![\"trainnz\"](\"http:\/\/thirtythree.org\/projects\/discovertheunknown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2013\/10\/trainnz-285x380.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAbout an hour before leaving, I was an emotional wreck! I honestly couldn\u2019t believe the amount of tears that were running down my face. I was experiencing so many emotions from anxious thoughts of not knowing exactly where I was getting the train and bus to the airport and facing the realizations that this was one of my last moments in New Zealand before heading home. I called my dad\u2019s girlfriend Shelley and she was able to remind me about the journey that I have already been on and how much I have accomplished. My dad on the other hand, had a message of tough love and it was a bit much for me to handle. \u201cYou chose to do this. This is supposed to be fun for you.\u201d What he was saying was 100% correct. No one was forcing me to go to Australia. I could just stay put for a while and await my return to the States, but that wouldn\u2019t be me. J I was hoping for some gentle encouragement, but what I felt I needed, I didn\u2019t receive, but maybe that was a good thing. I couldn\u2019t control the way my dad reacted to my emotions and I knew that he loved and supported whatever I did, so all was good.<\/p>\n
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While walking to the train station, I encountered a mess of construction around the station and had to ask several people for direction. Luckily, I was able to find a station worker listening to his iPod and politely asked him what steps I needed to take to get a ticket. After using the kiosk, I was assured that I was on the right side of the platform to take the train I needed and my first train ride in NZ was about to begin. Entering the train, I asked a nice lady if this was the train to Papatoetoe and she ensured me that it was. Phew! Once on the train, I was able to relax a bit. Once my bag was off of my shoulders and onto the seat beside me, I again realized how much I probably over packed and that it would be a bit of a challenge having to haul this pack around for the next month. I thought I had learned, but I just can\u2019t make up my mind on what clothes to take and what to leave. You just never know what the weather is going to do, right?!<\/p>\n
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![\"bus](\"http:\/\/thirtythree.org\/projects\/discovertheunknown\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2013\/10\/bus-nz.jpg\")
<\/a> the 380 bus to the airport. A kind man who was also sitting at the stop engaged in conversation. We talked about my travels and about how he would love to see Australia but with a lack of funds and a family, it seemed just a dream. I encouraged him to pursue his dream of seeing the country. He then advised me which bus to take and while on the bus, he reassured me which stop to get off of. He was like an angel in disguise. I have such uneasiness about traveling on public transport and getting lost, but he was able to offer me a peace of mind. After proceeding through check-in, security, and passport checks, I was on my way to the terminal. As I was about to sit down, I recognized one of the passengers. It was Jimmy who I had stayed with in Motueka with Emma and Tony back in December 2012. What a small world!<\/p>\n