Homeward Bound

Having nearly abandoned this blog in my final weeks in New Zealand, I thought it would be fitting to return one more time to bring it to a close. Tomorrow morning I'll be heading to Auckland airport to begin the trip home. After a full-day flight into Seoul Korea, I'll be staying at a - haha - Best Western hotel near the airport for the duration of my 16-hour layover. From there I'll leave Seoul at around 10:20 AM on May 4, arriving in Atlanta, GA at around roughly the same time (11 AM, May 4). The last, short haul will put me back in Cincinnati by 1:30 PM that day.

So - where to even begin... I've spent 3 1/2 months in a foreign country, away from family, friends and a very patient girlfriend (who I appreciate all the more for sticking by me through this -thank you, sweetheart). I made several attempts to find paying work without much success. Offering to work for no pay didn't provide me with many options either. This trip, to be honest, was nothing at all as I had expected it to be.

And yet, I'm leaving content. I haven't accomplished many resume-worthy feats. I've had to get creative with ways of staying busy during the week while my flatmate was at work. And I've become much, much more cynical at the prospect of finding a real job in print journalism. But with that all said - I'm content.

I've made some amazing friends and met some truly fascinating people. I've seen sights that no photography book could do justice. I've rekindled my love for soccer. I've gained 15 pounds as a result of my six-meals-a-day diet and frequent gym sessions. I've discovered my love for wine, hiking, biking, rock climbing and other general activities that don't require an Internet connection. I've walked through Mordor and canoed down the River Anduin from Fellowship of the Ring, allowing me to check off by far the geekiest must-do off my bucket list.

And while I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready to come home - I absolutely am - it wouldn't be fair to leave it at that. I've accomplished a great deal in some respects, and I wouldn't have traded the experience for the world.

Several nights ago, Will and I, along with a few friends that I've made during my time here, topped my trip off with a visit to New Zealand's most highly regarded restaurant, The French Cafe. We booked several months in advance and showed up looking pretty swank in our suits, ties (well, most of us) and spotless shoes. I'd love to go into detail about every course, but I lack the complex vocabulary that is necessary for describing the subtle AWESOMENESS of high-brow, extremely pricey, culinary bliss. If you're at all curious, a description of our 11-course meal can be found at their website here:

http://www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz/menus_cheftasting.html

All I can really say is that this was the first time I've ever eaten where I've walked away convinced that you truly do get what you pay for when it comes to food. It's not as simple as having a fancy name with a fancy menu and throwing together some fancy ingredients with a very fancy price tag. It's much, much more. Who would have thought that black truffle - a fungi/spore that grows in the ground - could make your taste buds dance? Chicken liver with apple caramels? Unbelievable. And, as it turns out, caviar really does live up to the hype.

I'd just like to end this final update with a personal thanks to my roommate and very good friend, Will. You have made this trip more than I could have ever hoped. Your thirst for adventure is contagious (albeit sometimes very tiring, haha). If anyone ever plans to visit New Zealand, this is truly the man you should have by your side. So to the best tour guide I've ever known, thank you.

See you all soon,
John