Bangkok!

I've made it to Thailand! Although I did not end up staying with Michaela's family, I had arranged to stay the weekend with Priya, a girl about my age who moved here from the states and is interning with the UN and teaches piano, that I found on couchsurfing. Which, has been great and I'm so happy how things have worked out!

When I got in on Friday night, I successfully made got from the airport to Priya's apartment in the Ari area, where her neighbors were having a BBQ by the poolside. After more people showed up, many of which were friends and co-workers working for UNESCO, we decided to go to a local-ish Thai bar across the city, Parking Toys, where there was live music being played. Very cool atmosphere, different, but I really like it! The best of the two bands was certainly the ska band! Afterwards, we decided to go to Wong's, another bar closer in town that plays old 80's and early 90's music videos on the TV and is one of the few establishments where you can smoke inside (although it is illegal here too). After being there for a while I was sticking with Tristan, Priya's neighbor and coworker at the UN, to get home because she had to work in the morning and didn't go out, we left the bar at 4! Talk about a long day!

Saturday I woke up at 9:30 and bought my ticket to fly down to Krabi on Monday and back on Saturday to catch my flight to Kathmandu. Then I decided to get some sightseeing done. I took the BTS Skytrain to where I could get off for the pier for the Chao Phraya River Express boat to go towards the Grand Palace and where many temples are. It was really cool to travel by river to get to where I was going! I got off at the Tien Pier, walked through the Tien Market to find the Grand Palace in front of me, Wat Arum behind me and Wat Pho in front of me. I walked inside, wandered around, taking lots of pictures, and took of my shoes as I entered the temple to see the largest reclining Buddah. I left, walked around, with the intention of going to the Grand Palace, but got picked up my a tuktuk driver to go see the Laughing Buddah, drive by the Chitralada Palace, explored the Wat Benchamaborphit, went in to a tailor to see the silks and outfits they make and ended up back at the Grand Palace. Unfortunately, it was 3:30, and it was closed! So, I indulged in some street food, chicken skweres! However, I did feel rather Buddaha-ed out. I got back on the river boat and went to Khao San Road, an area known for backpackers, shopping and food. I saw Phra Summer Fort first and then explored Khao San Road and bought a couple shirts. I just couldn't bring myself to buy any trinkets because they will take up too much room, and really, I don't know who would necessarily want them. However, everything is so cheap I feel like I should. We will see, I feel like I'd rather get those types of things from Nepal or India. I headed back via taxi, where we got stuck in traffic, to take a shower and took the BTS to a housewarming/dinner party of one of Priya's friends, where there was also going to be other couchsurfers! It was great! So much fun, so many great conversations, nice people, excellent food and recommendations. I also met one of the owners of the resort on Koh Kradan, near Krabi, where I was going to couchsurf for the week. Such a great guy! Turns out he will be there next week, and another couchsurfer from Australia may go down as well! Anyway, turned into another late night, only until 2 this time before we taxied home. I feel asleep to the sound of rain and thunder.

Sunday morning I slept in! Very much needed! I took a dip in the pool and then decided to head over towards the Chutuchak Park and Market. After walking around the park first, I found myself encompassed with a sea over tents and goods. Any and everything you wanted was there. And so inexpensive! I can see why people come to Thailand to shop. Unfortunately, I am being a backpacker at the moment and had to keep my Western consumer habits at a minimum. I did end up with great gifts, or at least I think so! I did give in to a couple things for myself too... Again enjoyed some street skewers, and also had a 'detox' smoothie! Delicious. Afterwards I headed back over towards Priya's place, but then remembered about Lumphini Park and the King Rama statue there that I hadn't taken a picture of yet. Although it was getting dark I headed over there before heading back to unload everything. Then Priya and I went out to dinner :)! We had a papaya salad and sticky rice! We ate "thai" style via hand. There was also mint, cabbage and green beans on the side that we dipped in a very tasty, but spicy red sauce. Over dinner it started pouring! It gave me a whole new idea of what it means when one says, "when it rains, it pours." As a matter of fact, the streets were flooding and we had to take a tuk tuk home! Then I started to pack, update this, and upload pictures!

Bangkok pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/allen.jackiem/Bangkok?authkey=Gv1sRgCJORjuPe66vJ8AE&feat=directlink

CHINA

I have been unable to post while in China due to government restrictions on websites, including the one where I post. However, I did keep a journal of what I was up to that you can find below. I find it ironic, but rather appropriate that this post is so large considering it depicts my time in China! Picture links are at the bottom!

