New Zealand Working Holidays Part I

/kloc-check-in at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on the evening of 0/3; On the 4th, 65438+ 0:45 am, fly to Oceania, a beautiful island, New Zealand. About twelve and a half hours later, I landed at two o'clock in the afternoon on the 4th and seven o'clock in the evening local time (five hours time difference in daylight saving time). The future is almost unknown, and I feel anxious about the unknown around me.

From the aerial map of the plane, I saw the road across the Australian mainland. Looking out of the window, I saw this land in the vast Pacific Ocean, which is a strange and familiar place where we set foot in life two years ago. There used to be the same plane, the same two window seats, the same you and me, and the same uncertainty about life in Australia next year. It was the first time in our lives, so we should be accompanied by more fear when we are excited.

Looking back now, fortunately, I finally found a stable job after stumbling. Although I worked hard day and night, I finally didn't have to silently convert the price of everything I saw in the supermarket into RMB as I did in the first half of the month. It hurts to buy a bottle of 99c mineral water for about five dollars. Later, I completely adapted to various prices, and even had the ability to buy a car to travel around Australia and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

After we had a working holiday experience, this trip to Newvillage was finally more emboldened, but we didn't feel at ease until we settled down. I will consider where to live next, whether the rent is expensive or not, whether the transportation is convenient or not, whether I can cook and so on. The most important thing is to find a job. In order to extend your visa, you have to go to the farm for three months anyway.

From the fourth to the seventh, I can still calm down and write a document, indicating that we have determined the work and accommodation. So I want to record these days as a running account. I feel more and more that written records will be more valuable than photos, videos and other materials, and I can clearly understand my mood at that time in the future.

When the plane landed at 7 o'clock in the afternoon on the 4 th, the sky gradually darkened. When I arrived at the airport, I felt everything was familiar. Plus, the airport is by the sea, just in time for the sunset in Shanghai, and my mood is instantly broadened.

Mobile phone cards are sold inside the airport (the first thing to do after arrival is to get a mobile phone card, bank card and tax number before you can find a job). Vodafone's travel card is 25/ month or 43/ month. At that time, because I bought a temporary card in China, I was in no hurry to buy it. I wanted to compare the prices, but later I realized that buying at the airport was the right decision. After going through customs, the outside prices were all 29/ month or 49/ month, but I couldn't go back and didn't buy it at the airport that day.

Let's talk about customs. Almost every time you go through the customs inspection, you will be deeply impressed. Because I always like to bring Laoganma and hot pot bottom materials, although I know I can buy Huachao, I still have to bring two bags before I leave. Therefore, if it is unfortunately opened, it will always affect the mood. That day was like this, and the relaxed mentality was cast a shadow by unpacking.

When I handed in the customs declaration form for the first time, I asked a few questions about food and medicine, and it seemed no problem. As a result, we were asked to take the unpacking aisle. At this time, the mood began to stir up. After the tightly packed suitcase is opened, it will be difficult for customs officers to check everything packed in the box and bag and put it back. The scene is quite embarrassing. Fortunately, all these declared things were put in a suitcase in advance. Next, on the third floor, we passed other baggage security checks. Finally, let's go to office 5 with the declaration form. When I heard this word, I subconsciously thought that I would be fined. As a result, I just handed in the declaration form, asked two medical questions and let us go. Although I passed the customs smoothly, my mood was really affected. I know in my heart that this is not the fault of the customs officers. I declare that I have food and medicine, and I am not sure whether Laoganma contains meat, so it is reasonable for them to open the box for inspection. But the depressed mood has not dissipated, and there is always a feeling of being treated badly when I first arrived in this strange city. Zoe spent a lot of time trying to convince me, but I always turned a deaf ear.

After coming out, I found the window to buy Airbus tickets. Full fare 18/ person, waiting for nearly 20 minutes after buying the ticket. Our small body is dragging two 28-inch suitcases, a boarding box and two round schoolbags on our backs. From the airport to the apartment, I can't help others all the way. The driver helped us with our luggage when we got on the bus, found a place to put it away, and helped us get off when we got off the bus. When we were walking on the road, a foreigner who was on the way offered to ask him if he was on the way, and finally helped me close a big suitcase. I was complaining just now, but now I don't feel embarrassed after getting help? Haha, no.

It took thirty or forty minutes to get off the bus to the Imperial Apartment, because we went the wrong way after parting from our enthusiastic little brother. I'm not familiar with the map. It's completely dark and the road is incredibly steep. This road is naturally not easy to walk.

