Auckland, Day 1: I'm actually here

Well that was a travel marathon! The last few weeks have been exciting, as I've said my farewells to work, my old apartment, and had far too many drinks with just the right amount of wonderful people.

Some brief updates:

-Last night I got my first experience with solo international travel, and save for a few bumps and bruises to my delicate psyche I've arrived unscathed in Auckland, NZ. 

-My phone is a paperweight with lights and buttons at this point. I suspended my At&T service, and was told I could call in at any time to unlock my phone for an international provider. However, they neglected to mention I'd need to sync and update my phone via iTunes, which is on my laptop, which is currently 6500 miles away. Whoops.

-This is my first travel across the International Date Line, which is seriously weirding me out at the moment. First of all, the flight was 13 hours of complete darkness, and it was already nighttime before I departed. Also, it's now Wednesday morning,  even though it feels like Tuesday afternoon.

-This is also my first experience in a country where you drive on the left. Definitely failed the first test, almost got hit while crossing the street and reflexively turned the wrong way.

-In typical American fashion, after checking in and dropping off my backpack at my hostel, I've taken up a post in the local Starbucks to plan my next move. In case anyone is wondering: the coffee is (surprisingly!) better, the wifi is worse.

It's a foggy, cold morning in Auckland, but the sun is starting to show through and I think I'm going to go make something of my first day here.

Cheers, 

Jared