En route

I made it to Shanghai! Even after my close call with catching the flight due to detours and road closures in Auckland when Mason was driving to drop me off, after the day flight delay and difficulties checking in. The spare day in Auckland ended up being a little stressful because I had to call the airlines again because my connection from Shanghai to Beijing had not been changed. Additionally, I felt like things were falling apart, but now that I am en route I anticipate the best and hope that what happened in Auckland will be my only flight mishap. Regardless, I watched a movie and then slept as much as I could so I could get onto Chinese time since there is a 5 hour difference from New Zealand. Good news, I think I’m doing alright! However, I did just stand in line for a half an hour to check in for my connection to Beijing, and apparently I was too early and am now just sitting around. I am planning on using this layover time the same as I did in Vancouver, and study Hindi!

Beijing

When I got into Beijing on Saturday, I had so much stress relief because we arranged for me to get a ticket to Bangkok, and I got confirmation for where I will be staying, thank goodness! That night we walked around Houhai, a popular nightlife area surrounding a lake with a lot of passenger boats. Heading over to the Beijing Language and Cultural University we went to a restaurant on campus with notably the best lamb in Beijing. It was amazing! Following that we went into an area that is very reminiscent for Nathan of China called Wudaokou where we walked up to an outside table and sat down to have a beer. I was in long shorts and a tank top at 11 and felt completely comfortable. Very different from New Zealand!

Sunday was an action packed day of sightseeing around Beijing. I will say that I rode nearly every form of public transport, with the exception of three wheeled bikes. My expereinces covered riding in several taxis, a bus, and all 7 subway lines that operate in the city. It was a long day, 7-10:30, but completely worth it! Sunday morning, we woke up early to go to the Temple of Heaven because in the mornings a lot of elder Chinese go there to work out, dance, stretch, play music or games. It was a really interesting atmosphere, what I thought of as a lot of people, although according to Nathan it was really not crowded. I even got to try a Chinese yoyo with instruction from a man! The temples themselves were beautiful. Very typical of what I think of in China though with lots of ornate details (in paintings and carvings), red and gold, curved roofs, and lions and dragons. Nevertheless, its amazing to see in person. Afterwards we went to the Red Pearl Market, a notoriously famous market to get pearls and counterfiet goods. It was 6 floors high, packed with vendors. Afterwards we made it back towards our hotel in order to eat, and have my airplane ticket delievered; which is such a weird concept, but that’s how it happens around here! Following lunch we headed off towards Tiannamen Square, which really wasn’t that interesting to photograph, but at least I can say I’ve been there due to its historical significance! Following that we went to Zhongshan Park, an area with beautiful gardens and classic Chinese architecture. Then we made it into the Forbidden City, or the Imperial Palace, which is gargantuan. There are eight gates, with seven immense courtyards seperating them. All of which was packed with people. However, some of the best pictures I got! Also, throughout the ‘city’ were many famous sculptures I was able to get pictures of as well. These included a dragons, cauldrons, a sundial, duck, etc. Then of course there was the garden, which was exquisite! Exiting the Forbidden City we crossed the street to enter Jingshan Park where after climbing many stairs, there was a large temple with a buddah in the center and the best view of Beijing. Of course there was limited visability due to the smog, however, it was spectacular to get an idea for the layout of the city. Keeping an eye on the sun, we decided to head over to the Summer Palace where there are famous ruins, and beautiful gardens. Again, awesome pictures and a very interesting place to walk around. After dinner, we went to an electronic sales store, Zhongguancun, which was 12 floors, which had any and every electronic you could ever think of. There were complete floors dedicated to cameras, televisions, repairs, everything. Rather than buying computers, you buy the parts and the salesmen put together your computer for you right away. To finish off the day we went to the Olympic Stadiums, the Birdsnest and Water Cube, to grab some photos and walk around. There were so many people around! Turns out the city has turned it into a park, which by the looks of it, is widely popular. Very fun and fulfilling day.

I know I am a place in the world with one of the longest histories, but it blows my mind how much significance so many things have!

