Countdown New Zealand

Countdown New Zealand Day 1

06/05/2020 by John 2 Comments

This is a series of posts that will log some of my thoughts in the month leading up to my moving back to New Zealand.

We made it. For the next two weeks we will be in “Managed Isolation”. I was afraid this was going to be at some unpleasant hotel right below the takeoff zone of the Auckland airport. Instead we are staying in a very nice conference center with a beautiful view overlooking a lake. Everything was handled so thoroughly and efficiently from the moment we landed. We feel welcomed and well taken care of. I’m in a bit of a daze from 30 hour of travel and little sleep so I’m sure I’ll have more to share once I’ve had some rest. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to follow along on this journey.

Countdown New Zealand Day 2

06/04/2020 by John Leave a Comment

This is a series of posts that will log some of my thoughts in the month leading up to my moving back to New Zealand.

We’re in Los Angeles. For the next eight hours. Here is my advice to you: do not fly unless you absolutely have to.

Our first flight of the day was from Philadelphia to Chicago. Almost every seat was full. No way to social distance and very few people felt that the crew member instructions to exit the plane by rows from front to back applied to them. Next, we flew from Chicago to LA. The guy in front of us didn’t wear a face covering the whole flight and was coughing and blowing his nose.

Thanks to having the right credit card, we are now relaxing in the United Club Lounge where there is virtually nobody else. It is an eerie contrast to the flight we were just on. Yes, the haves are not traveling while coach is packed with the have-nots.

On the plane, I listened to the Coronavirus NZ podcast . One of the guests said that only 201 exemptions had been granted to the New Zealand travel ban. I feel much gratitude to be included in that number.

Countdown New Zealand Day 3

06/03/2020 by John Leave a Comment

This is a series of posts that will log some of my thoughts in the month leading up to my moving back to New Zealand.

These transpacific moves are wearing me out. I hope this is the last one for awhile. Or forever. I’d like to say more assuredly that it is, but there are no guarantees in life.

I look forward to New Zealand’s peaceful shores. I look forward to smiling at people without a mask on. I look forward to doing the work to make Wellington feel like home.

But I also want to stay connected to my people here. This is something I have not done well during my life. I just forget. And then wish that I hadn’t forgotten. And then I remember but decide that I am too tired or that they must be too tired and that tomorrow would probably be a better time. And then I forget again. I want to be a better friend. I want to not forget.