U-turn!

[Enroute to Auckland after a quick turn-around in the bay of islands.]

It was just too crummy of weather for rest and relaxation. Besides that, I know that I'll be an Auntie for the first time in not too many days. The time is right to go home. Thank goodness that Air Pacific lets you book flights at the last minute for cheap.

We’re pulling back into Auckland… probably the last time I will see the skyline from this side of town. Soon we’ll be crossing over the harbour bridge. It’s a beautiful city. The things I’ve learned this year! If I had to make a list it could stretch forever.

Mostly I’ve learned to be more open-minded, more patient, more trusting. People everywhere have surprised me with their kindness and love. I’ve done things I wouldn’t have thought I'd do. I’ve realized how useless passing judgment on others is. (Not that it’s easy to understand other people all the time, but at least give them the benefit of the doubt. )

Boats in the harbour. The sky tower popping up behind them. Fluffy clouds with a deep purple base. Sky the color of my bedroom in Portland. Ships and more ships. I’ve never seen so many in my life. We’re sailing into town on the Intercity bus- something that’s marked my days and travels in NZ. I still love the peace and the whirr of the bus shifting gears, humming along. Passengers shuffle belongings but it’s still serene in here. And as I stare out the window, it’s the closest thing to church and meditation as I'll get here in Auckland.

Two more days and I will fly off, forever perhaps, or not. Life doesn’t tell you the story line ahead of time. You just have to follow it as it goes along and see where you end up.

Saving time

Last night after work, I decided I'd save some time getting home by paying $4.80 and taking the public bus, which would drop me off just a few blocks from my house, rather than taking the free staff shuttle to the Auckland city campus and then walking thirty minutes home from there.

One of my students pointed out the bus stop earlier, so I booked it over there after work and patiently waited with Mr. D.H. Lawrence. The patience wore out sometime after 45 minutes.

Finally the 655 bus pulled up, though it was hard to tell if it really was the 655- all the lights were wacked up on the front. I got on and asked the driver, "Does this go to Parnell?"

"No." He says.

"But I've been waiting for an hour and 20 minutes!" Desperation was setting in. Am I ever going to get home? I'd already be home if I had taken the staff shuttle but now I've missed the last one. Regrets, regrets. Not helping.

He's pulled out a small laminated white paper and donned glasses. "Yeah, I do go to Parnell!"

Oh God. Isn't their job to know their route? This does not inspire confidence.

He offers, "I was late because I got out of school late." Or something.

I soften. Maybe he's trying to further himself. That's nice.

The bus moves forward. Very slowly. I wonder if he always drives this slow. Maybe that's why the bus is so late.

We appear to be pulling into a driveway. Is this a home stop?

No, a u-turn.

Ok, we're backtracking. This is a first. A lost, late busdriver doing u-turns.

Moving again, through the residential areas. I'm the only rider. Perhaps this is a special route.

I don't see any bus stops on the side of the road.

Seem to be sitting a long time at this stop sign.

Driver mumbles something with, "Lost" in it. White laminated sheet is out again. (It's not really a map, just a diagram/schematic thing.)

I don't want to know!

I start to text people, in case I never turn up again after this time-saving bus ride.

Finally out of residential! Hope returns. I may get home just yet.

Only two hours later, I get off at my stop.

Gotta love Auckland public transport...