Day – 2 (Tuesday Activities)

The Old Town tour, Salvador Dali, Alfons Mucha, and Warhol’s permanent exhibit, David Cerny, three microbreweries, and Bolt.

I typically don’t do things when I travel because I have been inherently lazy to have to figure out what to do. I just want to be lost in a crowd and discover things just by being in the place and seeing something that perks my interest. Journee is not like that for me in all ways.

I have to do stuff. Hilariously, I can say that I also stand out just because I do not have similar features as others on this side of the world, in Central Europe, so getting lost in a crowd is not easy. Not that I am the only one but I am not on tour groups from those other countties either and they would look at me the same way. Yes, they notice me, too. Oh well. I wonder half the time if they are profiling me but tbh, if they are, I am not going to see them again anyway.

But back to some of the things that stand out from today …

There are so many stories, so many pictures (not all of them are here) hidden societies, the astronomical clock, David Cerny art installations like the hanging Freud, more Warhol, the theatre President Vaklav worked at, Kafka’s birthhome, and rising water lines.

But the one story I would like to share is regarding the tiles with people’s name on them in the Jewish Quarter. They are memorials to those that died in the Holocaust at the doorstep of the home they were taken from. Once we were told about it, I couldn’t stop looking for them or even thinkkng of them in other areas on different days.

Pre-Day – 0 (Saturday, Journee Prep Travel Travel)

To start this trip, I had to actually fly separately to SFO because they didn’t arrange travel from HNL.

I felt like this made me a little ‘extra’ busy but I couldn’t complain that much as I didn’t plan anything else when I think of it.

The only thing I really had to figure out was my Nugget and Onyx.

I have a hard time leaving them and my home but I think it might also be partly because I got really sick after a competition I was in. One of the girls gave it me and I have been stressed about getting well and traveling for more than 24 hours.

I am not sure what I am feeling but chatgpt continues to be my favorite travel guide. It really makes me feel much more confident navigating my way around places and at least plan a head now that I know where I am headed!

Though I use ‘plan ahead’ very loosely, I mean it more logistically and helping me navigate.

Day – 0 (Sunday, the Journee Begins …)

Once I made it to SFO, I had to get my bag and figure out how to get to the Condor International Terminals. Thank you again chatgpt, I will stop saying this now because I use it every day and know I could say it every day, lol.

Pro – made it to SFO, SFO AirTrain got me from baggage to arrivals with no issue. There are a lot of options in Terminal G I read in my app for food. I might try going there once I charge my devices. Tried it out, it was closer than I expected and could charge in their food court.

Con – Finding bathrooms were way harder on the gate side but easier in Baggage Claim. My airline doesn’t open till 1p and I got here at 8a.

Then the flight left an hour and a half late so I was freaking out about making my connecting. Luckily I was still stateside so I could use my phone plan prior to takeoff.

Once in the airplane I purchased their data plan in the air. Unlimited internet and text! Text was different so I was able to keep in touch with some of the family while I was in the air, flying to Europe.

Day – 0.5 (Sunday, TMI)

I spent most of the day in the San Francisco airport waiting for the Condor counter to open.

I didn’t really attempt to find food right away but found Koi Palace Express and got shrimp har gow and next to it, a vegetable and chicken soup because I missed breakfast hours. On air-side (past TSA, by the terminal gates) I found a Proper Foods, I liked them because their foods were clean foods, for lack of a better way of saying it. Also, I should have went sooner, I could have hung out there more and charged my phones at one of the tables that had a plug.

I had a hard time finding a water refill station but was able to by still water refillable bottles. I think those will come in handy, if I can get large bottled waters to refill later.

So now to the inner journey that I am thinking about right now.

It started almost two years ago, I started feeling like something was not right in my marriage – not wrong perse, just … off. At the time I couldn’t really explain it but there was preoccupation and disinterest in trying anymore. It made me realize that I wasn’t okay and tired of trying and not feeling like it was worth it because it wasn’t appreciated. I stopped feeling ‘met’ and there was reciprocity.

This translated into a larger ‘why’ for me. Why am I working at this when I can do it all myself? Why did I need him? Even if harder, I could still do it for and by myself. I didn’t need someone, so there had to be a reason why I wanted them there. The thought still pains me but only because it was a good man and a good relationship. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it was the right love for me anymore. And that hurt.

I regretted the time spent, not because it was all bad because it was hardly bad. That is what made it harder. I hurt someone and wish I had known in the beginning that it would eventually end with me hurting someone by breaking up with him. Not because I didn’t learn, grow, and love him, but because in its end, I hurt him.

I know what hurt someone’s heart feels like and tried my hardest to never hurt someone else. The saving grace for me was knowing that in the long run, staying wasn’t going to fix anything, I/my love had already changed. Staying would have made it unfair to him and potentially harder to always keep love in mind which was my mantra, which I learned early on making this relationship work.

So I did the hard thing and made the divorce happen. It was finalized last year.

[Insert, going to Narita and starting hula to do something creative for myself with more meaning, then traveling with a friend for her birthday to Rarotonga, Papeete, and Auckland, lost that friendship and another that got me through the divorce though I never found out why.]

