Sunday: Homeward Bound

Home Time

Sunday was the day I returned home. So, as is custom, I woke up early and packed up first thing. You see, I like to be at the airport early enough that I get time to wait around. Oh, and I wanted a few more hours to wonder around the big smoke one last time. After all, who knows when the country bumpkin would be back in the land of the building over 3 stories high.

Let me tell you, dear reader, Auckland on a Sunday morning is dead. There is no such thing as hub hub. Not even one hub is to be had. I think I saw a total of 2 other people, and they looked like they really didn’t want to be there. So much for my idea of getting breakfast in the city. At least the breakfast places were opening up.

Sober Morning

As I wondered around the city, every digital screen was slowly turning into reminder of Friday night. Not the Slayer concert, but the attack in Christchurch. Bus stops, normally advertising McDonalds to hungover travellers, were transformed into memorials. Ad screens all over the city, started to show the same image. The true impact was beginning to be felt. My adopted nation was in shock. While I had spent the weekend away from the real world, it was now time for the real world to meet me.

Flight Home

Auckland Airport was covered in a nervous energy. With more security than normal, people looked over their shoulder at the security queue. A glance, or a nervous twitch with each beep of the metal detector. And this was just on the domestic line. I can’t even imagine the feeling in the international terminal.

Even after getting through security, the airport was in a hush. Everyone was on edge, and no one smiled. I wonder how long it took for those working there to start to feel normal again. Seems like the shadow of 9/11 still hangs over the head of the world, even today.

The flight home was normal, nothing to write home about (ha, even though I am writing it now!), but I was very glad to have my feet back on the ground, and in my own bed. With my ears still ringing, and three new shirst to add to the collection, this turned out to be a very good weekend.

I hope I get to do it again soon!