Flying Solo

How many people catch the bus straight to The Koru lounge?  I would rather spend my money on the destination, than the journey.  Like economy class versus First Class, to me,  it’s about delayed gratification.  

Actually, the bus ride makes sense...they have their own lane, so they’re quicker.  You can sleep, if a little jaded without 'lack of conversation' guilt.  You get a birds eye view of the city. It’s a fifth of the price. Why wouldn’t you?

The Koru membership is a great gift to give your husband on his birthday under your airpoints number.  It means whenever you travel together he receives all the benefits.  It also means you do too, whether together or apart. Sadly, he is only the former. #bygones . I’ve showered in Koru, eaten my own body weight, drank like a sailor, sat smugly up the front of the plane, offloaded my carry on luggage onto an elitist trolley and generally enjoyed as many benefits as I can. 

Travelling alone, like going to the movies alone is a learned skill.  I am well practiced.  On a recent trip to Auckland, I had two free days to enjoy while waiting to fulfil my maternal duties at night, after the eldest child returned from her working day.

Maximising my mother/daughter time, I trailed her to work on the bus (an old friend], then to a Mojo outlet to enjoy a millennial's breakfast of eggs and coffee, pre work.  No dishes or preparation. Easy.  After a jovial farewell, I headed to the ferry terminal and bought a ticket to Rangitoto Island for a Tuesday morning exploration.  Literally, in her shoes, as I had bought carry on, I trudged up the 260m to the peak, loving every step at my own pace.

Under advisement from the shoe’s owner, I had packed a lunch of TANK® salad as there were no shops on the island.  I enjoyed the snack immensely, back at the wharf, post climb. Alone and loving it, I didn’t need to check if my ‘partner’ was okay, needed a loo, had enough sustenance of their choice or was too tired. Instead I looked out over the Hauraki Gulf and chomped leisurely lost in my own thoughts and the stunning view.  

Back to the CBD on the ferry is worth the $32 return trip. The wind in your fringe on the top deck and  being sandwiched between foreign visiting families, really gives you a tourist vibe. 

On my walk home, I stopped/fell into a quaint wee Asian Grocer on Parnell Rise, after almost passing out in the heat and incline.  The dear old mama eyed me suspiciously as I circled the aisles formulating a dinner plan for that night.  $24 later I had the makings of a vege curry on sweet potato noodles sussed, and dragged my haul further up the hill to the lair.

Because I could, I peered through windows, actually entered shops I was interested in and even spoke at leisure with strangers.  Needing a pause from all this self satisfaction, I headed for home to unload and then venture out to the nearby museum. Another one of ‘my’ fave spots. 

The heat of the day and the strenuous walking got to me and after knocking up the evening meal nice and early, I lurched for the couch and was found there many hours later.  I did manage to sprint down to the local Asian nail shop but upon pre-payment,  learnt I should have carried cash as they would not accept credit.  #amateur

My eldest daughter appreciated my culinary efforts and we chatted and lazed about.  She repaid me by painting my nails without demanding a cashflow card.

The following morning after a nourishing home cooked breakfast together, I dragged myself out of the flat after a spot of cleaning, not because it needed it, but because that's my language of love. Service.  I also refolded two shelves of clothes before extricating myself.

The Auckland Museum is a must see.  Who knew they could cram so much into a seemingly average sized building. Unlike the Christchurch Museum where entry is free to all, the Aucklanders only charge the tourists. $25 each.  Kiwis are exempt with proof of residency.  Brilliant idea.  The place was brimming with paying customers.  I only had an hour, so barely touched the sides.  I will definitely be back to loiter longer. 

All good things must come to an end and I must return to my real life and let my child live hers. It is a special time and one I relish, connecting on a one on one level.

As 'Arnie" says, "I'll be back!"

International Womens Day

We are creatures of habits....bad habits!  My weekly blog has stretched out like Helen Parr (of the Incredibles Movie) to three weekly.  Doh!  I feel like a butterfly flitting from moments in time, usually 3-4 week bands and completely obliterating regular tasks in favour of the current mood. I was surprised to see a late payment charge on my regular phone and power bills as I had put into place 'alarms' to remind me.  Obviously not alarming enough as I went into online banking and discovered I had missed a month of bill paying?? The reason was I had two holidays within that month and had studiously ignored regular tasks. I'm only 53, so there is plenty of time to get it right.

I digress, back to my "weekly" blog.

Women eh, I could wax lyrical endlessly about them.  I am one, I produced two more, I drink coffee and wine with a lot of them, I was cut out of one 53 years ago, my country is led by one and most of all, I am inspired by them daily.

I was asked to go to a breakfast by my bridesmaid (duties ceased 30 years ago) at Duncan Cotterill for International Womens Day.  I ummed and ahhed at the early morning wake up required, then put on my big girl pants and was happily jolted out of blissful slumber at 6.30am for a 7.30am start in the city.  The right side of my face needed a good hour to catch up.

 Women of all ages, shapes, and occupations filed into the 100 seat room, and chatted amicably with each other.  Dress for Success was the chosen charity, ASB bank had supplied the dainty food and Duncan Cotterill the venue. 

The three speakers were varied beginning with Hannah Duder of Indigo and Iris, a young personal friend of our family, so I was familiar with her brand.  She lit up the room with her smile, message and authenticity. Her take home message was; you can make money and do good simultaneously, as she was living, breathing proof of this.  She is a driven youth and her desire to improve humanity is a sight to behold.

Kerry Jackson of MM Linen was up next.  More relatable to me as she was in her 50's.  That was where the relatibilty ended.  She started off slowly, drawing you in to her story and graciously sharing her personal life which touched on low self esteem issues, marital problems and eventual  career halting issues. She spoke with confidence and ease as if we were a room of her friends and regaled us with her meteoric rise to fame and fortune within the short space of four years that she had achieved this.  Jobless, divorced and with a child at 50, she now runs a company that has over 500 stockists worldwide.  She acts almost as surprised as us at how she has achieved this feat.

Hannah mentioned in her talk that as women we need to collaborate, not compete....'leave the ladder out' and help fellow women up it. 

The final morning lineup was Rosa and Margo of Two Raw Sisters. They started their journey very early and have had amazing success and experience in their short lives. In their twenties they are  full of vim and vigour for their chosen path of bringing a 'plant based' diet to the world.

Afterwards on the drive home, it struck me, that as a woman ages, they gain more confidence; financially, communally and spiritually but still seem to fight the battle of aging.  Buying into anti-aging products, continuing to dye their hair, contemplating anti-aging plastic surgery, and still working on the outside package as opposed to the winner within. 

This group of women intrigued me.  The reciprocal lessons learned between two generations.
Who was whose role models?