In Spring of this year, my father passed away. It was sudden, he didn’t know he was that sick and passed in a week’s time. My relationship with him was hard, it is like that with both my parents for different but oddly similar reasons. But at the end I wasn’t there for me, I was there for him and wanted to make sure what he wanted after, happened.

[Insert performed in the hālau at a few random performances – trying to build the muscle a little based on my past professional theatre experience – and competition where I stayed in the hotel my grandmother used to own a unit in.]

Which brings me to now, in SFO, heading to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. With a text from my Auntie as I left HNL, that said grandmother asphyxiated, and learning today, as I am about to leave to Europe, that the Dr. has given my grandma, who has been in the care of a third-party homecare prior, a couple days to live.

TMI

Day – 1 (Monday, Finally! and Logistics)

Zombie me, still flew most of the day. The Condor flights were pretty good. But very uneven. The first flight was over 9hrs (groan) but I had a meal and morning pastry (yay) and the second was about 45mins., nothing really needed for food anyway. It felt very Hawaiian Airlines-like, so dependent on short leg and longer leg travel needs. It made complete sense but I was zoning out so bad by the time I got on the second leg.

What was new, hearing the agents call us all to the main gate to board for the second leg because the plane was ‘remote’, which meant we had to travel by gate shuttle to it because it was further down (in the middle of the tarmac) lined up with some other planes, also remote.

Also, Brexit really changed how UK travels across Europe as well (shared Day 2 insight while talking to my Bolt driver and talking to someone behind me in the Day 1 line to the shuttle to the domestic terminal) they had to also go through passport control when we landed in Frankfurt. And because the travel was European, I had to catch my flight on the domestic side instead of the international terminal, which I definitely clocked because I was thinking international, given the process and me moving through different countries. Basically I was worried I was going the wrong place because my first leg had been delayed long enough my connecting was making me nervous.

Positives, I got my stamp (the new Schengen electronic/fingerprinting system was new and they happen to process me the old way and so I didn’t have to do it) and once I landed in Prague, I just grabbed my bag and walked out of baggage claim into Prague. The second plane, although smaller, was less than full so the three-seater I was in only had someone at the window and me in the aisle. The kindness of strangers … telling me to be careful of keeping my bag unzipped.

Negative, it took me essentially the whole weekend to get here with 3 planes and I didn’t feel human when I landed.

Retro insight that I believe is completely connected to this experience of Journee. Gut reaction to question if you made the right decision in doing it whenever any of the things that happen doesn’t go according to ‘plan’. The feeling that I had to go when normal life surprises and tensions make you question whether you should cancel at the last minute and how you have the brainspace  to actually think through choices when you do feel locked in more.

Some things I did to ‘plan’ for myself. I knew I was going to be somewhere in Central Europe (thanks chatgpt), so I pre-loaded apps Bolt (Uber), Wolt (DoorDash/BiteSquad/Foodease). And did some hunting for SIM options when I touched down. I went with Vodafone, though interestingly enough, I think I saw t-mobile?? (Condor used it, too). Both carriers were about 10-15 minutes walking distance from the hotel so I was setup with an unlimited 7 day pass to cover me here and 15gb data roaming for the month in the countries I was traveling to with a SIM plan I didn’t have to deactivate at the carrier before I left Europe.

Yummy drink, Matcha Dalgona!!!

Airplanes and Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines (Alaska Airlines) to Raro, most interesting things, getting disinfected, forgot they feed you, and Starlink wifi.

Air Tahiti from Raro to Papeete, plane must be small, I got weighed with my carry on. Glancing at the flight attendant taking the weight counts … it looked like a seating chart 😳 🤣. They sprayed the carry on bins again but this time we didn’t even land yet. I put a mask on and wiped my eyes with a wet napkin, I felt prepared. And food was a part of the package, I had a tuna sandwich and a little citrus filled pastry. The flight was only 2hr30min and I was so amazed how small the airport felt. It reminded me of Island Air.

Air New Zealand Papeete to Auckland, couch seats. Loved this. It made it a little more comfortable having the extra space. Especially on a late evening flight. One meal and it was breakfast.

Air New Zealand Auckland to Honolulu. No declaration forms, just verbal declaration. OK. That is easy. I actually don’t know how I feel about that given that I was sprayed with pesticide and had a more rigorous procedure going into New Zealand on a short flight. Two meals because the flight was 8hrs 30mins long, started at 7 am and arrived at 4ish.

Sad that the wifi wasn’t working especially after the flight had been delayed by nine hours but considering the plane had been hit by lightning, hence the delay … I guess it makes sense.

Air New Zealand did comp rooms for us overnight and shuttle us to and from the airport. It was recommended that we go early by the hotel people because we weren’t the only ones delayed and everyone would be trying to check in. This was one of the earlier flights and the international checkpoint wasn’t even open once we went through Air New Zealand check in.

I have to say though they had an impressive system though, it moved. Once we got through the checkpoint it was to duty-free for me. I didn’t realize how far the gate was from there and then that wasn’t open either. But it was nice to be in the same boat as so many others.

