Thursday was a big day-- I was released from managed isolation! After two negative COVID-19 tests, I had a seamless two week quarantine experience at the Naumi Hotel. The staff were all very nice and helpful, the food was nothing to complain about, the room was great, and I had some wonderful care packages that were dropped off by family friends. I kept busy snacking, blogging, watching Netflix, drawing, FaceTiming, and studying up on New Zealand. The time passed surprisingly quickly!
It feels great to be out, but I'm not entirely free yet. Auckland is currently on alert level three after a family tested positive for COVID within the community in South Auckland. It's been interesting seeing just how differently the pandemic is handled here. Four positive cases in the US and no one would seem to bat an eye. If anything, only four cases would probably be an accomplishment!
Tuesday night I, along with the rest of the city, received an emergency alert conveying the news. Despite the bad news, I still thought it was great seeing clear information communicated to keep everyone on the same page (quite the opposite from my experiences back home). I did truly manage to have the worst timing with my release from quarantine being just two days after the the lockdown announcement after months of normality in Auckland! Looking on the bright side though, I'd be on lockdown now if I was still at home. Instead, I'm in a new country and surrounded by new people! On top of that, given New Zealand's track record I believe that things will be back to normal before we know it. We're set to stay on level three for 12 more days in addition to the original three days while the government continues to investigate and contact trace this cluster outbreak.
So after saying goodbye to my home of two weeks I finally ventured out into locked down Auckland. I was picked up by Lucy who has been gracious enough to let me stay with her and her lovely family. I couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous day to be set free. Driving across the Auckland Harbour Bridge on a crisp sunny day for the first time since I had been here as a child was so special. The sunlight sparkled and reflected off the water in big patches, only to be calmly broken up by cruising sailboats.
Currently I'm staying in Hillcrest, which is in North Auckland across the bridge. It's lovely and quiet up here. I was planning to be here for about a week before moving on to stay with friends in either Grey Lynn or Northcross. Lots of things have changed, however, and everything is now kind of up in the air. This time has just been another reminder of how lucky I am to have such a great network of friends and family down here looking after me.
I've had some delicious home cooked meals and great New Zealand cuisine with the Senior's including some serious stir fry, lamb on the barbie, and the famous Vogel bread. I also had spaghetti on toast today which gave me flashbacks to my childhood! Lucy also makes a delicious sourdough bread from scratch. It's incredible. I've definitely been spoiled with their delicious home cooking! I'm talking professional restaurant level cuisine-- nothing I could ever do.
It's been so fun getting to know Lucy, Boyd and the boys (they've got a sweet cat too). They've been so generous and welcoming, it's hard to believe I've only just met them! I'm not quite sure what my next plans are, given that I can't leave Auckland on alert level three, but I'm still so thrilled to venture out and explore "The City of Sails" for a while, even behind a mask!
xx syd
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