If you haven’t noticed, Christmas is coming. Being in New Zealand for the first time during the holiday season has been quite strange for me. For example, it’s summer. Now, I’m not complaining about it being summer. I live for the warm weather! However, I don’t associate warm weather with Christmastime! Where’s the snow? Where’s the ice? Where’s the freezing cold weather? Drinking hot cocoa by the fireplace? It’s going to be different having a BBQ on Christmas. Going to the beach on Christmas. It’s all such a strange concept to me but I love it!
Another reason it probably doesn’t feel like Christmas is because there isn’t so much rushing and stores don’t seem so crowded like I’m used to. I come from New York, where it’s not uncommon to go to a mall that has thousands of parking spots and still not be able to find a spot to park. Now, I’m living in a small little town where I can walk around the corner and see sheep and horses. Of course the hustle and bustle isn’t going to feel the same here. I was walking through town today thinking how empty and serene it was compared to where I’m from and at the very same moment that I was having this thought, I overheard another pedestrian complain about how busy everything was and wasn’t the holidays so disheartening and rushed?
I was on line to post a letter this afternoon and another woman came along to stand on this little line and was so surprised and almost appalled to see that the line had FOUR PEOPLE! Wow, look at how BUSY everything is! Last December, I waited in line at my post office for over an hour because it was so packed. It’s just so strange to hear someone think that things are crowded around here.
Life is all about perspective.
I’m really enjoying the perspective I have right now.
It sounds so different! Your description of New York Christmas sounds like the one I experience in British Columbia, minus the fact that it’s probably closer to just a few hundred parking spots, not thousands :)
But wow, 4 people in a line is busy? A few days ago when I went, the line at the post office was snaking down one of the aisles in the store.
I’m from BC too (like Michelle) and it’s always been busy there. It’s busy here in Northern Alberta too. And there’s ALWAYS a line of at least 4 people at my post office lol. I worked in a post office when I was in BC and it was insane during the holidays. I fear that it would bug me a little bit to hear people complaining about a four person line lol.
BBQ on Christmas eh? That sounds pretty neat. There was never snow in Victoria, but where I am now there is and makes it feel like Christmas. I would be a little sad to have to wear shorts instead of comfy winter clothes on Christmas lol. But I bet it will be fun none the less!! I hope you enjoy every minute!! (and I’m jealous that you can see sheeps and cow :p)
Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) is the only day of the year where anyone in New Zealand can ACTUALLY complain about crowds and rushing. And even then, it’s got nothing on Black Friday. I’ve never heard of anyone being trampled to death or anything ridiculous like that.
I’m not a real fan of Christmas in summer (I’m not a fan of summer in general, though). Eating all that food and drinking all that alcohol in the blistering sun isn’t the best thing to be doing. Especially if you forget to put sunscreen on because you’ve been on the fake champagne all morning. :P
I hope you enjoy your first Kiwi Christmas! :)
That would definitely be an interesting adjustment and I’d be honest, I don’t think I’d be able to get in the Christmas mood if that were me, lol.
I don’t mind the crowds too much. I guess because I’ve never been in a store where the people were badly behaved. For the most part, things have always been calm and the people mostly polite, despite the crowdedness and rush. But I’m also a little envious of the type of “crowds” and “rush” you’re experiencing in New Zealand. Probably largely in part because I’ve always wanted to go to NZ and even dreamed of living there for a couple years. :-)
As much as I hate winter, I can’t imagine it being hot on Christmas. We’ve had a few warm ones here in NC, but never summer-like. I like things to be a little cold on Christmas, and snowy if possible (ha! that never happens here), but after that I’m ready for spring.
Your post office has LINES?!?!
UGH.
;)
I tend to be in better moods during the cold season and grouchier during the summer. I imagine Christmas doesn’t feel so much like Christmas anymore, eh?
I bet it’s a weird adjustment. I know it’s interesting how different places can be. When I was living in Vancouver, I realized that it was SO different from Arkansas — their manners, consideration, etc., were completely different from the people in Arkansas. I learned in Vancouver everyone is out for themselves and here in Arkansas it’s more about everyone and having consideration etc.
I think living somewhere else is a great experience and everyone should have the opportunity to do it just once in their life.
I’m glad you’re at least liking it down in the southern hemisphere! :D A lot of people complain about snow when they get it – I honestly wish I got it, haha.
I went into the post office the other day and had no problem getting in. There were about 20 people in the store but I honestly don’t think it’s been packed to the point where there are huge lines. In the shops, yes – not really in the post office. If you send cards, you can usually just pop them in a post box outside. :D
Sounds like my kind of place! I live for warm weather, too (it’s 18*F and snowing right now x|). I think it would take some adjusting to summer weather at Christmastime, but the part I enjoy is spending time with family so as long as I got to do that (and BBQs are fun), than it shouldn’t be too bad.
Enjoy your warm weather! :D
for reals! I stay far away from the mall at Christmas time. Ever been to Garden State on a normal Saturday? It’s like that times a million at Christmas. Why they put that damn movie theater there, I’ll never understand. I feel bad for the people that work there. Two hours before their shift to get a parking spot? Insane!
I hate when it is busy at christmas. I generally try and hide and hope that some stores have extended opening hours.
I’ve never had a snowy/icy/cold christmas and had many a BBQ. I find it is much better to have a BBQ lunch than roasts because of how hot it is!
