Time's a Tickin

Well, we're less than one week out from our great adventure. I hate to say it, but I'm getting a little emotional at the thought of leaving DC. For those of you that don't know, I'm planning a big move to Brooklyn this fall. I've been so focused on this trip, though, that I haven't really let myself think about what leaving DC means. I've had an amazing two years here and have made some incredible friends. It's just starting to sink in that I won't be seeing my friends for a long time (shout out to my Sharts and the Big Three!) and that I'll be starting over again. Waaa.

Sorry to get emo in my travel blog. Please refer to my other blog - gothicpug.com - for my thoughts on life and being a twenty something.

Anyway, I'm currently sitting in a Starbucks figuring out our options for New Zealand. We've deliberately left things a little loose (we have a pretty set itinerary in Africa and we've more or less taken care of Australia). We're thinking we'll spend a day or two in Auckland and then hit the dusty trail. I've been looking at car rentals so we can get out of the city. It's cheaper to rent a manual. Unfortunately, the only time I have ever driven stick shift was my senior year of undergrad. Of course, this comes with a story. Imagine a different Margo. A Margo not yet burdened by the hard knocks of working 40 - 41 hours a week. A Margo who doesn't live in a tiny bedroom with a bee that won't stop biting her and who may or may not have mysteriously been infected with poison ivy. A Margo who only cares about looking cool on her first date with a law student named Will. Poor Will. I made him teach me how to drive his Jeep in the parking lot of some abandoned grocery store. Once I was comfortable going over 10 mph, he made me drive in the street. Most terrifying experience of my life (not really). I'm pretty sure driving stick is like riding a bike, though, and I figured that out easily enough.

It turns out NZ is pretty effing awesome. We are thinking of spending some time in Rotorua. They have redwoods, geothermal pools, lots of hiking. What's not to love? I'm also toying with the idea of going to the northern tip...that's what she said. Bay of Islands looks pretty amazing. I feel like we can't go wrong in NZ. Every place I have looked into has been breathtakingly beautiful.