Before arriving here in New Zealand I booked a flight to Brisbane in Australia because I needed an outbound ticket to get myself through immigration. I had been umm-ing and aah-ing about where to go next and in the end I plumped for Brisbane as it seemed like a good launching pad to just about anywhere. It was a cheap deal too so it wouldn’t break the bank if I changed my mind. But I’ve just cancelled it. It looks like I could be in New Zealand for a while.
Over the last few weeks, and until this moment, decision making has escaped me. Daily developments surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic forced me into inaction and I found myself just watching and waiting to see how things unfolded. Gradually, each country I imagined I might visit next began to feel more and more like a risk not worth taking. Or they simply closed their borders. It was as if the world was getting smaller. And I thought it can’t be just me who feels like I’m living in some sort of dystopian novel.
But whilst watching and waiting, and despite the feelings of inaction, I have managed to do some exploring here in NZ and just like everyone said, it is absolutely and ridiculously beautiful. And that being so, I realise how incredibly lucky I am to find myself in this vast and seemingly never-ending landscape at a time when living cheek by jowl in urban environments must be incredibly anxiety provoking. I really have spent a lot of time reflecting on how the stars have aligned to put me here right at this moment. Especially after happily bumping my way through so many countries that are now in a state of emergency. I could so easily be telling a very different story. And, having recently laid flat on my back to look up at the Milky Way sparkling over Lake Tekapo, I am well aware of how brightly those stars are shining.
So, for the time being at least, New Zealand is where I’ll stay. I have 90 days on my visa (which began on March 1st) and I have wonderful friends in the shape of the ChO’C family here in Christchurch who have welcomed me with open arms and say I can stay for as long as it takes. Together, we’re hatching plans for some community-minded projects and having conversations about how this apparent seismic shift in the way we are being forced to live in the short-term, might positively impact the way we live in the long-term. We’re also getting in some good early morning hill walks and runs. All of this keeps me happy in these oh so unusual times.
As well as wondering how on earth I have found myself here at this point in history, my thoughts are also with my loved ones far away. I miss my family especially right now. And am grateful for the nudges, hugs, and chats I’ve had in the last few days. Strange days indeed.
Comments