Sunday, September 13, 2009

Farewell and Arrival

The day of departure. A final sandwich. Deli meat is too expensive in New Zealand. Thank you U.S. customs for invading my personal privacy for my personal security, you make my day. I had a three and a half hour layover in San Fransisco, so my godfather met me at the airport. Stepping off the subway, I stepped into the concert hall of a bearded man and his banjo. He was sitting at the bottom of the escalator. With confidence brought by the mandolin strapped to my pack, I nodded and smiled at him. In response, his single eyebrow twitched and furiously folded into itself. He then threw his head to the side and laughed with rhythm and tune to his plucking. Michael and I rode up onto the bay, bridge overhead, the hills over the water, the sun over us. On the street I noticed an IRO (NR!) built up with cruiser bars. On the bike I notice a set of boots and a polkadot skirt. I plan to spend more time in San Fransisco. After a dinner of sushi and filet mignon, watching the sun set, I forcibly inserted myself into a plane seat. The flight was as unremarkable as any 17 hour flight could be. Except when I watched Star Trek and started tearing up from excitement, and the old New Zealand couple next to me grew really interested. The first thing the Auckland airport offers to its fresh-off-the-plane arrivees is two large bottles of colorful hapiness for only $79. I saw two (fat) (American) (probably 18 and overexcitable) girls with a handle of vodka for each hand. I was already kind of sick feeling. I missed the entire flight to Christchurch, including take off and landing. There, I followed the arrows to my bikebox and gearbag and dragged it to a shuttle that took me directly to my hostel. I have spent almost two days here, watching baby ducks at the river, smelling the blooming city (it's spring here), and talking to people from all populated continents. I will post pictures later when I can use my own computer and internet at the same time. Thanks to all who helped to get here, much love, cheers,
Cyril

5 comments:

  1. Cyril,

    That was inspirationally poetic. Your blogging is a rare ray of light that has heroically escaped the infinitely dark and sepulchral black hole that is the IB english curriculum. Keep the posts coming.

    Love, NR

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  2. cyril I hope you blog often. I enjoy your writing.
    Jared

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  3. I look forward to more of these =)

    Hope all is well & Much love,
    Benny

    PS- Can I do that?!

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  4. I didn't know that you were such a writer! I am not at all surprised. Thanks for keeping all of us in the loop, especially as fall falls here and it's blooming over there.

    Gina

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  5. Cyril this is beautiful and made my morning feel rather wonderfully international and vicarious. How did I not know you were such a fantastic writer? I'm looking forward to hearing about more, and I hope you make this into a book when you're done because it already reads like one.

    -Máire

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