When I first moved to New Zealand in March 2009, I took notes, pictures, and did my best to remember times while partying – sometimes better than not, sometimes not at all. I had plans to eventually write a humorous little travel book. Then life took over. I got busy, but I have no regrets. So, I think I will just share some of those thoughts on this blog. Starting with the mini beginning I wrote back then.
Music, Television, and Music Television
I did not listen to much rap music until I got a compact flat black Apple laptop Christmas 2007. There is no connection between the color of the laptop and my new music preference; I am just establishing a timeline. However, it is not a coincidence that as more rap and hip-hop landed in my library I began making more play lists for house parties in the place I rented with friends in Reno, Nevada during my undergraduate years. In the beginning these party mixes featured lots of Outkast and Gym Class Heroes. Then my palate grew to include Akon, Eminem, Llyod Banks, and I threw in some Blink-182 for nostalgia. This music was all good for the bump and grind, but nothing got the party rocking like Midnight Train by Journey. This song lifted girls onto tables, counter tops, and off the floor with an almost choreographed, “I love this song!”
I saw the Midnight Train roll through many house parties and bars in Reno, but in New Zealand it was Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon that energized the crowd into yelling and jumping, myself included. As the saying goes, “When in Rome…” But this was in Wellington, and Alcohol performed all the opening acts around town. These party hits are in my library, but on my flight to New Zealand in March 2009 I was reunited with my wingman: Akon.
I was quite inspired when I first heard the album Freedom by Akon. So much so, that I woke up the Australian girl sitting next to me to inform her of my discovery. Something to the tune of, “Listen to this album it will help you fall asleep.” She did not take my advice, and I did not talk to her again till we were about to land. “I have to use the bathroom” was the extent of our conversation. If only she had listened to Akon. He has been my wingman for two years now and I am confident I might be telling a different story right now if Miss Australia didn’t fall into a coma for twelve hours.
Upon arriving in Auckland, New Zealand I roamed the streets with the intention of buying my Freedom. Auckland is a city of decent size and I figured a music store is a sure find, or at least I hop onto the Internet and download Akon. However, I soon found out that I had left my power cable for my laptop back in Las Vegas. This is an example of how packing almost everything sober except a few things I planned on using the night before my trip can go wrong. Sometimes I think it would benefit my bank account if my laptop had a built in breathalyzer. However, in a rather friendly manner, the Kiwis directed me around to only three different stores before I purchased a new power cord and resumed my music quest. I was alone, halfway around the world, and I needed some Freedom.
I came to New Zealand on a working holiday permit from the United States. It is rather easy to obtain, and the program I went through gave us a comprehensive orientation the day after our arrival. We were set up with instructions to open a bank account, and most importantly, establish a tax inland revenue department number. Always remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch! After setting up all the ways to transfer my US dollars to the New Zealand government we were told about the culture. Different staff members talked to a handful of us Americans in the room about all the distinct features of the two islands we were set to roam. One guy, Simon, gave a little presentation on the capital city, Wellington, and I had a revelation. I did not need to buy Freedom; I had freedom! I was halfway around the world, and I could do whatever I wanted, as long as I paid my new tax agency, of course. Immediately after our cultural meeting concluded, I talked to Simon, who worked as the travel agent for the program coincidentally, and I booked a bus ticket for Wellington the following day.
