Part 3…
It is 7am and I am reflecting on the previous night. My first night in Auckland. As soon as I got to the Airbnb, the host, David, a lovely British man who has been living in Auckland now for over 10 years, showed me around and gave me some ideas on places to go and things to do. I am starting to notice a theme in the people that I have spoken with - so many have immigrated to Aotearoa for a different way of life, perhaps a… better way of life. I am thinking of the Indian woman whose family owned the Indian restaurant I went to that evening. The food was absolutely delicious and I loved the way this woman knew all the customers. When I first got there, I asked her about her time in New Zealand, “I’ve been here since I was 19. Came here from India with my soon to be husband. It was an arranged marriage. But now, I have been here 22 years and it’s slow and quiet, though it’s changing a lot. But we like it here.” The conversation continued as I asked her more about her family and what it was like to be in an arranged marriage. I continue to be grateful for what strangers share with me. Perhaps in these unexpected moments of connection, a stranger can help us feel seen, heard, valued… known. Mmm. I continue to think back as I get up and get ready for my Crossfit-esque class. Yes, you read that correctly. After dinner, I went grocery shopping and found an amazing gym by the grocery store and signed up for class immediately. This is a vacation but it’s also… not…
“If you want, I have an extra e-bike and would be happy to take you to my favorite little forest. It’s a lovely ride and there are some Maraes that we’ll go by - we can stop if you’d like.” David offers a few hours into my first day in New Zeland, to which I enthusiastically say, “yes.” See, I am here in Auckland without much of a plan. Again, the goal is to get to know the people and let Spirit lead me wherever It wants me to go. I also have fallen in love with Maori culture and want to learn more. Side note: I was in a Narrative Therapy class back in April, in that class I decided that I wanted to be a Narrative Therapist, after my initial assignment is complete, that is. For those new to my world, chasing the theatre things is the first assignment. And in that class, besides feeling called to South Africa to study more with the incredible facilitator and Narrative Therapist, Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo, the desire to go to New Zealand got even stronger. There is something in me that says I am supposed to work with Maori people, something having to do with Storytelling… I just don't know what that thing is yet, but I am sure it will reveal itself before my trip is over.
The Crossfit-esque class is a 30 minute walk from the Airbnb. I do not drive, so my plan is to walk to as many places as I can. The class is amazing, the people, so kind. When the class ends, I feel such a sense of community. I think, “When I move here, making friends won’t be that hard at all…” I am taken aback by this thought, “Wait… when I move here…?” The thought goes but the feeling remains…
It is now Friday and time for my adventure with David. It’s been 10 years since I have ridden a bike and I have never ridden an e-bike before. Also, this whole driving on the left side business is freaking me out. Oh, and he doesn’t have an extra helmet, eek! But, the adventurous side of me is now in control and she wants this experience. We spend the next 4 hours riding around Auckland and in nature. The reverence he has for his little forest. He was hired to help bring the forest back to life. This is something I would never have really thought about before, but when looking at each trunk, each leaf, each branch, through his eyes, well, it makes me reflect on my relationship to nature and how I care, or not care, for her.
Saturday, and it’s time to see my friend and fellow Dominicana, Marianela. I don’t believe in synchronicity or coincidence, so, when I met Marianela a few weeks ago at a wonderful conference, to hear that she was going to be in Auckland the same time that I was, well, no coincidence there, but, quite the delightful surprise, indeed. She is a psychologist who is headed to Australia to take the Narrative Therapy intensive at The Dulwich center. This is a class I wanted to take but it was full. But I have my eyes on it for next year. We meet at the Maritime museum for a quick hot beverage and then we begin our walk in the rain. A few blocks in and we both feel called to go into this gallery on the corner, The Kura Gallery. We walk in and as we start looking around, the gallery manager comes over to talk with us and as she begins to talk about the Maori art that lives in this gallery, she begins to tell the story of the Maori people. Mmm. I feel this sense of knowing come over me. Yes. I was meant to walk into this gallery, wasn’t I? Mmm.
To be continued…
PART 1…
I am seated in the middle seat, in the back row of a Boeing 747 wondering, “What the fuck am I doing?” Over the loudspeaker, I hear, “Welcome aboard American Airlines flight AA35 to Auckland, New Zealand.” I take a deep breath, “Guess we’re really doing this, Elizabeth.” New Zealand wasn’t even on my radar until an old friend moved there several years prior, but, even still, it seemed so out of reach - as if those who went there were gone forever, living in a world on a totally different timeline. Well, they kind of are on a different timeline, aren’t they? Then, in 2020, I longed to be in a place that seemed to have handled Covid better than the United States had. So many of us longed to be Kiwi at that time. So many of us felt like we had been propelled into a fucked up alternate universe, ripped from any sense of reason and normalcy, and wanted to run away and find our way back home. And then I got hit with an idea for a musical, “In Between…” And then came the signs. Sign after sign after sign after sign. It was quite overwhelming. So, well, it was only a matter of time, wasn’t it?
