So apparently NZ has a big feud thing going on, with the Wellingtonians hating the Aucklanders. Yes, New Yorkers, that may be funny considering all of NZ has about 3 million people, but please do not mock.
But as I am the epitome of civilization and the culmination of human evolution, I break the tie - Wellington is WAY better.
Walking around Wellington was like walking around SOHO, and a few minutes later you were in the Lower East and then quickly again you were in the UES or Park Avenue. All in the space of 20 minutes. The Rainbow Warrior stood docked, ignored, neither overrun by fans nor mocked by protesters, floating on a shimmering harbor reflecting the most azure of skies. The commuters pouring out of the trains (just as I was boarding one out of the city for some wine!!), the grand museum, the quaint little NZX building that flashes a running count of the number of sheep, cows, possums (they are feral, you know) etc.
No, of course not, it was showing stock tickers of course, proving that even in a remote Pacific island far away from Wall Street, people are foolish.
Anyway I digress - Wellington was just a terrific little city, a great cafe culture, bars, restaurants, packed compact on hillsides with a wonderful waterfront and one of the best museums in the world (Te Papa). I even caught a play at the Circa Theatre, and am glad to report that it was a terrific production!
The most curious thing was the (seemingly) empty bar which had about 50 college-students upstairs, on a Wednesday evening, involved in a Quiz. (Who was the lead guitarist of Queen, the quizmaster asked...). I thought that was such a quaint throwback to an earlier era, the sort I grew up in (elsewhere in the Commonwealth and sans the alcohol of course). As I lay in bed, I heard the throngs of people (presumably collegians) walking down the street, singing loudly and dressed to party. Felt just like living on Bleecker.
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