Ha ha, London is INSANE. Katy and I did Regent Street and Oxford Street last weekend and I think there were more people on those streets than in my entire home town.
You sound happy. That makes me happy.
Wow what a total change, I’d have a hard time getting into the holiday spirit!
That is really cool. :)
I don’t think I could deal with having hot weather in December, though. I love new experiences, but change is not for me. o.o
You are a teacher? What do you teach? When I become one, I intend on having projects and requiring work to be shown. Otherwise, with no work to have to show, there is a possibility of cheaters. :(
Caity — It must such a difference to be in summer during the these holidays, but you seem happy and that’s the real making of the holiday.
I hope you have a wonderful BBQ and walk the beach in bare feet, maybe even skipping in the shallow water.
Happy day to you:~)
I always wondered what I would do in a different country around xmas, two years ago I was in Southern California. It was very odd to me, and Christmas just snuck up. It was terrible, and felt…so weird. I hope you can find a slither of normality in all the weirdness though. :P
Sounds like quite a change to get used to, but it seems like you’re enjoying it. :)
For three years while living in Brazil, we had the same ‘problem’ of experiencing warmth during Christmas and it was ‘so hard’ to get into the holiday spirit. For new year’s we celebrated on the *beach*. it was definitely “weird” especially the first Christmas we had there.. then you kinda get used to it, and what was comforting for me was that when Jesus was born, he was after all not far from the desert, during a ‘warm’ season too, so maybe experiencing a warm holiday season is in fact more real than celebrating in a cold season…..
The other day I was at the dry cleaners and there was a gentleman complaining that he never came to town anymore because there were so many people, and I said what! I *always* find a place to park, how are there too many people!
you are so right! Life *is* all about perspective, about gaining insight and seeing how other people do things compared to our own ways… I am so excited for you that you are experiencing all these new view points ! I know from my own experience it really opens your mind to see things differently, not necessarily ‘bad or wrong’.
Enjoy every minute!
Haha, but that’s because you live in a small town. If you lived in Auckland like I do, you’d be hating the REAL rush and hustle and bustle too. I guess it’s not really comparable to the states, but what with all the roadworks in like 3 different places between here and the city, it’s SUCH a nuisance to go anywhere, even when it’s not peak hour traffic. I drove in LA recently, and I must say, at times, apart from the far nicer tarseal here, even during roadworks, Auckland traffic is really starting to feel like LA traffic.
Also, it’s such a hassle to pop down to the supermarket to get groceries or to the mall to get something i REALLY need, as opposed to easy browsing for christmas shopping. People have been driving horrendously, and so many car accidents have been happening. People aren’t paying attention on the road, nor in the (very busy these days) carparks, and it’s just so dangerous!
I’m glad you are enjoying your new experiences. We’ve been having pretty cold weather here. We’re really going to miss you this Christmas! Things just won’t be the same without you here! We’ll be thinking of you having your bar-be-cue as we eat our turkey dinner! ~ LOVE AND MISS YOU! ~ Love, Mom xoxo
To what grade(s) do you teach math? :D That is really cool. :)
That’s a drastic change, but that kind of peace and that pace of life seems like something I need… for now. For a short while. :P Sometimes city life is just too toxic.
That sounds like Guam…except the holidays it’s pretty crowded. Haha. I agree though it does sound pretty weird to complain about only four people in line. It would be great to live where you are. I live in guam. It’s pretty blehhh here. Lol
It would definitely take a little while for me to get used to that. On the other hand, I think I would love it. It sounds like a great new experience. I’m glad you are happy in New Zealand.
Wow, that does sound so different. Four people in a line? I was at the mall on Black Friday and there were hundreds of people waiting. It’s all part of the fun for me, but it’s interesting to see how other people in different cultures view things. Being from CT, it’s similar to NY with the hustle and bustle. I do hope you have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the warm weather!
Reading your post just makes me want to move to New Zealand! And hunt down Flight of the Conchords and kidnap them but that’s another fantasy.
I can imagine that must be quite an adjustment to get used to! I’m literally opposite to you, although not quite as bad that I think 4 people in a queue is bad! I come from a town, and to me going into the city at Christmas is a nightmare. I went a few weeks ago to a bigger town just outside the local city, and that was bad enough!
Welcome back!! I know all about warm weather and Christmas. I think this is the first year that it’s been this cold around Christmas here in S.C.
Enjoy your holiday season!
Hehe, you haven’t seen crowds until you see the motor-way in Wellington at 5pm on the 23rd December. All us Wellingtonites evacuate the city, and head back to our families in small towns/ along the beaches.
I was born near Seattle but spent a good amount of time in Salt Lake City, Chicago and NYC – now just getting back to the boonies after spending a year in Kansas City – and I’ve got to tell you, I could do without the snow, lol!
I already miss the bustle, though, of the busy holiday season. This is truly a one-horse town and yes, we also have people who complain that it’s too busy, mostly the old timers though. It’s too small to even get the bell ringing Santas!
I can’t imagine a calm city during Christmas season! Sounds great! I would be super sad to not have a white Christmas, though.
The Blogger
I'm Caity! I am a New Yorker who married a Kiwi and recently moved across the world to New Zealand. I'm a math teacher who enjoys the outdoors, photography, video games, music, and general geekery.
Life is a great big adventure and I am beginning a whole new journey. It isn't always easy but it is always worth it. ♥
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