After checking in (1628), I found that the room conditions were good enough for us backpackers, with separate bathrooms and kitchens. Like the first time in Melbourne, we bought eggs and oil for dinner in the supermarket downstairs, and brought a handful of noodles and two packs of mustard tuber from China. Fried eggs, old godmother who cooks noodles with mustard tuber and the first meal in a foreign country are enough to satisfy people. Time difference, I didn't go to bed until two or three in the morning.

On Friday, 5th, I got up in a hurry at noon and hurried out to get the bus card (at the hop), phone card and bank card. Can it be done in half a day? I didn't take the bus to the city after I got a bus card at the University of Auckland not far away, because I walked fast (in fact, I wanted to save the fare). Unable to resist hunger, I ordered the cheapest set meal at McDonald's and found ANZ Bank on the road. After expressing my intention in a hurry, I didn't expect to make an appointment on Monday.

Later, I came in several times to consult the details of the address certificate in the required materials; The last time was when the bank closed after 4: 30, and we didn't leave until we confirmed it.

During this period, I found the Vodafone business hall and successfully purchased two SIM cards. As it happens, the sales staff are also from China and Pengzhou, Sichuan, and the communication is relatively smooth. I didn't expect her to come here from the working holiday, but that was five years ago, and she finally got together with the northeast people. She also suggested that I apply for a job in Vodafone's business hall because of talking about work and renewing the contract. I was not confident in my English, so I added WeChat when I left. It was also from her that I learned that calling cards at the airport are very cheap because they are tax-free.

So we finished everything we could on the afternoon of the fifth. I went to the supermarket to buy water and a huge green garlic, and I plan to eat noodles at night.

It's very late to get back to the apartment. Considering the check-out on the 7th, the next stay must be confirmed on the 6th. So after dinner, I frantically searched the Internet for rental information. As long as the price is right and there is a little hope, we will contact anyone. Finally, I chose two schools, one on the north shore and the other in the central area. It's so late.

The task on the 6 th is to look at the house. The first time I took a bus to the one in the central area was 230 weeks. The room conditions are really good, and the landlord is also very good. Considering that there are many people living in the whole house, I didn't give a clear answer, so I chose to continue to visit families in the North District. Then take the train back to the city, and then take the bus to the north shore. The road is far away and the place is remote, but the room conditions are still very good, and the home is full of literary atmosphere. Considering the price of 200/ week, we are going to take this house as the first choice for renting.

Later, I thought about it. Living so far away from the city, it took me two weeks to find a job, which was a bit risky. I'm afraid I can't find a job within two weeks, and I'm afraid I'll leave early when I'm looking for a job, wasting my rent (every penny I spend on the first day should be maximized). Thinking of getting on the bus and not finding any signs of working nearby, I hesitated again.

On the bus back to the city, I started to brush the recruitment network again. When you see a slightly suitable one, you will quickly collect the contact information, or send a text message directly for consultation.

Back in the city, I walked into McDonald's again; These days, McDonald's has become the place where we have the most rest during the day. My mind is a little anxious, my job is uncertain, and there is no legal decision on accommodation. Before I turned to watercress, I saw blueberry picking in the greenhouse, and other conditions were fine, except that the farm was remote and there was no accommodation nearby, so I had to have a car; I remember when I saw the post, I didn't mean to reply below. The reply is: I really want to go, the time and place are very suitable, but unfortunately there is no car. Actually, I don't have much hope either. As a result, I saw the news when I was painting my work. Let me contact the phone number in the post, maybe I can arrange it.

When the accommodation problem is imminent and in a dilemma, I am really overjoyed to see the hope of working.

I immediately sent a text message to explain the situation, and I received a phone call from the other party as soon as the text message was sent. After communication, he said that he decided to take us to the greenhouse the next day. I agreed without much thought.

Later, I carefully thought about it with a cautious attitude. I thought of many bad situations. I haven't met before, and the details are unknown. I drove his car to such a remote place as the farm. How bad is the accommodation he said? Will there be a deposit? Does the farm really exist? A series of conjectures make people more and more afraid, and they dream of being trafficked at night. It is best to make a decision without hesitation, thinking about accumulating experience even if you are cheated. After packing, I didn't go to bed until after three o'clock that night.

On the 7th, we should leave at 8: 30 to see the farm. We will check out at 8: 10 and store our luggage. Zoe was very hungry. When she wanted to buy a hamburger, she saw a message that he would be late, so she just had time. It was not until I got on the bus and saw myself chatting that I put down my doubts.

