and we have plenty of blankets to keep warm. There is no central heating but there are two portable radiator units; one on each floor. The first day we got here it was raining. It was cool. Jack wore his jacket. It was probably only 55 degrees but the moisture makes it feel chillier.
It is beautiful. We have walked quite a bit which is good for Jack and me. We plan to walk around campus tomorrow (Sunday). Things look much better.