Off to Middle Earth
I mean New Zealand. According to the information sheet, “New Zealand experiences relatively little air pollution compared to many other countries, which makes the UV rays in (NZ) sunlight very strong during the summer months. In order to avoid sunburn, visitors should wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats when they are in direct summer sunlight.”
Reaction 1: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
Reaction 2: You mean Metro Manila pollution is good for something?!
Reaction 3: Okay, I have sunglasses, and VMV Hypoallergenics makes an amazing SPF 70 sunscreen for face and body that has no smell. Didn’t have time to order a proper sun hat from Mich Dulce and I don’t think she’s in town anyway. But I found a wide-brimmed hat in ac 632 that almost, almost fits my head! Just have to make sure it doesn’t fall off (use hatpins). There were hats in the Filipiniana section of Landmark at one-tenth the cost but none of them fit, and our local hat-makers really need help with design.
Autumn has begun in that part of the world, so I’m getting a reprieve from this blazing summer.
What I know about NZ: Crowded House, the All-Blacks, locations for The Lord of the Rings, and why the toilet flushes in the other direction (Coriolis force).
Off to the airport shortly. It’s a long trip; taking The Brothers Karamazov.
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Gilbert, thank you for your very kind offer. Please send all snail mail to Jessica Zafra c/o Anvil Publishing, 8007B Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. Enclose your return address so I can write you back (though it may take a while).
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
March 22nd, 2010 at 16:33
You’re coming here? How exciting! Autumn time is cardigan time; since your body is covered up, you’ll need the sunblock only on your face :-) Some other things you might want to know about NZ: NZers love small talk so smile and respond when someone asks how was your day; they are also overly courteous so expect to hear and say, ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’, ‘excuse me’ a lot, and don’t jump the queue (i.e. walang agawan/unahan); the service industry does not expect tipping so keep your change; avoid the malls, they are boring; ask questions if you need to, they seem to like giving out information. Have fun!
March 22nd, 2010 at 17:09
Jessica, I hope you come to Sydney, Australia on your way back. If you do, you can count on the hospitality of my wife and myself (amongst your other correspondents here), if you like. Just email.
And, just so you know, we have way fresher air here than in NZ. (We are also better at rugby, cricket, saying the number six, etc.) :p
Have a safe trip.
March 22nd, 2010 at 22:05
Sorry you are misinformed.
http://www.snopes.com/science/coriolis.asp
March 22nd, 2010 at 22:07
If that were true, what would you observe while you are inside the comfort room at the equator? Get it?
March 23rd, 2010 at 01:59
I hope you’ll be familiar with Flight of The Conchords once you’re done with the NZ trip.
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:35
Enjoy NZ! But I think you are slightly optimistic about getting sun at this time of the year.
As a Filipino living in the Land of the Long White Cloud (Aotearoa), I look forward to your views on NZ.