Monday was the day that we ventured out to the Mutianyu area of the Great Wall. Very touristy, but being my first time in China, I of course wanted to go! Mutianyu isn’t the closest sight available from Beijing, it is 2 ½ hours away, but according to Nathan, much better! On our way up there we had a bit of a bus fiasco, because apparently the numbers on buses don’t necessarily correlate with where they go. You have to look at the cities posted on front in addition. We were told to get off and grab a taxi because it’d be faster. Then we were told to catch the 936. We were told several different places of where the stop was. The interesting thing in China is that it is really easy for people to be confident in what they are tellingyou, although it is easy to get completely different advice for directions from different people. Regardless, we ended up getting a taxi that dropped us off for what I anticipate to be my favorite lunch here in China. It was a fish restaurant that raised fish in a confined pond where you could try and catch your own fish before they cooked it for you. So tasty! They way we had it prepared is called spicy fish, and it was delicious! After that we found a 936 bus stop and waited to get a ride up to the Great Wall although we were only 3k away. Getting there we took the cable car, rather than doing the 2 hours hike, to get to the wall, then walked until we reached a sign reading “No Admittance.” However, there were people past it, and it was due to the fact that full restoration was not complete past that point. We walked past, and ended up getting to an area that was less restored than before, Farther, we saw workers who were laying fresh concrete between the rocks. Passing them we reached areas of an unrestored Great Wall. The former 10-12ft pathway not only was overgrown, but the 3 ½ ft. barrier marking the edges was completely crumbled. It was so amazing to see! I felt unique J Heading down we made the trip back to Beijing and met up with Nathan’s host family because they had our plane tickets to Hangzhou. They ended up treating us to dinner at a famous restaurant for Peking Duck. It was such a great atmosphere with preformances that went on during our meal. These included a women who spun a vase, table and balance girls on her feet while on her back, a puppet show, a song, a changing mask man, and a song. Going home, we started to get ready to pack and get things in order to fly out the next morning.

Hangzhou

Getting to the airport on Tuesday we were informed that our plane was delayed an hour and a half, so we enjoyed a meal in the airport, as well as sitting around a bit so I was able to update this! The flight was short and easy. Arriving, we looked for a hotel that we had contact information for. We tried to grab a cab, but the driver told us we may as well walk because it was 2 blocks away. It is so humid! Much more than in Beijing. We end up walking past the hotel because the numbering on the streets does not make sense! We check in and look online to create a list of things we want to do while in town. The sun is still up, it’s before dinner, and we decide to grab a taxi to Xixi Wetlands, a popular tourist attraction and national park. We get dropped off and are told by men sitting on the street corner that it is closed. We walk towards the security guard who lets us walk through. The area is gorgeous! There is natural bamboo lining the stone pathway and we lead ourselves towards various Buddhist temples and a pagoda that gives a great view of the park. The temples were closed, but the lack of people was great. With the sun down we go to find dinner, which took a little bit longer than expected because people suggested different things, we ended up at a seafood place that we prefered not to eat at, although the atmosphere was great. We ended up at a Hong Kong restaurant ordering too much food. We head back to the hotel for a good nights rest.

Wednesday morning we wake up and head over to the West Lake, the main attraction of the city. It is also the area on the back of the 1RMB bill. It is a huge lake, with boats and an island in the middle. Much more impressive than Greenlake if you are thinking. Through the smog we see a temple high on the hillside, in addition to a couple pagodas. Walking around the lake, feeling absolutely sticky due to the humdity, passing vendors and men wanting to take us on their boats, we had already decided to walk to the temple we saw in the distance. We pass many gazebos on the water, and even a temple, King Qian if I remember correctly. It is decided that we should always have a water bottle in our hand. Hydrate! We get directions and find ourselves at the gate of a large park, also Mount Wu, and pay the entrance fee. We climb the steps surrounded by forests to find an impressive Buddhist temple. We walk to the Chenghuang Pagoda to find a full wall size wood carvings painted. There is also a two story stone etching. Absolutely beautiful! Heading to the 5^th floor, out of 7 because the top two are under construction, we find amazing views of the park with the West Lake in the background. The city is to the east, hills to the west and the Qiantang river to the south. Too bad for the smog, otherwise the pictures would be so much more impressive! Again seeing a building in the distance we make our way across the park and find ourselves there. Impressive views of the temple we just came from. We grab lunch at a reccommended restaurant and get food common in the south. Delicious! We get back to the hotel, Nathan goes to the university to talk with a professor, and I get a full body massage! Very relaxing and my muscles were very happy with me. We get back to the hotel at about the same time and decide to finally get hot pot, another classic chinese food that is eaten throughout the country, although spiced differently depending on where you go. Very cool! There was a cutout in the center of the table where a pot was placed on top of a heater in order to heat the water. Then you order raw meat and vegetables and when they arrive, you drop them in the water. Once they are done you take them out and dip them in a peanut sauce.

