Departing Australia

We leave for the Melbourne Airport in what we think is plenty of time but realize we've got no map of the city with us (in the luggage or tossed?) I've spent halt the trip trying to round up all my shit. I need: 1) a better system; and 2) lots less shit. We land in the middle of Melbourne's rush hour grid lock where I managed to get several hapless drivers to roll down their windows in order to beg directions. People are remarkable tolerant. Ron gets sick of it and boldly exits the freeway. I am horrified. We find a small shopping center and I go in with pen and paper seeking anyone who looks like they live here. Just such a person provides excellent directions that take us back against traffic, Lord be praised, only 5 minutes and we're put right. Now the dreaded International Terminal. Horrors are appropriate, it being Holloween. I did not realize that it was celebrated here as at home. Things go better than expected and wer are in fine shape to wait in many lines for you're not quite sure what. Ron says baaaahhh. He's practicing sheep for when we get to New Zealand. Goodbye Australia! A bit more hell in Aukland although we find helpmates who guide us along to ensure that our luggage gets to Christchurch. We wait for the shuttle to the domestic terminal for over 1/2 hour but talk the whole time with a man who answers with dispatch any questions about the country: population, ethnic breakdown, and immigration trends. Excellent man. After too long a wait, he makes up his mind to walk the 20 minutes to the domestic terminal so that we grab a cart and tell him to wait up. I love a decisive man. He and Ron talk en route and I am happy to walk along, singing the praises of my fleece-lined hoodie. Now off to Christchurch and tomorrow we explore New Zealand.