I successfully arrived on the morning of the 8th! Somehow nothing managed to go seriously wrong even though there were multiple attempts by fate to ruin my travel plans.
To start it all off I went to the wrong terminal at O'hare. Logically, in my brain, I needed to go to the International Terminal because my final destination was New Zealand. However, I was actually supposed to go to Terminal 1 for United Airlines to get to Los Angeles. So I had to bustle through the airport, get on the train, and get to United check in. Once there I used the self-check in kiosk to get my boarding pass. However, it didn't scan me all the way through to Queenstown, just to Los Angeles. Therefore, my suitcase was not labeled to go all the way through and I had to talk to multiple people at the LA airport to get my bag to New Zealand. However, the other students and I managed to get to Auckland and then to Queenstown with my bag successfully joining me.
To start it all off I went to the wrong terminal at O'hare. Logically, in my brain, I needed to go to the International Terminal because my final destination was New Zealand. However, I was actually supposed to go to Terminal 1 for United Airlines to get to Los Angeles. So I had to bustle through the airport, get on the train, and get to United check in. Once there I used the self-check in kiosk to get my boarding pass. However, it didn't scan me all the way through to Queenstown, just to Los Angeles. Therefore, my suitcase was not labeled to go all the way through and I had to talk to multiple people at the LA airport to get my bag to New Zealand. However, the other students and I managed to get to Auckland and then to Queenstown with my bag successfully joining me.
Flying into Queenstown was stunning because it is right in the mountains. You fly right into the valley and over the water before arriving at the airport.
Christina from Massey University met us at the airport. She surprised me by exuberantly announcing "the horse girl!" when I introduced myself. Apparently, she was the one who set up my internship. The other students and I were loaded into a shuttle to the hostel and we had a few hours to explore Queenstown. We all went to Fergburger for lunch (which is apparently quite famous) and I had a venison burger which was amazing. They have tons of specialty burgers to choose and I highly recommend them.
Christina from Massey University met us at the airport. She surprised me by exuberantly announcing "the horse girl!" when I introduced myself. Apparently, she was the one who set up my internship. The other students and I were loaded into a shuttle to the hostel and we had a few hours to explore Queenstown. We all went to Fergburger for lunch (which is apparently quite famous) and I had a venison burger which was amazing. They have tons of specialty burgers to choose and I highly recommend them.
We had orientation the rest of the day, which was mostly safety information. The next day was also an orientation day, with more focus on the expedition and case studies. Our teams of six were formed which are essentially our mini families that we cook with. We had an Amazing Race through the city with things to do and find and my team got third place! Below are some of the pictures from our "All Blacks" team adventure!
We went grocery shopping for the next few days as a team because we needed to shop for three lunches and two dinners. We will be eating lots of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches over the next two weeks!
We left on the morning on the 10th for the High Country Sheep Station!
We left on the morning on the 10th for the High Country Sheep Station!