Thursday was the day that most prominently taken up by my banking fiasco. We still don’t know what was wrong exactly, but I finally ended up being able to get money out- which was bizarre and we don’t understand, because I was able to do ATM withdrawls in Beijing. I had been working up a tab with Nathan but was able to pay it off by the end of the day. However, in between that I still got the opportunity to do some sightseeing. Nathan had to go to the university again, so he wrote me a note that would be sufficient for a cab driver to get me back to the hotel. I taxied over to the zoo, alone, and went to see pandas! The zoo really wasn’t that exciting, but it was weird to see deer and sheep in one. I successfully taxied back and made some skype calls. It was a tearjerker realizeing that I my family was all together for my brother’s birthday and that this was prety much the first holiday/celebration I have missed. How things change as you get older! Weird, and I don’t know if I like it. However, it did make me realize how I should prioritize things in the future. When Nathan got back, we went in search of a market so I could buy Jake a shirt. After directions from several people of, just 2 blocks farther, we found it. Lucky too because a rainstorm was coming through. I found two shirts, very representative of the ridiculous things that are on shirts in China, and bought them in the largest sizes available. Remembering about the water bus on the canal we taxied over just in time to make it. It was great! My favorite part about being on the canal was the artwork under the bridges. Afterwards we headed over towards the West Lake again so we could see it at night. We grabbed dinner at a Brazilian buffet, in China, yes, with preformances and all. Then we made an effort to walk to the area on the West Lake that is on the back of the 1RMB. We walked halfway around the lake, as thunder and lightening began to start in search of the view. As it started raining we walked into a teahouse to ask where it was. Turns out it was on the other side of the lake! We should have walked to other direction from dinner. Ohh well! We though about going in the morning, but after waking up a little late, decided against it and I just packed for the airport.

Friday I got to the airport two and hours ahead of time to ensure I could get through security because I have a layover in Hong Kong, but I sat around updating this instead because check-in didn’t start until an hour and a half before. Ohh well! We probably could have ventured out this morning, but I would much rather be safe than sorry. Also, flight was delayed a chalf an hour. Then once we boarded, we were informed that we may be delayed for another hour. Thank goodness I have a longer layover in Hong Kong, or else this would be very stressful. I feel like all Asian flights are delayed!

Beijing pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/allen.jackiem/Beijing?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDziL_wovefvwE&feat=directlink

Hangzhou pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/allen.jackiem/Hangzhou?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfL39T50Z2jeQ&feat=directlink

Travel Mishap

Long story short, I am spending an extra day in Auckland; which, I have mixed feelings about because Mason is on an all day fieldtrip. So much for getting to spend extra time with him! Also, this makes it so I don't know if I will be able to go to Taishan area with Nathan because the train tickets we did have, we will miss because I will still be en route to Beijing. We will see what happens! The problem is short notice, so I hope that we can get another set of tickets. I also need to change my airline ticket into Bangkok now so I have a week in China. Man ohh man! Things to do! I spent four hours on the phone yesterday with airlines, I hope its not nearly that long today, although it will be what it will be. Frustrating! Good news: I woke up an got a pie and am now drinking an aloe beverage--soo tasty!

Waiheke and Rangitoto Islands

So the last couple days here in Auckland I have been able to finally get out on the ferries to a couple of the nearby islands. Waiheke is well known for its wine, and Mason and I spent the day going to three wineries (Copper Bay, Mudbrick and Stoney Ridge) and grabbing lunch over there at one of the few small cafes. While at Stoney Ridge it was awesome because the owner ended up coming by asking where we were from, how things were going and we were able to get her insight as to the excitement and anticipation involved in being a winemaker. It was sunny, but I can certainly understand how much more enjoyable it could be during the summer. Additionally, more wineries would be open for tasting, although this is true for later in the week and weekends as well though. The following day I spent a day exploring Rangitoto, a 600 year old island/volcano. There is nothing on the island despite a road and trails although it was sparsely populated during the 1920s and 1930s. For instance, persons traveling to the island must bring their own food and water. It was really fun hiking around, and the walkways were very conducive to running, sooo I did a bit of that as well :)

