Below: The Sky Tower in the Auckland CBD (Central Business District)
The day after Mike and Carrie arrived was a Wednesday, and energy was at an all-time high. We took Addie from the hostel raced through the streets of Auckland, running errands such as a dropping Mike at a medical checkup and chest X-ray so he could obtain an Australian visa, and acquiring a kiwi mobile phone, and a variety of other necessary accessories. We also located the state library where we could access free internet, and passed through a couple of other shops containing camera equipment and other things we needed.
However upon our settling into our parking spot, we discovered that Addie was leaking some fluid onto the street, and were immediately drawn to the issue that the fluid in the coolant reservoir was boiling over. We would later learn that the coolant was non-existent, and the car had been cooling itself on water supplied at an irregular basis by the previous owner, and that the radiator was in fact blocked. Comfortable as I am with old car issues, we rapidly sought a mechanic, but when we changed money learned that the mechanic was in fact on a “bad side of town.”
Mike and Daniel wait patiently as Carrie and I change money at Westpac Bank in the Auckland CBD
The teller was kind enough to recommend a different place, but as it turned out we found Lance at a place called Mt. Albert Automotive after we dropped Mike for the X-ray at a clinic nearby. In the end we had to return the following day, since it was already too late to start working on that Thursday. So we instead armed ourselves with plenty of water and made our way to a nearby Western Springs Park where we enjoyed an afternoon of fruit and spontaneity. The former purchased from Mr. Fruitee (one of several fruit vendors that pop up along the highways throughout the country, and the latter consisting of Daniel trying to eat melted gummi peach rings, Mike photographing everything and tripping as he chased empty garbage bags, Carrie frolicking in the grass, and myself doing cartwheels. The weather was beautiful and it was truly a splendid way to spend the afternoon, apart from the sounds of the speedway style racetrack just across the lake.
Mike frolics in the grass at Western Springs Park northwest of Auckland CBD
That night we headed in to the city, made a stop at the State Library to confirm the location, and then proceeded to a Couchsurfing meeting taking place at a local bar. Once there, we acquired more water from a gas station for Addie, and then continued on to meet Mexicans, Spaniards, Frenchies, Israelis, Indians, Germans, another American, and what have you, as we made our way through the crowd throughout the night, hoping against hope we would find someone to take us in.
And find we did: by chance. Debbie happened upon Mike and after some light small talk, he asked whether she hosted, and then whether she would be willing to take all four of us in. After a moment she agreed. She wants to be a fairy; she has lead a storied life, and now lives in a beautiful A-frame style home attached to neighbors of a similar caliber and interest. Once at her place she provided us with everything we could ever have hoped for, and when we had to turn in our car on Friday morning she even drove us out to take care of our errands. We all had a very good time, but she was truly a Godsend to us in every sense of the word. We are so grateful for her! She even agreed to put up with us for a second night when we discovered that Addie would be out of commission for the weekend, and on that second night we cooked a splendid feast including tacos, nachos, and some glorious spirits and sparkling grape juice. The night could not have been any sweeter!
Debbie bears her plate of goodness to the outdoor feast!
Debbie was truly a light along our path here in New Zealand and helped us to feel welcome and at home having only just arrived in a new land where we knew no one. Our thanks to her and the ways in which she has made possible everything that has since followed!
