Abe and Erin’s travels

Likely the last post from Colorado!  It has been a lot of work getting everything ready to go for the trip – we got it all done though!  Two anal workaholics can get a lot done if they put their minds to it.  Ironically, I gave Erin a hard time about wanting to bring too many bags – and I ended up bringing 2 big bags for check in (she is only checking 1)! (yeah, I’ll eat crow – better when warm)(This is ERin – I was right.  I made Abe repeat this several times last night regarding the bags!)
We will be getting in our pace run and a light workout before getting on the plane (all Erin’s idea I assure you). (This is Erin – Aren’t I a slavedriver?)

Other than that, we just need to fly (something Erin is terrified of) and make it to NZ safely.

We will post again when we arrive!

Abe Posting (quick warning – I have found no easy way to spell check these posts – firefox screws up the font and wipes data, and I can’t paste in from word – so you guys are stuck with a 3rd grade level spelling ability/ and maybe a 5th grade grammar level)

Erin and I are Leaving this Thursday and arrive in Auckland on Saturday morning. We are hoping that the hotel will let us check in early (the plane lands at 4:10am). After 4 days in Auckland we leave for Wellington on Thursday the 30th. Carrie, Rashmi, and I start our rotations on Monday the 3rd. It will be cool to have the spouses there to play while we work as pharmacy slaves – wait…how is that different than here at home? They deserve it after dealing with us crankey grouches for the last 4 years! (The spouses leave on April 13th, we leave on May 14th)
Our time in Auckland will be spent in the city – we are going swanky for the first 2 nights at the Crowne Plaza and then to more modest accomodiations at the Aspen House. Thankfully, Alex and Luke have made some great suggestions of stuff to do – this is much appreciated. Alex mentioned that the Waitomo Caves were a fun trip (to see the glow worms) and also recommended the Luge and hot springs at Rotaura – I’m going to have to brush up on my geography because I reeally want to do these things. We are lkooking forward to Luke’s input – Jesse tells me you lived there for 6 months…LUCKY!

After Auckland we will be living in Wellington in a house (490 Evans Bay Parade, Evans Bay). We hope it’s a nice safe area, Erin did a great job finding the place and working out the specifics – Thanks Erin!

The plan while in Wellington is to use the house as a home base and make trips out to the surrounding areas (I doubt you can get more central than Wellington). We hope to get some good day hikes/adventeures in! I’d also like to learn how to surf (yeah, Chip, I still harbor that dream – maybe one day I’ll overcome my clutzyness). FYI: Cip tried to teach me to surf years ago – he is one patient teacher. I was so bad – but he never gave up trying to teach me and I tried as hard as I could!

So that is the extent of our plans – we have a way of getting over there – a place to stay – and some edgemacation to get while we are out there. It should be a blast!

…Quick question for the New Zealand veterans: Do you know anyone good who does tribal body art there? I know it’s insulting to actually get tatooed, but I was hoping to get some individualized artwork painted on my calf. Christrian recommended this so I could photo it and have it modified for an actual tattoo at home. Any thoughts?

Abe posting: By the way, Erin tricked my sister and me into running those 9 miles – I nearly puked when I finished!

Mere days away form traveling to New Zealand and we are still checking things off of our lists (I’m lounging around the house and Erin is working her ass off). I thought I would torture her and take a photo of her packing:

She thought she would torture me by putting Minney Mouse ears on me and having me pose for a picture acting like I’m packing:

That was fun….Now let’s humilate the dog!

This is Erin typing and relaying that I know that we are leaving soon because I am working on a Sunday!!!! There is so much to do before a vacation but it will be all worth it. For those of you who know my love of Starbucks, I checked and yes – There are several Starbucks in Wellington!!! But, don’t worry, I will try some other chai, New Zealand Chai. Abe and I did our last long run in the U.S. before we leave (9 miles!!). It was a killer but the next time we do a long run for our half-marathon, it will be in New Zealand!!! Talk to you all soon!

I had a wonderful post that I worked on for about an hour – but lost all of it!