New Zealand Weekly Update #43

Last updated on August 20, 2023

14th of August until 20th of August 2023

Approximate reading time: 6 minutes

Lets get it started

Speaking of relaxing times and new adventures, this week has been already pretty interesting. As I came back from Germany last week sunday, I was off on monday to get a little rest and tried to get over the jetlag (which has not been as bad as the first one back in October). So I just stayed at home on monday, sleeping almost the whole day (otherwise I would have been walking around like a zombie). And since then, I was back at work. Back at Ocula and a great team to work with. Without being with this great team, this great support and work environment it would not be possible to keep my energy and attidude. And since I am still a little tired and just started to work my mind around the last few weeks, Wanaka suprised me again with some new situations and experiences. So lets have a short review 🙂

Why Wanaka?

This is a question, a lot of people have asked me during the last couple of months. And they are still asking. There is not one specific answer to that question. It is more a feeling. A certain energy this place gives you. It is the view. It is the people. The landscape. The opportunities to go out, hike, swim, kayak, be in nature, alone or with someone else. To explore. To breath in and out. To go by the lake while having your lunch break. It is about the sky in the middle of the night. It is also about being far away from everything up the mountains, about the silence and the general friendly, open-minded and supportive environment.

And of course, daily life, either in New Zealand, Germany or somewhere else hits sometimes with challenges, troubles and problems. Like everywhere else as well. Since life is not perfect, never and nowhere. But most of those problems seems to be less important. Less stressfull. And I have the feeling that I am more relaxed and sure to solve them and get along with them here in New Zealand. And there have been some challenges. Financial wise. Visa wise. Future wise. And there are still more challenges to come. But for some reason, here in New Zealand, my mind does not struggle as much with them as back in Germany. Maybe it is because of trusting my skills, being aware of that every challenge, every problem and bad situation has its reason and is lifes way to show us, what to do and where to go. And not to suffer for too long. And to be able to see something positive for every situation. To try so see the options. For ourselves.

Overheated

Speaking of adventures and challenges, friday and saturday have been pretty busy. Friday after work, I was driving to Queenstown with some friends of mine to watch another icehockey game and to just enjoy some sports in the smallest icehockey arena I have ever seen in my life. Some expensive chips, badly made hotdogs and a great game, where we we able to stand right in front of the plexiglas to watch the game. Pucks flying towards our faces, players got crashed into the wall. People smashing there hands against the wall after a goal. And a scenic fight almost at the end of the game (where the goalkeeper got involved as well fighting his ass off). Funny and exciting as. And pretty cold as well, obviously. On the way back to Wanaka, I just felt asleep immediatly and woke up back in Wanaka – obviously I need some more rest and sleep to get back on track. But I was already thinking about a hiking adventure for sunday / monday when I am off. But life told me different.

Saturday, after work, back to Queenstown again. This time up the mountains with two collegues of mine from work. Up to Coronet Peak, a skiefield area. This time for an outdoor concert with orchestra and laser show. So I picked up my collegue in Wanaka and we made our way to Queenstown. Ready with ski pants, warm jackets and ready for some music.

And the show was amazing. Popular songs played by a DJ and an orchestra, with a scenic view to the skifields. And we have been dancing, screaming and just enjoying the show. Which was way too good, way too short and way too warm in the middle of the crowd. And I was way too tired to stay for too long for the aftershow party.

So we made our way back to the car to drive back to Wanaka. So far all good. Driving. Music. Trying to focus on the street in the middle of the night. And fortunately, I had a look at my car display by accident. And Jesus! The temperature of my engine almost exploded. It was way too hot and too high. And I stopped immediatly off the road. Heaps of steam ran out the engine. And we had way too go back home. So I was calling the legend Tony, to pick us up. So he did. And I left the car. After Tony dropped me off at home, we had some „breakfast“ in the middle of the night before he left and I went to bed.

Long story short. I signed up for AA insurance (like ADAC in Germany) just before my raodtrip in May. So they picked up my car and dropped it off at my house. After having a wee look at it, I might be fortunate to just be in the need of replacing the water pump. And hopefully the engine is not too fucked up after overheating for that long. Fingers crossed. No long travels possible right now – in the end not the worst thing and a sign to still keep it easy and not as busy as usual…

What else to say?

Slowly, I start to feel the energy of New Zealand again. Slowly, I feel more awake. It will still take some time to reflect and rethink all the great adventures in Germany and I am so grateful for every meeting, every hug and every moment all of you guys spent with me. And on the other handside, I am happy to be back in this lovely, energetic and scenic country. With all of its secrets, adventures, landscape and challenges.
More to come, more to tell. Speak you next week

Your DingyInternational
Felix