I forget the nature of business in this part of the world.

After 45 minutes of online searching for the ideal breakfast cafe where scuffed white low-tops aren’t out of place, and the menu is still fresh, we set out from our new hotel. (See also: Eric is not partial to the more creative establishments where exotic flowers are growing out of your crêpes, and most of my selections ended up being “too fancy.”) Heading west towards 2 closely situated options, we were dismayed upon arrival to discover that one cafe was belly-up and the other: vanished. I forget the nature of business here: no one gives two shits to bother updating Mr. Internet over anything. (This has not been our first experience with this phenomenon since arriving nearly 4 days ago.) Thilly Americans.

Anyway.

After settling for some nearby bagels–overpriced and decidedly yuppie–alongside a beautiful latte with gracious and redemptive qualities, I now feel properly fed, caffeinated, and prepared to divulge our current status report.

Have Done

1. Set up our bank account
Our biggest trial yet. Apparently large financial institutions aren’t so keen to issue cards to a couple of homeless foreigners. Oh, right. Homeless and unemployed. During this whole back-and-forth dilemma I mostly took naps of frustration, while levelheaded Saint Eric sorted through the mess. Bless him.

2. Acquire a new phone + NZ number
Our quickest accomplishment yet. The salesman asked a total of two brief questions (Which one? Name, please?) and we were on our merry way, with a payment of $39.95 NZD. By comparison, it took us longer to select toothpaste at the corner market outside the hotel.

3. Mail back my airport badge

4. Successfully hunt down the Kerry Rocks stockists in Auckland
Eric accepted this as an important task, and allowed me to add it to our to-do list between items such as “exchange currency” and “go to the car fair.” Both of which we failed to do, along with item #1: buy wine. Our to-do missions for today are quite clear.

-K