Circa March 2018

Auckland, New Zealand

36.8485° S, 174.7633° E

I was born in Auckland. The longest stretch of time which I spent here was 16 months, from July 2016 to November 2017. I’ve moved back to study, so will be here at least until I graduate in 2020 with a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning (Honours).

During the 16 month period in which I lived in Auckland, I did not do much. I was constantly dreaming of warmer Indian weather, of the colourful fashion, efficient public transport, the spicy food… I was dreaming of another land. I was counting down the days until that flight, I was ready to go home. I wanted to stay home.

While in India, I started this blog, along with my instagram account. I started this because my heart was full, joyful with the beauty of the country, thrilled to be in a familiar environment, loving every part of the trip! Yet, to my dismay, the 8 weeks we spent in South Asia, across India and Nepal went by in a flash - as it always does.

Coming back, my heart was mourning what I had lost. The weather was wet for weeks - in the middle of summer!! The public transport hadn’t improved in my absence, nor the fashion, nor the food. It was exactly how I left it. Dull, in comparison to the India I loved, the Nepal I loved. My heart struggled to adapt back, disappointment and grief were not surprising emotions. I felt betrayed once again, let down, lost. A part of me was lost again, this isn’t where I belong, this isn’t where I want to be.

Fast-forward about two months when realisation hits. The realisation that this country is beautiful. The realisation that New Zealand is where everyone dreams to visit. The realisation that we take so much for granted. The realisation that, hey, New Zealand is beautiful, Auckland is beautiful.

It’s not India. It can’t even compare.

But that’s the thing - it can’t compare. It is beautiful in the most different way. Where India is beautifully noisy, New Zealand is beautifully quiet. Where India is beautifully urbanised, New Zealand is beautifully untouched. Where India is beautifully populated, New Zealand is beautifully unpopulated. Opposite.

Opposite does not mean wrong, different does not mean ugly. Both are beautiful!

And with this realisation that has dawned on me, I have also acknowledged that I won’t live in New Zealand forever. This is a phase, this is a time that will soon pass. And just as 8 weeks in South Asia passed in a flash, 5 years in New Zealand will pass as a different flash. This realisation has challenged me more than anything to make the most of absolutely everything that there is on offer here.

Auckland, you have so much to offer. Kilometers of coastline, tens of volcanic hills, hundreds of public parks, a handful of regional parks, countless walking tracks, cycling trails, waterfalls, swimming holes, climbing trees, gardens. Auckland, you have old and new architecture, art galleries, the cutest cafes, the best events, the craziest weather.

I can’t imagine how much I’d be missing out on if I let these 5 years whoosh by. I can’t imagine the regret that I’ll feel if I put everything off until “tomorrow”. Folks, tomorrow never comes.

Just as my 8 weeks in South Asia were action packed, these remaining 3 years will be some of the best memories I make. Action packed, but different. Different, but beautiful.

So here I let you all know that the India adventures are over, but the New Zealand adventures are about to begin.

Stay tuned for more, lovely readers! <3