Sawyer's still trying to get over her jet lag. Folks, let me tell you a trick. Just don't think about what time it is at home. While Soy was sleeping (had been since 7pm), I went out to a bar with a group from the hostel because, first of all, a free drink, and second, seven hours of sleep on a ten and a half hour flight is a big win! That's practically a normal nights sleep for the average teenager.
Our flights went smoothly, other than the Fijian security taking away my favorite metal spork in my carry on :(((. Even in LA we could already tell who was going to New Zealand to backpack. A guy using the brain of his pack for a carry-on, a couple with high tech Osprey day packs and hiking boots, another guys with dreads and a flannel (ok maybe this is stereotyping but sometimes you just know). And exiting the airport, Soy and I already felt like little fish in a huge sea of people who looked like they'd been victims of an EMS, LL Bean, and REI explosion all at once. After walking around the hostel, it was (and is) safe to say that 99% of the overnighters are 18-25 years old with travel-toned bodies, wearing unusually trendy clothing for someone living out of a backpack for months, and probably fluent in at least two languages. I felt overwhelmed and realized that self confidence is so relative; depending on where home is, you can either feel really special about your travel endeavors or really... not... because there are so many other people doing the same thing. That's not to say what we're doing isn't still amazing, but listening to some of my friends (1 British, 1 Dutch, 1 Italian, 1 Belgian, 2 Austrians, 5 Germans, 2 Missouri-ans) backgrounds and plans, one can't help but feel rather insignificant. Sawyer and I were in the adventure/planning help center below our hostel (for the shitty free wifi), and it was almost frustrating sitting there, watching beautiful Europeans walk in and plan their grand dream adventure in a rented car with all their friends. I guess I didn't like the feeling of not doing something original. And yet, everyone's circumstances and consequential trips are all very different, and Sawyer and I are definitely already making the most of the opportunities here (while on a budget).
Yesterday Sawyer's friend from Auckland took us on a small hike to a waterfall then to a black sand beach and some of the best New Zealand fish and chips. If you've never been to a black sand beach before, wear protective shoes lest you want to lose the bottom two layers of skin off your feet. Today we took the ferry to a volcano on Rangitoto Island, hiking over lava radiating with heat from the sun, through caves and along a beautiful coastline. Tomorrow we head to the first family we are staying with up near the tip of the North Island. Until then!
