World Trip: New Zealand

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My flight from Australia landed at midnight in Auckland. My cousin Karen graciously picked me up from the airport, of which I was very thankful for.

It had been quite a few years since we last met and even longer since I was last in New Zealand, and I spent the next couple of days with her and her family.

The first activity we did was visiting the Arataki Visitor Centre, which afforded a spectacular view.

We later went to a sculpture park together, but we unfortunately got rained out, although luckily right as we were almost done anyway. Continue reading →

Christmas in Chicago

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During the winter of 2006 I flew out to Chicago from Wyoming to visit my (then) girlfriend who lived there. I was only there for about a week or so, but it was cool because it was my first time there, and I flew by myself at the ripe age of 16, without anyone else guiding me along the way (no unattended minor this time).

I drove out to the Jackson, WY airport and parked my car at the edge of the parking lot because the parking lot was completely full with other holiday travelers’ cars. You weren’t supposed to park there, but I did it anyways and hoped for the best. Shortly thereafter I boarded the plane and flew to Chicago.

After flying to Chicago, I was greeted by nothing less than a limo driver. My girlfriend’s mom wanted to make sure I arrived in style, and she had a limousine pick me up, so that was pretty fun. Continue reading →