Pictures available here: http://picasaweb.google.com/allen.jackiem/NewZealand3?authkey=Gv1sRgCK6uxLKA0eHfpgE&feat=directlink

Back from Cape Reinga

So after spending another day wandering around Auckland, where I got some really great perspectives on the city along the water (see pictures!), Mason and I headed out north for the weekend. That day actually, I had a great little converstaion with an older sailor who had just come in from his dinghy to stretch his legs and walk around. I love how friendly kiwis are! Back to the roadtrip rundown: our primary stops were to be the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga. I had read about these famous toilets designed by Austrian artists Hundertwasser that were in Kawakawa and made us stop even though it was dark (winter here, we only have daylight until 6!). I must admit, the most ornate and artistic restroom I have ever been in! From there we found a campground around Paihia. In the morning we thought about taking a ferry to one of the nearby islands, but decided that if we had our own watercraft and more time, it would be more fun. So we went to the Hawara Falls trailhead where we took an 90 minute trail each way to see a baby falls. Again, a very pretty walk, with a very different feel and pattern of vegetation. There were these habitats called mangroves that we walked through that reminded me of a wetland, but more specialized and unique I suppose you could say to the area. Anyway! On our way our of the Bay of Islands we stopped by this local and recycled bead studio that was in a couple's home. We bought some glass beads and were given warnings about the north end of the island. As a result, we drove around for much longer than expected in order to find somewhere to sleep because we did not want to wake up to robbery to beatings by staying at the very north. Everything was great though and we made it to Cape Reinga and its lighthouse the following morning. I witnessed by 2nd viewing of very large bodies of water meeting. Such an amazing thing to see! First was in South Africa seeing the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, and this as my second seeing the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet! It is incredible to see the different colors and wave patterns, and then the clash of the waters. Then it was a long car ride back to watch the Hangover before heading to bed! (Which is such a hilarious movie, by the way!) I intended to go to Rangitoto Island today, but the ferry I wanted to take wasn't running due to the winds, so I am planning to go tomorrow so I will have time to go to the summit, and also hike to the lava caves! Time is winding down in Auckland, but I think I have explored the North Island rather well :) Nevertheless, there are so many things I'd like to see and do on another trip!

Also, planning regarding China is reaching finalization and it looks like I will be spending a day in Beijing, going out to Mt. Tai in the Taishan area, then back to Beijing to explore before heading down south to the beautiful area of Hangzhou and back to Beijing for my flight to Bangkok. Yay!

Pictures can be viewed here: http://picasaweb.google.com/allen.jackiem/NewZealand2?authkey=Gv1sRgCJmsntC7seLNlQE&feat=directlink

Wellington Roadtrip

Yesterday concluded our five day roadtrip to the south of the north island and back up! I saw a LOT of sheep, cows and farmland, to say the least, and ate out too much! However, there were highlights that I'd like to mention: stopping in Hamilton and getting an amazing wool and recycled fabric hooded pullover that I adore from an outdoor store called Kathmandu (which only reminds me how excited I am to go to Nepal!) Going to the lookout point on Mt. Victoria in Wellington where there was not only a commanding view of the city, but also if you looked due south, the next piece of land one would hit would be Antartica! Also seeing the capital buildings in the city and the boathouse! All very classy. Going to a beach just east of Kapiti Island and finding flattened and smoothed shells thanks to the currents of the ocean (they are awesome and I plan to give them as good luck charms!) Stopping at a black sand beach near Wanganui! Must admit, I didn't really realize that they existed, so it was really cool to see. This is also where I saw one of the most beautiful night skies I must have ever viewed, and saw my first invasive aussie possum. I phrase it as such because the possums in NZ were brought over from Austrailia for the fur trade, but have become a very problematic and invasive species. There are over 70million in NZ, and they are considered open game year round. The government will send you money when you send in pelts apparently. Back to highlights: hiking and staying in a hut on Mt. Egmont, also known as Mt. Taranaki. The wilderness or "bush" out here is so much different than from back home! Its a completely densely packed jungle. I have never seen anything like it. Additionally, there were a few ladders on the trail! Very cool :) Also something I've never seen is the way the national park around Taranaki works out. There is a circle around the mountain and when you leave the bush it turns straight into farmland again. On maps its pretty weird to see. Typically I feel like there isn't much of a difference between national park and the surrounding area, whereas in this particular case it is as clear as black and white. All in all, a very successful trip if I do say so myself :) Now I'm going to do some laundry and look into planning our trip up north for this upcoming weekend! Then depending on how long I spend doing that, I will go down to the waterfront and take a ferry to one of the nearby islands until Mason gets back from class. Living the easy life down here in kiwi land for sure. I'm loving it!

