elleann
2nd February 2009, 09:02 PM
Today is our eighth day in Wellington - hard to believe! Time has flown by ... so here are a few thoughts and impressions:
1. Serviced apartment hotels: we spent the first week at Quest on Willis, then moved to Southern Cross Apartment Hotel. IMHO, SX is better all round! The layout is better, the kitchen more fully equipped and includes an oven, the internet and local calls are free, the quality of the furnishings is better. We only stayed at Quest because they had a special on the go which made our week there cheaper than SX, which is one of the least expensive options going...
2. Rental hunting: It took me a while to really 'get' how it is done here - the need for speed in getting to a viewing, the need for quick decisions once you are there - I'm used to going away, thinking it all over, then calling the agent to discuss things ... but here you have to pounce as soon as you like a place! We saw about six places and really liked the last one; it was offered to us that evening and we signed the tenancy agreement the next day at midday - will be moving in next weekend.
3. There are parts of Wellington that are really, really beautiful. There are parts of Wellington that are really, really scruffy and rundown. Central Welly is full of wonderfully exotic, bohemian types - and also has its share of oddball characters - my dd says she hasn't seen so many goth and emo types in one place in a long time and was surprised by the huge number of kids sporting dreadlocks and riding skateboards!
4. Homesickness: been too busy so far to miss anyone (except my son, who left SA just the day before us for his year in the UK! :wah) Skype is THE BEST for communicating with family back home! Even my mid-70s parents are getting connected just so they can talk to us! The only problem is, as my daughter says, that having to share just one computer really SUCKS - so now we have to think about how to handle that once we are in our rental. Anyone have any good suggestions re buying a good quality not-too-expensive computer or laptop?
5. Started work today and dd started school - but it is far too early to tell what these are going to be like, so will pend commenting! On the whole, all our encounters with NZ folk have been hugely positive - the friendliness, the warmth and helpfulness, the willingness to reach out to strangers has been just amazing!
6. Overall impressions: we love the sense of freedom and safety. Love the fantastic public transport here in Welly. Love the cosmopolitan culture, the movies and coffee houses and arty atmosphere. Love the views and the ocean and the hills and trees and quaint houses. But at the same time, we are trying to embrace the fact that it is going to take time to build up new friendships that we hope will be as sweet and meaningful and precious as those we left behind ... so are cultivating patience and hope and optimism!!
Linda
1. Serviced apartment hotels: we spent the first week at Quest on Willis, then moved to Southern Cross Apartment Hotel. IMHO, SX is better all round! The layout is better, the kitchen more fully equipped and includes an oven, the internet and local calls are free, the quality of the furnishings is better. We only stayed at Quest because they had a special on the go which made our week there cheaper than SX, which is one of the least expensive options going...
2. Rental hunting: It took me a while to really 'get' how it is done here - the need for speed in getting to a viewing, the need for quick decisions once you are there - I'm used to going away, thinking it all over, then calling the agent to discuss things ... but here you have to pounce as soon as you like a place! We saw about six places and really liked the last one; it was offered to us that evening and we signed the tenancy agreement the next day at midday - will be moving in next weekend.
3. There are parts of Wellington that are really, really beautiful. There are parts of Wellington that are really, really scruffy and rundown. Central Welly is full of wonderfully exotic, bohemian types - and also has its share of oddball characters - my dd says she hasn't seen so many goth and emo types in one place in a long time and was surprised by the huge number of kids sporting dreadlocks and riding skateboards!
4. Homesickness: been too busy so far to miss anyone (except my son, who left SA just the day before us for his year in the UK! :wah) Skype is THE BEST for communicating with family back home! Even my mid-70s parents are getting connected just so they can talk to us! The only problem is, as my daughter says, that having to share just one computer really SUCKS - so now we have to think about how to handle that once we are in our rental. Anyone have any good suggestions re buying a good quality not-too-expensive computer or laptop?
5. Started work today and dd started school - but it is far too early to tell what these are going to be like, so will pend commenting! On the whole, all our encounters with NZ folk have been hugely positive - the friendliness, the warmth and helpfulness, the willingness to reach out to strangers has been just amazing!
6. Overall impressions: we love the sense of freedom and safety. Love the fantastic public transport here in Welly. Love the cosmopolitan culture, the movies and coffee houses and arty atmosphere. Love the views and the ocean and the hills and trees and quaint houses. But at the same time, we are trying to embrace the fact that it is going to take time to build up new friendships that we hope will be as sweet and meaningful and precious as those we left behind ... so are cultivating patience and hope and optimism!!
Linda