Life in New Zealand

I realize that some of the posts to my blog aren't very informative about life here in New Zealand - although pictures say a great deal, they aren't the entire story. I thought I might shed some light on the topic - from my point of view, of course.



Some facts perhaps to begin. I just filled up the Corolla for $80. Gas has gone down in price lately but that is still higher than when I arrived. It used to cost $67. In the US, before I moved, I remember it was about $34 a tank!



We spend between $175-$200 a week on groceries. Things like cheese and chicken, thinks we eat often are expensive. A small block of cheese is $5 - $6 and two chicken breasts run about $10.00.



For the birth of Lucy and baby number two we have hired a "specialist" i.e. an OBGYN. When you find yourself pregnant in NZ you generally just find a midwife and get on with it. Most babies are born in a hospital but most woman are not followed by a doctor unless an issue arises. Being an older mum this stressed me out so we hired Dr. Barton. He's great and I am glad for his experience. His fee is $2500 in total and that includes a c-section if needed - and one was for Lucy! I suspect most women in the US would pay that amount in insurance co-payments.



There are no orange pumpkins in NZ around Halloween time. Last year we carved an acorn squash and some kind of white pumpkin; not quite the same. Lucy will be attending a Halloween party, however, hosted by my friend Allison (another American) for kids that attend her son's school. It should be heaps of fun. Many kiwi's seem to think Halloween is a bizarre holiday where Americans send their kids out to beg for food. Ah well, last year we handed out candy and will do so again. It was fun.



Lucy and I went to a petting zoo/farm walk yesterday. Lots of animals, some fences, food to feed the mini beasts and not a single "employee" of the farm in site. In the US you could imagine warning signs, staff and lists of things you can't do - just so you wouldn't sue the owners if a pig squealed too loud! The only warning we were given was not to get in the pen with the mamma big who had just given birth to the piglets.



The national elections is set for 8 November here, so right around the same time as the US election. The election was called about a month ago and I am hearing heaps of kiwis say they are sick of the election politics. HA! If only they knew what it was like in the US. Can you imagine only two months of campaigning?

More soon!