Tuesday in Auckland

We’re now more than two weeks into our Retirement Sojourn and slowly adjusting to the routine of living in Auckland, New Zealand. It’s a different lifestyle than what we lived in Chicago before this adventure. Of course, we were still working then, so we’re also adjusting to life in retirement and not just adjusting to a different location. It’s a LOT of change!

This week, we are transitioning to a more routine – and less of a tourist – life. We have explored the main sites and activities for typical Auckland tourists, and are beginning to live more like locals. We rise in the morning and either go for a run or for a long walk to begin the day (or to the Fitness Room, if it’s raining – but we’ve only had to do that one time so far!). Our usual distance is four miles, same as we did in Chicago.

When we run, we take the Grafton Gulch Trail to the Pink Lights Trail, which loops around the city center. When we walk, we tend to end up traversing Albert Park and to the waterfront or around the CBD from there as we explore new paths with hidden nooks and crannies. We keep finding new places that surprise us with unexpected sights and hidden charms.

Today, for example, we cut through Albert Park with its enormous, grand trees and stumbled onto the incredible gorgeous and gigantic fallen trees tumbling across the sidewalks around Emily Place Reserve. Then along the CBD (Central Business District), where we encounted some striking structures we hadn’t come across previously. After returning “home” for lunch at our place, we cut through Meyers Park, just behind our temporary home, to complete a few mundane chores (mailing a package, picking up dry cleaning, shopping for a few items for tomorrow’s breakfast).

It’s a mostly simple life we’re leading here in Auckland, filled with sitting on our balcony overlooking Meyers Park and reading books and checking out some movies in the evening via Netflix or Amazon Prime. But it’s punctuated by occasional highlights when we check out a newly discovered “site to see” or “fun thing to do.”

Tonight, for example, we are meeting the friend of a friend from Chicago (thanks for making the introduction, Kate!). Toni lives in Auckland and we will meet her for the first time over dinner tonight. We can’t wait to hear her thoughts on life in Auckland and any tips she might have for our remaining time in the city.

It’s all a part of the adventure and the chance to connect with someone who lives far from our home, living different kinds of lives with different experiences and perspectives, and sharing a few moments. It’s the secret sauce that powers us and makes life an adventure. We try to do the same thing in Chicago, but it’s especially exciting while traveling.

It opens our eyes. It challenges us. It strengthens our bond and enriches our range of shared experiences. Life is short and goes by so quickly. We want to make every moment count for as long as we can. So, even on a routine Tuesday, we are learning new things and meeting new people and experiencing new things. You know, we’re living life.

— Scot