It definitely feels that I’ve been here more than a week, I feel like living in Auckland isn’t much different to my norm, now don’t get me wrong, I’m on the other side of the world but it’s a large city and apart from the few daytrips out to different islands on the ferry its no more different to a city in the UK. I guess the only thing that really makes the city stand out from any other is the notorious Sky tower.
I guess when I came here I was expecting something else, perhaps something totally different but I think there is a lot of British influence here in Auckland so perhaps thats why its not the place for me. I read loads before I came and there were definitely mixed opinions on Auckland but I didn’t want to come in with a negative attitude, I came in positive and now I have my own opinion. I do hope that during my travels I get the chance to visit a real Maori village and experience their culture.
I’m in Auckland for another week yet but I’m looking forward to the arrival of my IRD number, I will then begin to move further south, out into smaller towns and away from the cities, somewhere less busy but still full of interesting people and places to visit.
So far into my stay here in Auckland I have ventured out to Waiheke Island and zip lined over vineyards and forests, I have visited the area of Devonport and viewed the defences from WW2 on North Head, I’ve walked along Cheltenham Beach and around Takapuna Head. I have walked to the top of Mt Eden, I have visited the War Memorial Museum, Walked along Mission Bay, visited the Harbour Bridge, spent a good amount of time whizzing around on the electric scooters and photographed the city skyline from several different angles. Along with all of this I have also managed to set up my NZ bank account, sent off for my IRD number and Kiwi Access card. I am now awaiting these items to further my adventure into New Zealand.
Apart from the non-stop squeaky beds and people entering the dorm and banging about at ungodly hours, Hostel life is pretty good, well when I say pretty good I mean its okay, well when I say its okay I mean its cheap and that’s always a positive which you cant complain about, not that I’m complaining about anything. Below are some of my experiences so far…
So on one of the first evenings I had here, it was early evening, I was still overcoming the jet lag and it was only around 6-8pm, I had already got ready to go to bed. I was in bed, eyes slowly drifting to sleep when all of a sudden the fire alarm begins blaring, I roll over and ignore it until others in the dorm begin to leave and I hear hundreds of footsteps clambering down the stairs. I consider to myself whether this is a real alarm or a fake one, I decided to leave the building as I assumed no sane person would want to evacuate over 100 people for a simple test. It was real, someone on floor 6 set it off, the fire Department was extremely efficient and here within minutes, they checked inside but within around 10 minutes everyone was allowed back inside. It was an experience though.
Cleanliness is pretty key anywhere you go, not in this hostel kitchen it seems, I mean when I first cooked in the hostel I made a chicken curry, I spilt some curry on the hob so obviously I cleaned it up, when i wiped it i must have cleaned up days worth of muck. People just don’t seem to do this. Most of the hobs are encrusted with fat and food, the sides are greasy and unclean, Plates and pans are left in the sinks, nothing that is washed is put back in its original place so it’s a real hunt to find the utensils that you need.
Lads, what the f**k, lift the seat before you take a slash, its not hard, every time I have gone to the toilet I’ve had to clean it before using it, its so grim, who knows what the girls think? Absolutely no need for it. I think I need to invest in some toilet covers!
Several times this has happened which makes me believe that this is just a regular occurrence in a hostel which when you think of it, it does seem pretty correct. Anyway, these people have like the least respect for anyone or anything, bashing and banging around the dorm room, coming in to the dorm and turning the lights on like its 6pm rather than the 3am it actually is. Not the nicest experience when you’re trying to sleep, but just another night in a hostel.
So it was about 8am in the morning, around the time I’ve been getting up and having a shower. Today I finished my shower and switched it off. Whilst I dried myself and got dressed I heard an uncontrolled fapping and panting sound coming from the next cubicle, obviously some guy was tugging him self off. I mean good for him, but quieten down with it, you don’t need to let the whole hostel know mate.
Privacy, there is absolutely no privacy unless your taking a hefty dump. But this is what I’m paying for, I’m paying roughly £9 a night so I can’t moan too much, I knew what I was getting myself into. Security, everyone needs it, I have a locker under my bed to store my valuables but I have everything in it because “I don’t trust no bitch”. But its true, who can you really trust these days. It’s an 8-person dorm and people go in and out throughout the day. The WIFI is free, although if you want to use it and get a good connection anytime between 11am and 6pm is best.
This being said, with all these experiences Iv’e had so far there are so many positive points I’ve left out about living in a hostel. The main one really is whom you meet, whether it be passing in the hallway, whilst cooking in the kitchen or just people you share a dorm with. It’s such I diverse place and such a feeling of togetherness here, living with strangers in a multicultural environment, literally amazing experience and I would definitely recommend it.
Whilst editing this post before making it public I received an email with my IRD number on it, the excitement really brewed up inside, so I now need to make my decision on where to go next. I can finally get a job! Watch this space!
“If its endurable then endure it. Stop complaining.”
Marcus Aurelius
Joe Bloggs 