Check out pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/allen.jackiem/NewZealand?authkey=Gv1sRgCL-Euuuk3NbPjAE&feat=directlink

So far in NZ

New Zealand has been awesome so far! Mason and I have already planned out the two trips we are going to take over the weekends that I am here: road tripping south to Wellington borrowing Lance’s car and then also heading to the very north of the north island!

First day I was here I really wasn’t jetlagged because I slept a lot on the plane on the way over here so I was able to unpack and then Mason and I went to Albert Park, and had a pretty lazy day. In the evening, we walked with a few people over to Mount Eden for sunset. Which, by the way, has a HUGE crater on the top! It was such a nice day, but then of course right before we started to head down it began to sprinkle. Ohh well! Came back, made dinner. Spectacular. I did however wake up at 4am, but was able to get back to sleep- thank goodness!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to explore Auckland since Mason had class for the greater proportion of the day. I made it to three parks, Myers, Victoria and Albert. I also went to an art gallery where the work of a New Zealand artist, Rita Angus was on display. She did a lot of portraits, but there was some abstract pieces as well as landscapes that I really liked. After picking up a few souvenirs, I wandered down to the waterfront where I was planning to take a ferry to one of the islands nearby, but instead spent my time walking down Prince’s Wharf, and then going to the National Maritime Museum- which was really cool! Inside there was even an Olympic 8 which I of course got pictures of J! Then I walked down along the waterfront to where the grocery store was and picked up some food and made it back in time to catch Mason before going to the gym where we climbed a bit and did some abs! The way they set routes down here is so different! They have a pretty extensive coding system, ie: NNF, no natural features, MS, match start, NNFF, natural features for feet only, NNFH only natural features for hands, SS, sitting start. Moral of the story, you’d see a route and it was annoying to figure out what the heck you were supposed to do, soooo we pretty much just played add-on! Then came back, made dinner, and stayed around the student apartments with flat mates, friends and such.

Today I’m off to explore the domain and see the War Memorial Museum, go to One Tree Hill, and then make it back in order to make dinner, go out and grab drinks! Packing somewhere in between since we are driving down to Wellington tomorrow morning!

Mailing Address

In case anyone is so inclined to mail me anything, the address where I will be able to accept things is below:

Ashish Arora C/o Mr. Jagtar Singh
Hydel Gate, Kathgodam Dist. Nainital
Pin code 263126 Uttarakhand India
For: YOUR NAME, c/o Keith Goyden, UW Program

Fore warning, first class mail typically takes 2-3 weeks to arrive and I will be at this address until December 13th.

Well, got to get going this morning to finish packing and get ready to head out to the airport in a few hours! Auckland here I come!

Moving Day!

So it's my sister Jennifer's 25th birthday today! However, it was also my last day of work at good ol' Emerald City Smoothie as well as moving day! I was pretty much all packed and my brother, Jacob, and his friend Hunter helped me move all my things into storage at my parents house for when I'm away. Weird! I packed my traveling backpack last night to see how I'm doing on space and, good news; I am going to be able to do it! Pack for all seasons in my hiking backpack and a carry-on backpack- can I say ultra minimalist?! That includes by rock climbing shoes, harness, a 10 degree sleeping bag and computer :) haha. Sorry, I'm at least impressed, I have a broad range to pack for, and things typically other individuals would not have to worry about. Anyway, tomorrow I will run by Mason's parent's house to grab a few things for him, head back home to meet up with my mom to go to the Kenny Chesney concert! Not to mention hanging out with family and friends I won't see until January likely. Lots of great things before I leave on Sunday! Then off to Auckland and the start of my adventure and travels... so ecstatic!