And You're Not Gonna Reach My Telephone

While living here we decided (with much sadness from Will) to just get cheap phones. Will is used to an I-Phone paid by work, so this was a big step down. For us, it was not worth the expense while we are here. We would really only be talking to each other and occasionally calling/texting future friends (*crossing our fingers*), thanks to Skype and Facetime for all needed international calls. Plus, the nice phones cost way too much monthly to keep up for so little benefit.

My Kiwi phone. Good ole Nokia! 

At first we were kind of bummed to only get 50 min and 2500 texts for $25 a month each. It was another comfort of home that I felt like I was sacrificing to be here (like Internet, Velveeta and TV shows). But only once have we come close to going over minutes because we were always using my phone to make necessary calls to hotels/power companies, etc, and never even close to the text limit!

Because of the small talk minute allowance, everyone here prefers a text to a call. Anyone who we meet says, “I’ll text you to set something up” rather than calling. I realize that people do that in the US, but I would still call if there was going to be a lot of back and forth, wouldn’t you? I have also had multiple business text me to confirm an apt or reservation rather than call. At my work, most people text families to remind them of speech appointments the day before. In the US I would never text anyone other than my close friends, especially not my patients!

Today while I was leaving for the grocery store I thought, “do I have my phone?” I then realized it was in my other bag, but I really didn’t care- this coming from the girl who didn’t even go to the gas station without my phone. I really only take my phone if I’m driving somewhere or am expecting a call/text. It has actually been quite liberating over the past few months not being so attached to my phone. If I get a call or text and I don’t see it until 10 hours later, I think, ‘no big deal’. In the US I used to be completely connected to my phone! I remember one day I left it at home and once I realized it, I drove back 15 min to get it. I wasn’t planning on calling anyone; I wanted it “just in case”.  Don’t act like you’ve never…

I realized being here that there is more to life than waiting for the next possible phone call or text! It’s kind of refreshing giving all my attention to the person/people I am with rather than looking at my phone or a text from someone else and vice versa. I really like that Will is not constantly working on his phone during dinner anymore (although he still has his I-phone to play with on Wi-Fi spots). When I move back to the US, don’t be surprised if I am not as easy to get a hold of "Cause I'm out in the club and I'm sippin' that bubb' and you're not gonna reach my telephone"  :)

Holiday in Tongariro

This past weekend Will and I went on our first trip outside of Auckland this past weekend. Will had the luxury of tagging along on a trip that was completely planned out for him. All he had to do was get in the car and drive occasionally. While I am only working 2 days a week, I am doing all travel research and planning for us so Will doesn't have to after work or on the weekends. It really is fun and I am quite good at it with my crazy love of organization!

This trip started on Saturday when were drove from Auckland to National Park. The drive was about 4 hours and was anything but ordinary. The 4 lane motorway ends shortly after leaving Auckland and all the rest of the roads are windy, narrow 2 laners. We got to see lots of hills, sheep, cows and sky. Once we got to our lodge we heated up some of my baked potato soup (of course I packed a cooler--won't see me paying for every breakfast, lunch and dinner on vacay) and snuggled into bed with hot chocolate.

Views from our drive

Our cozy little lodge in National Park

Our first full view of the alpine park! 

Sunday we got up early to hit the slopes. We went skiing at the Whakapapa ("Faka papa") slopes on Mt. Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park. This area is best known for the site of Mt. Doom from LOTR. This was my third time skiing and there was a mutual agreement that this was my last try at skiing before I could quit. After the first 2 times skiing Will told me he wouldn't let me quit until I gave it another try. So this was my last try---and I finally liked it! To be clear, I did not leave "Happy Valley"(the bunny slopes), except on my scenic chair lift to the top. The only downer was that you didn't have to be on skis to be on the hill, so there were lots of families just walking across the hill in front of me trying to ski. This part was not fun. It was enjoyable to be able to scale the hills side to side while looking out over the countryside (j/k I was staring at the snow in front of me the whole time). It is quite different skiing at Afton Alps in Minnesota compared to skiing on a mountain in New Zealand. So in summary, I will be skiing again, in fun locations, but I do not promise I will leave the beginner hills.

Not a bad place to ski, eh?

The Smith's at the pinnacles of Mt. Ruapehu

Mt. Doom from up close 

Sunday night we continued our road trip to Lake Taupo ("Toe Po"). This was about a 1.5 hour drive through the National Park and down to the lake. It was an absolutely beautiful ride, especially because we drive along the lakeside at sunset. Will even stopped to skip some rocks. It was pretty cute!

Monday we went to the thermal pools in Taupo. Taupo is in a big volcanic area with lots of geothermal activity. There are several places where you can soak in pools filled with cooled off mineral water (otherwise you would burn!). It is like a really big hot tub. It was very peaceful when we went in the morning. Later on we went for a cruise on the lake which was enjoyable. Because it is Winter here, the lake was almost completely empty making it very nice.

The thermal pools. It was sooo steamy!

On a beach at northern tip of the lake looking over the mountains

Tuesday we had to come home *sniff*. We stopped at Craters of the Moon geothermal park, then hit the road. The drive home from Taupo was about 3 hours. It's so crazy that so much beauty is so close to our home.

It was so nice being on "holiday" and we didn't want to come back to the real world. Even though I'm only working 2 days per week, it was nice staying in places where we weren't responsible for things and could just do as we please, together.