And I sit here typing on the hotel computer as my tablet had decided it does not want to charge, nor work while plugged in! Way to go PJS – just living up to my denial of being an IT (Information Technology) person. So we’ll deal with it. Funny thing is I decided to upgrade my iPhone just before I left and not only did it drop some frequent contacts (like Farmer’s phone # which has been in my cellphones since day 1!! ) but the bluetooth is not syncing my headphones, and other settings are just not quite right. Is this the universe telling me to go offline?!!?
Again, it is 5:30 am. I arrived in Auckland after 13 hours of flight time over the Pacific. Not as bad as you can imagine, but it did help getting upgraded on my flight to ‘Premium’ Economy on New Zealand Air. Everything was amazing, from start to finish. Huge plane – I’m talking huge! Never had better service in my life on a plane. Food was amazing, wine was amazing and the staff were just beyond nice and so accomodating.
Talking to other passengers on the flight in the wee early morning hours before landing, after getting maybe 3 hours of good sleep, I met a very nice older couple from Bakersfield, CA. They were heading on a Princess Cruise around Australia and New Zealand. We get to talking about our travel plans, then about how I got to LA from Buffalo – and Dan, the husband states he went to school by there in Erie, PA. Small world, here we come. He was from Sharon, PA and attended EDINBORO college quite a bit earlier than when I had been there. He also stayed in Centennial Hall dorm. For those non-Boro friends, that is the same dorm I lived in for my first year. Small fricken world.
Dan had actually worked at Sharon Steel out of high school in the foundry for a year. It was after working there, he decided to go to college. Really think more high school graduates should follow this path – do some kind of full time work for at least a year before deciding on the higher education path, if that’s the one they choose.
So back to why am I typing this before the sun rises (here)? Well I was doing very well yesterday (Friday the 24th) getting to my amazing hotel, the Langham, Auckland, around 10:00 AM, and they sent me off to the spa to use their amazing facilities until my room was ready. Text at 11:00 AM – my room was ready. So get into the room, get settled, then I had booked a massage that afternoon, hoping to overcome any jet lag effects. Massage was amazing (I know I am overusing that word but it fits!) by a local named Sharita. Figured that’d give me a boost to go for a walkabout Auckland. It’s about 75 degrees, partly cloudy.
Fail – as soon as I got back to my room and sat on the bed – next thing I remember was looking at the clock (which is in the 24 hour format, so not really sure exactly what time it was as I was so tired I could not think at all) and thinking I really should get up and go outside for fresh air, and figure out dinner although I was still full from my airline breakfast. Never happened. Next time I woke up it was dark and I succombed to sleep.
Then up at 3:00 AM. Laid back down, but gave up. I was up and I would have to nap at some point later today as I have a big day in Auckland – it’s Boss time. That is Bruce Springsteen’s nickname for those not in the know.
PJSBackPack 