Full Day 15 – Sunday

So this was a long day due to a 9 hour delay of our flight which was supposed to leave at 10 p.m. in the evening.

We ended up leaving at 7 in the morning. This means I still get back on Sunday but at 430 p.m. instead. Timezone math is so confusing for me. I get SO confused. I refuse to think in days of the week because of it. I just have to remember what I need to do in terms of activities and cross my fingers that is enough.

But let us begin at the beginning, lol. Early in the morning, Jenna said she was getting another bag, I got one too. I went downstairs to weigh my bags and I was pushing it. But due to the second bag … I went shopping! I was even thinking Christmas. Then I really did need to repack. I was going to try to make it to the Fish Market, Maritime Museum, and Ahi..

It turned into WIPCE, Maritime Museum, dinner at Ahi., more shopping, and our delayed flight for a memorable end to New Zealand leg.

When I checked out at 12, I walked out to a parade in the street. It was the different indigenous tribes and nations going to Aotea Square.

It was a busy and crowded event and I saw someone from Cook Island and I managed to by a souvenir from there even though I was worried about getting one prior, due to luggage across countries and New Zealands strict customs policy.

I wasn’t going to go but it kind of hit me in the face when I walked out the hotel and I was like, it only makes sense to go up and check it out. I saw three nations do offerings of cultural dance in the street and up at Aotea Square the New Zealand contingent did an opening for each nation, welcoming them into the square. I then saw some friends from work. It actually made me feel overflowing seeing Hawai’i representing here when I was visiting so randomly myself.

Then I went to the Maritime Museum and learned more about boating, sailing, the America cup, waka, Māori wayfinding and culture through some of the exhibits. I even saw some of the crew from Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Dinner time. Then we found out about the delay of our flight.

But this I especially liked about the Sunday drive to the airport to ask the desk what we can do for accommodations for the evening.

I saw the sunset in New Zealand! Although we were close to the harbor, I was surrounded by buildings and didn’t have the views I had prior. No surprise there, but it was a nice little capper for me. Part of me really thought it was a perfect and fitting moment for me to have on the last evening there.

Full Day 14 – Saturday

Improv workshop for emcees, shopping, and packing.

The improv workshop was a treat. It has been forever since I took one and an MC workshop is definitely not one that I would have taken even if I was still in the scene. I liked a couple of things right off the bat, first and foremost make the audience feel safe and also those that are improvising. Your job is to take care of everyone and ensure the audience feels safe enough to have their role in the show. I think this is transferable to many spaces especially if you are a host, moderator or presenter for anything really.

Also, I realize I am not the same as others no matter where I go. And I am my own worst critic and I desperately want to learn and be given actionable feedback. I was nervous improvising even just once in New Zealand but I feel like people are either really nice to me or I am just too different or raw/unpolished. They used the word lovely though and I guess for Kiwis that is a compliment. 🥰

I am a terrible packer because my brain wants to ‘solve’ it. At first I was trying to fit everything into my one suitcase but I only had 23 kg. Luckily, in CBD, there are shops galore of every type. I found a Japanese market in my walk a couple days prior so went again to buy vacuum seal bags.

I also use chatgpt all the time so since I had some honey from Velskov and was worried about packing it, I picked up some ziploc bags in NZ, too. They had all types of sizes. I was so excited. I bought one of every size.

I like ziplocs 🤷‍♀️ I guess ???

The day before in Waiheke I also went to Oneroa their little shopping area and looked around. Walking from end to end it was only ten minutes and I kept going back and forth. They had one store that was a shipping drop off, too. So they sold stationary items and the type of gaffers tape I needed to wrap my more fragile items and things I was worried about breaking or leaking.

It just went under but I knew it meant my carry on was going to take the brunt of my mispacking and I couldn’t buy more omiyage (souvenirs or makana) to take back for people back home.

Also, I was starting to be like … what might I have to leave here decisions territory.

Oh well, I still had another full day. I asked the hotel if I could do late checkout but because of WIPCE (World Indigenous Pacific Conference) and Hōkūle’a and Hikianalia’s arrival in New Zealand. It was a good and busy season for them. They comped me an hour though so I no longer had to checkout at 11 but noon. Which meant more packing decisions I could make if I needed to repack.

Full Day 13 – Friday

Wandering CBD (Central Business District) and taking in an Improv Show at The Covert Theatre this night.

But first, getting out and about to check out Waiheke (said like Waikiki) the neighboring island to Auckland. I did sign up for a package bus hop on and off, lunch and wine, with the Ferry ride.

It took me all but one stop to lose the green band to hop on and off. So happy I had my physical ticket but further recommendation was to take a picture of it, which I quickly did when I sat down for my Wine and dine, starter entree and wine.

The show was fun, it has been a while since I did improv specific things just to do it on my own but this was a great opportunity to do it.

They did a murder mystery where they started with the ending reveal scene and then went back to the beginning to end with the scene. Perfect circle and they kept it simple but the inspector did a great Cain and Abel dad joke. Something I bet people don’t expect as a descriptor of a show. But like all things improv, you had to be there to fully understand.

After that, they offered a short set of scenes that were more in the style of ‘whose line is it anyway’ games.