There and back again, and there again, and once more, back.

So, here’s the deal.  Pending Immigration New Zealand approval, I’ve got a job offer with SilverStripe.  They want me to start May 10th, so what it looks like, right now, is that I’ve got two weeks in Austin before I have to fly back.  Hardly seems worth 72 hours in transit round trip, but I’ll take it.

I’m staying in the Moana Lodge in Plimmerton (about a half hour outside of the city) in the meantime; the rates are reasonable and it really is quite nice.  On Monday, I’m going to head into the SilverStripe building to get some paperwork for the immigration process filled out, see what needs to be done to legally employ me in New Zealand.  Should just be a “change of condition.” 

On the 20th, I’m waking up early to take the TranzScenic overlander, and I’m going to take a MESS of pictures on one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.  I’ll stay in a hotel until the morning of the 22nd, at which point I’ll head to Austin, and arrive, through the miracle of the International Date Line, on the 22nd.

My friend Andy, and his roommate, Amy, are going through some tough times in Austin right now.  So, I could have spent $400 on a rental car, and another $450 on a hotel, but in order to help them out, without lending them money (a great no-no when it comes to friendships) is that they’re going to let me stay with them for the two weeks for $450, and they’ll let me use Amy’s car for another $400.  So basically, I’m renting a car and a room from them, and the money goes to them, rather than to Motel 6 and Thrifty. 

As soon as Immigration gives the go-ahead, I’ll purchase a flight (probably on May 6th) back to Wellington.  SilverStripe has promised to help me with the cost of the flight, so that’s AWESOME. 

So, that’s the plan.

Except, it’s a really bad one.

1) Who is going to watch my car, Wendy, while I’m in Austin?  I could leave the car in the long term parking at Wellington Airport – this way when I fly back and land in Wellington, it’ll be there waiting for me.  It’s about $150NZD to do this for the two weeks.  The only problem is that for each day there’s a delay in immigration processing (if there is one,) that’s another extra $10 I’m paying for each day.  Or $70 per week. 

2) The Overlander leaves from the city of Wellington at 7:25am.  I want to be there at 7, at least.  How am I going to get from Plimmerton to Wellington (a 30 min drive, remember) by 7am, if I’ve already put the car in some sort of storage, unless I put it into storage at around 4am and get a taxi to the Overlander station from there?

3) When I get back to Wellington, where am I going to live as I start work?

I’ll figure this stuff out, but it is pressing.