“Flight attendants, prepare for takeoff.” I say a prayer to myself, as I always do before I take off on a plane. Side note: in my culture, we clap every time our plane lands, and I didn’t know, until I was older and on a plane with predominantly white people, that that doesn’t happen on most flights, but this Dominican still claps on the inside, yes she does, but I digress. I breathe and place my life in the hands of The Great Celestial Weaver, understanding that this is yet another thread in the tapestry of my life… another chapter longing to be written. The thing is, though, I’m not quite sure what this chapter is about yet. Signs feel meaningless without clarity. A feeling, a knowing, but no real vision. I don’t know what to do with this. So going 9,000 miles away to find it, by myself, well it’s pretty fucking frightening. Leaps of faith feel scarier the older I get. I would have thought it would have been the opposite. I am hoping that something shifts… Maybe that shift happens on this trip…
The plane starts to move faster and faster. I clench my jaw. I close my eyes and reflect on the brief conversationI had with the older woman, seated right next to me, upon realizing I was seated in the middle seat:
ME: Hi, umm, so sorry to bother you but I have sciatica and I am going to be up and down the entire flight. I hope that’s okay.
OLDER WOMAN: What’s your name?
ME: Elizabeth, what’s yours?
OLDER WOMAN: Jan
ME: Nice to meet you, Jan.
OLDER WOMAN: I have restless leg syndrome, so I will be up and down too. That’s why I chose the aisle seat, haha.
ME: That’s why I usually choose the aisle seat as well. I thought I was in the middle seat on the shorter flight back to Boston from Dallas. But, um, ugh, haha.
OLDER WOMAN: If you need to get up, whenever you need to get up, even if I look like I’m sleeping, tap me on the shoulder and I’ll get up.
ME: Wow! Thanks Jan!
A smile comes to my face. As I reflect on this moment, I feel a warmth come over me that wasn’t there before. And as we leave the ground, head up above the clouds, I suddenly think, no, I know, “You’re going to be alright, Elizabeth. More than all right.” Off to Auckland, New Zealand I go!
To be continued…
PART 2…
“Welcome to Auckland, Aotearoa, New Zealand.” I begin to laugh uncontrollably as what I have done is fully dawning on me. “I am in Auckland, New Zealand, hahahaha” I repeat this to myself over and over again as I say goodbye to my plane mates, Jan and Michael. Michael is a lovely young Texan man who has been living in New Zealand for the past ten years. He has a lovely Texan accent mixed with New Zealand undertones, listening to him talk during the 14 hour plane ride was such a joy. I make my way out of the plane, reflecting on all the beautiful people I got to spend time with. The young one’s who were in their pajamas handing out snacks. The flight attendants who were in their 40th year of service which meant that they had dibs on the coolest trips. Trips like New Zealand. Reflecting on Jan’s friend, Deb, who was a theatre enthusiast and longed to be a dancer and said, “I’m going to come back as a choreographer in my next life!” To which I said, “why wait for the next life??” We talked about all the things that we cared most about - traveling and playing the organ at some of the most beautiful churches in the world, serving food to the unhoused, reproductive rights, fear of the forthcoming election, how unexpectedly good the plane food was and what we looked forward to doing when we got to New Zealand...
I take a deep breath as I exit the plane. I walk over to the currency desk and am immediately greeted by a Maori woman. Her accent is like music to my ears. Her presence, stunning. Behind me, a young couple and their friends. One of my goals in this trip is to get to know the people, so I ask, “what brought you to Auckland?” The friend responds, “My friends boyfriend is kiwi and she’s an American and so they’re getting married so she can get residency. And we’re here to celebrate!” I wish them luck and head on my way. And as I walk, I think, “it’s amazing what people will tell you when you just ask.” I make my way through customs, “that was too easy,” I thought.
It feels like another world. Well, it is, isn’t it? I exit and immediately, something shifts in me. I feel this pull, this calling. I hear a small, internal, still voice say, “hello, Elizabeth. Welcome.” I take another deep breath.
It’s a cloudy day in Auckland, but, it feels like a light is shining on me. “What is this?” I wonder. I make my way over to the super shuttle stop and I see a family and I ask, “So, where are you all headed?” The Mum, a lovely woman with dirty blonde hair and gorgeous blue eyes, responds, “we’re going on a cruise! The cruise line is closing and its our favorite and last opportunity to take it.” I smile, that Kiwi accent is intoxicating. “Where is the cruise going?” “Australia!” her young son responds while his sister cocks her head to the side and looks at me with such curiosity and kindness. Another couple, both with the most gorgeous tattoos, walks up, the husband looks at me and says, “Oh, you already have you pounamu, I see.” I am wearing the necklace my friend gave me. It is a greenstone and hold great value in the Maori culture. His wife is a Reiki healer and spiritual coach and after I speak to my Pikorua and my longing for a spiritual connection to nature and Spirit, she says, “so much aroha. You’re going to love it here.” I am starting to believe that I am.
As we pull up to the Airbnb, I say my goodbyes. I am sad to say goodbye to what felt like new friends. I reflect on how when we passed a Taco Bell, the family with the young kids spoke to Taco Bell being their favorite restaurant. I had never seen eyes open up so wide with joy when speaking of a Taco Bell. It was so genuine… so real. Seemingly inconsequential, but oh so meaningful.
My Airbnb… Oh, this Airbnb… My home, my sanctuary for the next 12 days. The clouds have parted. The sun is shinning.
To be continued…