6...

Cauliflower fritters from the Kalamata Cafe. These are the best things ever cooked/served in the whole world, and I include those moldy breakfast burritos in that list.

A religious experience. I can't wait!

7...

Shopping for clothes.

Okay, I know this is kind of lame for my countdown. But I do really love NZ designers, and it would be nice to buy from shops that don't stock anything with the flag on it.

Hooray for Andrea Moore and Stitch Ministry and Starfish!

8...

The pebble sculpture outside the Old Bank Arcade.

I freaking love that thing! I hope it's really windy juuuuuuust after I land safely at Wellington Airport, so the pebbles are turning.

Do Come In.

9...

I'm looking forward to never having this conversation again:

"Where are you from?"
"New Zealand."
"Oh! Noo Zeeeland! I hear it's beautiful."
"Um yes, it's ok. Very nice in fact."
"I love your accent."
"Thanks, I've been practicing."
"Huh?"
"Never mind."
"Is it just like Lord of the Rings?"
"... Yes. Yes, it's exactly like Lord of the Rings. Awash with hobbits."
"I've always wanted to go to Noo Zeeland, but it's just so far."
"Yeah, well..."

10...

I'm looking forward to having all my stuff. Man, almost 2 years living out of suitcases! I want to unpack all my boxes and spreeeeeaaaaaad out.

Update from Oregon: the neighbours are burning something smelly, and I had to clean up a poo.

11...

Wellington.

I miss my small, walkable city. I miss being somewhere that I know well, and I always get a kick out of taking pedestrian access short-cuts.

I miss The Terrace, even when it has road works all over it and mad bus drivers zooming up and down. I am looking forward to seeing the sculpture art on Lambton Quay.

Can't really claim to have missed that annoying man outside Whitcoulls who tries to tell everyone they're going to hell, but he IS part of the atmosphere!