Laundry list of my day.

Today was eventful. Things that I did today:

1. Freaked out about money.
2. Freaked out about getting a job.
3. Panicked when the Immigration office said they needed proof of me having more funds than I had.
4. Convinced the lady at Immigration that I had enough money (just barely). Emailed a pdf of the required paperwork (my new computer is so cool, by the way).
5. Got a notice that my permit was approved and passport in the mail less than 10 minutes after sending in my info. NZ Immigration evidently does not mess around!
6. Emailed a winery that I had fell in love with. Check them out at http://www.neudorf.co.nz/
7. Took the bike from the hostel, rode down-town, got a deliciously strong mocha. Not sure if I like the fact that I have become addicted to coffee.
8. Went to the cathedral, had a semi-religious experience.
9. Found cheap produce. I have no idea why, but NZ carrots are not only so unbelievably good, but also really cheap. I have a feeling I might be living off carrots.
10. Road bike to the beach. Discovered cheap smoked fish (~$0.75 USD a lb for good smoked fish). Discovered cheap fish and chips! (I got a meal for under $3.50 USD, which in the land where every restaurant costs at least 1.5-2 times what it would in the states, this is huge!) Might live off carrots and smoked fish... what a diet!
11. About eaten by seagulls. Eating freshly fried fish and chips on the dock is dangerous!
12. Got a flat on bike, had to walk the ~10 km back to the hostel in the dark, in the drizzling rain. Found ginger beer along the way.
13. Got email from winery. They are not currently hiring, but would be happy to show me around.

Now I need to figure out a way to get to this winery. I figure it would not hurt to get to meet them and get my foot in the door. These guys seem super cool, and happen to be one of the top 5-6 wineries in the country... so, it certainly cannot hurt. They are kind of up in the hills, and not on any bus route.

Still trying to figure out if I should buy a car. I think it would be really helpful in the long run, but my finances are a little tight until I get paid work, and I feel nervous spending the money that I might need later this year. Of course, if I had a car, getting to the winery would be no issue, as would touring other wineries (which tend to be out of the way and such). I would be able to re-coop most of my investment since I will be leaving NZ just as all the backpackers descend on the poor country, and many of them will be looking for cars.

The hostel I am staying at is nice though. I have been told by another American that it makes a good "base." It costs about $13 USD a night, and has free internet. The free internet is actually a big thing... It is not as common here as in the states, with practically no coffee shops having it, and internet cafes charging for it. It is also very clean, with a mostly helpful staff, a big, well equipped kitchen, free tea, oil and spices, and nice beds.

I have purchased enough food to eat for the next 4-5 days, I figure. Food is expensive here! I am keeping an ear out for hostels that will trade a couple of hours work for free lodging. I am planning on living on a shoe-string till work pans out.

That is about it! :)

~ matt