Half an hour later, endless farms and pastures have appeared outside the window; Nearly an hour's drive, I first arrived at the place where I stayed. It was a local family with four beds. The lady's landlord is very friendly and a farmer; The room is neat and the kitchen is convenient, which is much better than before. Zoe also expressed satisfaction. If nothing happens, the first job is basically confirmed.

Actually, I'm looking forward to it Australia has not been exposed to farm work for a year, and I really want to experience the life like a paradise. How pleasant it is to work at sunrise and rest at sunset every day and share it with the same person.

On the way back, I saw the cranberry scene in the greenhouse, and I couldn't say how much I liked it.

Back in town, Zoe and I didn't go back to the apartment. Naturally, we went to our base McDonald's these days, ordered a set meal and unexpectedly won a hamburger. The next step is to find a place to live for the last few days before work. There were no vacancies in the original apartment that night, so I chose from east to west and finally moved to Yaping Building, which is said to be bbh's first Chinese hotel in New Zealand.

I contacted Sister Yaping on WeChat and asked her if she could stay for less than a week and rent it for only a few days. The answer is no; But when we moved in, we agreed to our request, but the average daily price was higher than that of a week. Two people booked three nights for 64/ night *** 192. Zoe and I both talked earnestly about the accommodation here, but we didn't ask in advance because our friends strongly recommended it.

After getting off the bus, I pushed my luggage for some distance. The hotel is located at the foot of Mount Eden, so I pushed an uphill that made people suspect that I was in the wrong position. Not to mention the interior of the room, the first reaction is to regret not booking the original apartment in advance; I walked back and forth twice to finish my luggage, but I still couldn't help complaining, expressing my dissatisfaction, comforting each other and finally staying safely.

In fact, from the day of arrival, everything is going well, and there will be occasional disappointments in life, otherwise it will not be too unfair to the unfortunate people.

I didn't feel sleepy when I was lying in bed, so I began to record these drops and didn't sleep at three in the morning.

On Monday, the 8th, I got enough sleep in the morning (I haven't had enough to eat in recent days, but I can get enough sleep today), so I can get up and pack up and go to town. I made an appointment to open a bank card at 2: 30 pm. I won't go into details about the procedures. Apart from poor English communication, everything went smoothly and the bank staff had a good attitude. List the documents needed to open ANZ bank card: passport, visa letter, proof of address (let the reception desk open).

Remember to tell the other party that you need the tax number (IRD #) after you apply for the card, and he will instruct you to deposit money, then withdraw a sum, so that the bank can have a transaction record, and finally help print the bank statement (required for handling the tax number).

After getting the bank card, I will handle the tax number in AA not far away. The little setback is coming again.

After finding the staff to get the 742 form, we encountered several doubts in the process of filling in the information, thinking that the staff would be as patient as in the bank, and watching the Hong Kong lady who was walking with wind busy queuing to get her driver's license, we didn't dare to disturb and slipped away quietly (mainly for fear of poor communication). I thought I could apply online, so I went back to my base and sat down in ird official website to apply. The problem of sharing experiences with online friends has arisen, and we can't submit the first message after filling it out, which always reminds us that our identity can't be verified. After several attempts, I had to apply on the spot.

It's already half past four. AA staff get off work at five o'clock and come to AA again. Through the glass, we saw that the last customer left the women's window just now at 4:45. We got up the courage to push the door open and began to deal with it. The form of her guidance is actually very simple. Who told us that our spoken English is so insecure?

This lady is really smart and quick-witted, giving people a hint of staying at a respectful distance from others. Fifteen minutes before leaving work, she quickly read our materials. Zoe and I can't shake off the image of her coming and going in a hurry. On the way, we began to imitate the scene where she copied the materials and quoted us an price. When she came back at night, she imitated it very well, which made Zoe laugh.

So today we have all the materials we need before work.

After returning to Yaping Building, Zoe and I climbed Mount Eden to watch the sunset. Picturesque, overlooking Auckland, the sky tower is the most eye-catching. Houses spread everywhere, quietly and beautifully coexisting with the sea in the afterglow of the sunset. I felt indescribable shock when I had a panoramic view of the scene, and then I calmed down. Zoe and I sat on the broad and dense grass, quietly watching the sun slide down a low mountain in the distance inch by inch, until the last ray of afterglow disappeared and the sunset appeared on the coast, and then we went down to the house.

Write here and put it there, and then update it slowly, so that this year's life in Newvillage will leave more and longer memories.