Auckland at Christmas Eve - A dead city

December 24th, one day before Christmas! It's the last day at school this week, because we're gonna have a holiday on Thursday and Friday, so it's gonna be a four days off! The Christmas holiday is really not the only holiday around these days. Next week we'll have the exact same situation, a holiday on Thursday and Friday, because of New Year! For the next week I'm gonna take some days off. Yes, that's right, some days off. Some students are going to travel to a few places for a 5 days trip. The destination is Rotorua, Taupo and Waitomo (I believe these are all Maori names). We're leaving Monday at 10am and we'll be back Friday around 6pm. There are many nice things to do in these places, but that's something I'm gonna save to tell you latter. Today, after regular classes, junk food lunch and buying an umbrella (very important at this moment) I've been in Newmark area. It's not a shopping mall nor a huge supermarket, although it's a dream for each and every woman in the world. Newmark is an area where the streets have plenty stores with different products (and prices). We entered in a cloth store that seemed very common, where a jacket costs $800! Anyway, they have Nike stores, Adidas, Hugo Boss and so many others. I could not find what I was looking for: a GAP or Guess store. Anyway, walking around Newmark area was worth it, at least I know it's a place where I have to come back! Latter on I went back to Midtown (it's not downtown, but it's really close), where I had to stop by Starbucks once again to dave a Caramel Hot Chocolate! :) Something I didn't mentioned in the last posts is that in Starbucks (by Queen St) there are a few birds going inside and outside the store. It's a great place to go after work, with some classical music playing and some nice seats. I would appreciate one of this in Novo Hamburgo or Sao Leopoldo. I believe that neither in Porto Alegre they have a stylish Starbucks like this one. After a great cup of coffee (in my case it was a hot chocolate, but a cup of coffee fits better in the phrase :P ) I went to the bus stop. It was almost 7pm and Auckland was looking said. The stores were all closed (except the nice Starbucks store) and the streets were almost empty. I have to admit that I was quite nervous and anxious, because I didn't know for sure if the Christmas Eve at my homestay would be tonight or tomorrow. On my way home I felt something really good and interesting. For every person who was getting off the bus, the bus driver was saying some nice words (nothing automatic, like just 'Merry Christmas'). Some people got a 'Take care man', some got a 'don't drink too much on these holidays' and others got a 'have a good time - Merry Christmas'. I found it very interesting, because for a little bit of time, I could see the real Christmas spirit in some people. When I got home I found everybody watching TV and Lisa confirmed, the Christmas celebration will be tomorrow at her sister's house! No more reasons to worry about! Merry Christmas to all! :)