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Speaker: ReEntry V: Finding my Feet

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  • st ephen,

    Sometimes I like the energy and buzz of a big city, sometimes I like the peace and solitude of nature. Things fall into place once you accept that these things are negatively correlated to some extent - NZ's low population density has left a lot of relatively unspoiled bits, but we miss out on things like recycling and public transport and niche services.

    Just out of interest - what is a realistic comparison for public transport in NZ? Norway has similar a population and population density, but double the GDP per capita. Maybe if Auckland's public transport falls somewhere between Montevideo's and Helsinki's, that's about all we can expect?

    dunedin • Since Jul 2008 • 254 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    Thanks Russell for that clip
    .
    I love visiting Auckland, What appeals to me is the cultural stuff - the art galleries, museums, concerts, multicultural events. However, the most common reason for me being in Auckland is one of those one day meetings fly in fly out and suffer motorway anxiety about whether you will get to the airport on time and how much the taxi is going to cost. It is not a joke that that it is sometimes more than the flight..

    What would appeal to me as a potential tourist is an ad that says - hey we are sorting our public transport. Soon you will be able to travel betwen the airport and city on efficient light rail - with an interconnected network all over Auckland.

    (The last time I was there was memorable in that in the next highrise apartment building - about 20 floors up - was a toddler leaning against a full length partially opened window. Now that's something you don't see anywhere else in NZ.)

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • dyan campbell,

    'I'd like a glass of water, please.'
    <blank look>
    'Water.'
    'What was that, hon?'
    'Wahdder.'
    'Oh, a glass of WAHDDER! Coming right up.'
    I have had that exact conversation more times than I can count.
    (See also: beer --> bee-ERRRRRRRR)

    My poor husband had several variations on that conversation in Canada, when introducing himself
    "Hello, I'm Paul"
    "Pole? What an unusual name..."

    Of course the cultural thing can cut both ways. Just a few days ago we were driving along a downtown Auckland street and I saw a billboard that said "TAKE YOUR KIDS TO BRISNEYLAND!" and I turned to Paul and said "Not many Jews in NZ eh?"

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 595 posts Report

  • JackElder,

    Just a few days ago we were driving along a downtown Auckland street and I saw a billboard that said "TAKE YOUR KIDS TO BRISNEYLAND!"

    Yes, I laughed like a drain when I saw that one.

    and I turned to Paul and said "Not many Jews in NZ eh?"

    Well, Wellington supports not one, but two klezmer bands - draw your own conclusions.

    Wellington • Since Mar 2008 • 709 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Jews like rain?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Indoor pursuits flourish in crap climates?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Culture and sun are inversely proportional (think North Shore)?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Righto, that should have offended a few folk in both cities. :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie,

    Culture and sun are inversely proportional (think North Shore)?

    Fun run + sausage sizzle = crown of creation.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Righto, that should have offended a few folk in both cities.

    And Jews.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd,

    Speaking as a cultured Wellingtonian Jew, I think you've hit some sort of offence jackpot, chaps.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Hey, I was taking a lead from Mr Swny. Be thankful I'm not trying to stroke your arm..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • TracyMac,

    ...Getting onto the topic of relative "cosmopolitanness", Wgtn and Auckland aren't that bad. Ok, they certainly can't compete with the mega cities of the world, but in terms of punching at their weight (even at the arse-end of the world), I think they're pretty good.

    Also, Wgtn, which is only a squidge larger than Canberra, is a metric fuckton more cosmopolitan than Canberra. Sure, there are a few big honking things here like the National Gallery of Australia and the museum, but in terms of the city itself, Wellers is really more comparable to Melbourne (although much more condensed, naturally). And of course the fact I'm currently homesick hasn't biased me in the slightest.

    Canberra, West Island • Since Nov 2006 • 701 posts Report

  • Jolisa,

    in terms of punching at their weight

    Am picturing someone thudding disconsolately at their spare tire, wondering if maybe they should go back to the gym...

    All this talk of Wellington is reminding me of the time I stayed there, not long after we'd left NYC. I was really homesick for that big city vibe. And I walked out of my sister's apartment into downtown Wgtn on a Saturday night and thought "aaaah, I'm back."

    It's even got a Brooklyn :-) All we need now is some Welling-Fuckin'-Ton T-shirts...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    metric fuckton

    I am impressed by this unit of measure.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sam F,

    metric fuckton

    I am impressed by this unit of measure.

    You know you're talking real urban sophistication when someone is measuring it in metric fucktons.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd,

    How does that compare with the Imperial shitload?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

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