worldstodiscover: Plus Twelve

Today I flew South and as far away as I've ever been from the Greenwich Meridian line. I crossed the date line and in doing so I lost my Sunday. The 18th of April 2010 is officially a day I have never lived through (and never will). For some losing a Sunday would be annoying. It's potentially the most important day of the weekend. However, for others it could mean a shorter week, like those still living where I grew up (in Bahrain) where the weekend is Friday and Saturday. Amazing but true, not all weekends use the same days. Actually many people choose different days off depending on their jobs. Right now, in 2010, the only significance to a weekend is that others have the day off so are available to hang out. Aside from this most days are like the others.

So, here I am, twelve time zones ahead of UTC or GMT. This idea of the international date line is playing tricks with me. I saw the Sun set on Saturday and then the next viewing was it rising on Monday morning. I talk to people and they are living through yesterday. Winter is arriving when a few days ago Summer was clearly on the way. I have finally jumped through time and proved to myself, it's open to individual interpretation, some may say relative. In other words time is unique to us all and we all experience it differently. The Sun sets and the Sun rises but we name the days and we set the clocks. When we have this power it makes me wonder why we choose to only have two day weekends, why not choose three?

Outside of my childlike excitement surrounding time travel the flight was uneventful. I suppose the 40 minutes of turbulence was unusual, but not significant. The only effect was the absence of an all important bread roll that should have accompanied my meal. Everyone, included the flight attendants, had to remain seated so my bread roll was forgotten and left undelivered to my plate. When next flying Qantas I'll be sure to remember and ask for two rolls. It's important to keep the universe in balance.

Prior to my flight my attempts for an upgrade were met with resistance. I imagine it has something to do with all the spare seats available. I had even tried dressing up in hope of a "you look fit for first class walk this way" comment. Hah! Anyway, thanks to all the spare seats I had plenty of room and this certainly helped as I spent most of my journey asleep. I'm sure the late advice received prior to my flight also helped (thanks Ray!). If you find yourself on a long haul flight I recommend a window seat, not for the view but for the pleasure of leaning against something that isn't a fellow passenger.

Arrival in Auckland was very much like arriving in the UK. I always start to think of the weather when arriving somewhere. The strong light glaring into the cabin makes me think that clear blue skies are certain. However, as altitude drops so too does the light and expectations of a clear day. Gazing out of the window there is nothing but grey cloud. It clears as land approaches but only because you have sunk below a ceiling of cloud. I'm very familiar with this grey roof thanks to time spent in the UK but often fooled into thinking it's permanent. It's not, clouds can clear and they certainly did as I took the Airbus Express into town. Although rain wasn't far away and fell on and off through my first day, it's warm. The rainbow greeting me for my landing could be considered a good sign. Time to go looking for a pot of gold, that'll keep me occupied for the next few weeks!

So, internet is a pay for access affair in Auckland. Finding this out sent me on a search, and as usual I find myself surrounded by books. Auckland Public Library has free access but it's limited to 100MB/day and as I'm currently hitting the limit I will have to sign off. Enjoy what's left of my yesterday, it was good to me I hope it will be good to you.