Auckland is extremely pedestrian friendly, especially
downtown. Of course, there are lots of pedestrians, many with backpacks or even
suitcases or carry-ons. They all seem to have no problem looking the correct direction – took us a little longer. See video:
Lots and lots of public transportation, as well, although
there seems no shortage of private vehicles, either. Gasoline sold by the liter
and expensive, especially by our standards today. Interestingly, diesel is half
the price of gasoline, although diesel vehicles are subject to a use tax. Bicyclists
ignore traffic laws with the same impunity as stateside.
For a seemingly affluent town, there are still lots of
street people, perhaps homeles, and beggars, at least on the main drag and environs. Their often bare feet may get cold, but at least they won't freeze to death. Not
aggressive, just there, but disconcerting nonetheless.
Apparently very safe. So were told by our cabbie, but we
did note almost zero police presence (except outside our hotel for the
protesters, and they didn’t seem very stressed). The occasional siren, but at
least once it was an ambulance. We walked the downtown area to dinner and back without
any trepidation.
Based on limited evidence, it appears that NZ has not
only accepted diversity but embraced it to the point where only Americans
probably notice. However, apparently Asian immigration has been used as, and
may be, for all I know, a divisive political issue.
Very large ethnically Asian population. Most store signs
in both English and (what I assume is) Chinese. A polyglot city, with people
speaking more languages than I could possibly identify.
No tipping. Plusses: you pay what you pay (you can add a
bit if you want, but it's “not an insult” if you don’t. Workers claim to have
better protection, fewer hassles. Minus (maybe?): no real sense of urgency in
terms of restaurant service. Very casual, you can sit there all night it would
seem. Tip-based industries almost require workers to turn over their tables.
Relaxed for customers though, too.
Personal expression most commonly expressed via ink and
hair color, explaining the large number of hair salons and barbers, plus the
piercing & tattoo parlors on the main shopping areas and not relegated to
the fringes. The young are just as focused on their screens as their counterparts in the U.S. Oh, and they don’t seem to have gotten the memo on smoking – or the anti-smoking campaign by our various levels of government have been effective – or both.
Aucklanders, at least, are interested in American
politics. So much for our escape plan. And they are frightened (their words,
not mine) and disbelieving of Donald Trump and his ascension, opinions they
offered without encouragement or us even bring up the subject.
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