Another post for now. I've been bad with keeping this up. This week has been super busy so far with the APO, which I'm having a lot of fun playing in. It's definitely keeping me on my toes!

Went into downtown a few days ago with Camille to do some shopping, but we didn't get very far because we found this really nice cafe to stop for lunch. Doesn't it kind of look like an old museum?

Camille snapped this shot of me at the table.

Here's another shot from Camille and Carl's backyard with Carl's siblings:

I haven't been too touristy yet with seeing a lot of stuff, mainly because I haven't had the time and money, I hope to get out to do more stuff when I have some time off, and the blog shall be updated then....

Next post. I don't have reliable internet yet so I can't post a ton.

Just got done my first concert with the APO and it went well. Queen of Sheba was the biggest thing on this program, and we got nice compliments from lots of people which was nice to hear.

I now have a week off from the orchestra in which I hope to get more settled, hopefully have internet in the apartment I just moved into, and practice and make reeds and such. I'll try to head out to a beach or something too if I can.

Speaking of, we went to Murawai Beach the other day, and got body boards to ride the waves in the Tasman Sea, which was really fun. Afterwards, we walked up a cliff and saw a colony of gannet birds all flocked together on sections of cliff and land.

Camille snapped this shot of me towards the top of the cliff.

Isn't it nice??

Other random weird things about this country:

I went to buy some kiwifruit today, and the market said it was product of Italy. What???

Also, in a store, if something costs say $3.82, and you give $5 for it, you'll receive $1.20 back. There are no pennies and I don't think 5 cent coins either.

Also, there is no tipping whatsoever done in restaurants or bars. And because of this, the service sucks. All taxes are included in the prices of everything, which is convenient in some ways.

Until next time, whenever that is.

I'm here

I have arrived. No problems with snow or planes or anything.

Camille and Carl were there to pick me up right away when I arrived, and we didn't waste any time going to do stuff. We went up Mt. Eden to see some beautiful views of the city and to have a light snack. Here's a quick shot I took of the Auckland skyline, with the Skytower in prominent view.

We then went by the APO office to get music and to get acquainted with the rehearsal space and such.

I'm now just chilling out at their place but will run some errands later. I'm loving it a lot so far! It's so warm and pleasant here.

Here's a pic of me and Camille on Mt. Eden. OK time to go learn more about the city and maybe find a place to live!

Beginning

Hello readers,

This may be a blog about my travels to New Zealand this coming year. I have never done a blog before, so it might be a little weird for a while. I mainly would like to have this up to post a lot of pictures and to not write a lot, so we will see what it turns into.

As of now, it is snowing like crazy in Philadelphia, we will see if I'll be able to get out in two days or not. I'm hoping that I can, but it could be wishful thinking? Cross your fingers for me!