It was a largely anticipated return home to New Zealand, returning to sunny Napier Christmas Eve. Leaving Korea, although not sad, and not by any means intended to sound like an insult, was incredibly fun. The final week was fantastic. Due to my overwhelming desire to leave resulting in some uncharastically organised behaviour by yours truely, it allowed me to casually indulge and enjoy in what I did love about Korea. The people. Thursday night dinner, Fried Chicken Friday and farewell drinks in Itaewon finishing at the local Kimbup Cafe for Mundu Ramyon. With all of the minga crew. Loved it. No tears were shed, but love to all for sure.
Christmas at home was great. It was warm, it was relaxing, the food was great and it was amazing seeing the family again. Truely. Plus seeing Katie.. that being my teddy bear who was still waiting paitently on my bed for my return.
New Year celebrations saw the catch up with two fantastic girls from school - Rachel and Katie. Seeing those two girls again was most definitely one of the top highlights of my summer at home. Cue photo of the lovely ladies...
January bought on the month of travels beginning with a two week road trip with the Nevster down to see the big bro Matt at Lake Hawea, just outside of Wanaka. Dubbed The Haggart Holiday Boot Camp we completed the Rail Trail, conquered Mount Maude, played Tennis @ Ten and indulged in fine New Zealand Lager of the Deep South. The Rail Trail was amazing and for much of it (which felt much like the longest pub crawl ever) felt like I was amongst a Grahem Sydney painting. Matt's house was fantastic and the whole trip was awesome. Arriving back in Napier for one day, it was time to wash clothes and repack for a 10 day trip to Melbourne. Oh sunny and beloved Melbourne. Was fantastic to see Jen and John again and to meet their recent addition, Little Jim Jam (aka James). The weather was ultra hot, atmosphere alive with the Australian Open, and great to be meandering the streets from days gone once again. The Neil Young concert, the main attraction for the trip, was awesome. A trip well worth it, and he rocked out like the rock god he is. Three quarter pants and all.
Feburary bought about the month of wineries and wine festivals in the Hawkes Bay region. As always, The Bay turned on the weather and the entertainment at the wineries delightful. The Nevsters antics also noteworthy. Highly noteworthy. It also saw Mike arriving back into my world with a road trip up around the East Cape. I had never been up there before and I was completely blown away by it. So deserted, undeveloped and... chilled. Kids ridding bareback on horses to the dairy, beaches deserted - completely - and no traffic. It was fantastic. Highly reccommended to all.
Fortunately for the bank account I managed to acquire some positive cash flow through the wonders of past employees The Mill Liquorsave. Spending two weeks delivering alcohol in a big red truck, singing along to Classic Hits... hits of the 80's, 90's and today... it was one of the best jobs I have ever had. Then moving back in to one of the outlet stores for a further two weeks. Not as good, but by no means stressful. Always a plus when working.
Overall my return to New Zealand was one of the best I have ever had. It was truely unbelievable. Hanging out with the parents has never been so good, and saying good bye to them has never been so hard. Hopefully, it will only be a year until I see them again if all goes to plan... Mum - we need to talk about this plan.
(And cue photo with the parentals)
So then my departure from Aotearoa and on to London. Met at the airport by Claud, sans Becky who was too hung over, and thrown right back into my closest and coolest friends. Catching up with everyone was amazing. Slotting right back into the groove of things with them all only reaffirmed my decision to move to this side of the world. It's been too long since I have spent time with any of them. I spent the weekend drinking and eating and meandering through the days with ease and contentness. IT WAS GREAT.
Next stop - Brussels, Belgium - Beer, Chocolate, Grand Buildings, Cobble-stoned roads, Ali and Denis. It was a great week and was fantastic seeing both again. Truely impressed with the range of beers! More so than the chocolate. Who would have thought.
Return to London. To finally see Harriet and Sam again. Too only hear that they got engaged. Cue tears. Weeping even. Numerous times throughout the fun, giggly, high-on-life night. God I can't wait for their wedding. Only I'm hoping it will be a long engagement to enable me to save the cash to get home for it! The reunion with the cliche Fab Four that we are, was everything it was always going to be. Hilarious.
Cue photo of the night we heard the news....
The remaining days in London was mainly filled with organising, repacking and laziness.
Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 saw me board the Eurostar, desination Paris for the beginning of my one year working visa. Finding the apartment with ease, and courtesy of the taxi, was blown away by the sights of Paris within the first 15 minutes. Grand, huge, classic, European. The buildings are amazing, the weather was amazing and the people got style. Some a little different, but style none the less.
My apartment is in the middle of Paris, a little run down with work needed but very Parisan and so very cute and full of character. I love it. Admittedly, I am still high on life at the moment, so in two months time I won't be writting with such enthusiam (presuming I don't take a 4 month leave of absence from writing) but in the mean time, let me get excited.
It looks like I will be returning to Teaching English again, to business people one-on-one, throughout their offices in Paris. As part of the package deal I also get 10hours of free french lessons beginning tomorrow. Should be interesting, although strangely looking forward to it. It's been a long time since the marbles within my cranium have had to tick over with purpose.
And that people pretty much brings you up to date with me. This coming weekend I am heading down to Bordeaux to spend 5 days with Harriet and Sam. The following weekend I get my first guest at Hotel a la Kiri which will be fun times. Hopefully by then the hot water is working and the bed base has arrived!
Au revoir people xx
p.s The spellcheck isn't working and it's too late at night to care. Apologies.
