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So much has happened in the year and a bit since we have been here.
I imagine tho, that the start question would be: Are we happy here, and did we do the right thing? The answer to both would be a YES.
We mulled over immigrating for 8 years before we actually decided it was now or never.
Career wize Gav and I were stressed to the max. Altho we had never personally been affected by the violence, we seemed to be surrounded by it.
With Gav working at Independent, and so bringing home 2 papers every day, and because I was an avid reader - I just knew that we had to try a build a safer place for us.
It was a leap of faith. We were both going to be giving up good careers, families, our home.... But when we started planning, it seemed the right time for us.
Because Seth was in a Remedial school, we had to try and time the flights, the sale of the house, the immigration process - everything, in short - to tie in with the end of the 2nd year of Seth's schooling.
Gav is a worrier, so it was quite something to see him take such a huge risk - because it is a risk.
I was a lot more philosophical - we had had friends move, and they seemed to be happy, so I could not see any reason why it would not work out for us. And I must say on looking back now, I am hugely grateful that it all worked out so well.
Yes, we did give up a lot. Leaving your family behind is not the easiest thing, but it was also an adventure for us.
I would say that for us, using an agency was a major help. Gav was concerned about his qualifications, and IMMAgine Immigration took most of the worry about that out of the picture for us.
After we got here, we spoke with a few people who had done it by themselves, and for the most part they seemed to have sweated blood when dealing with the immigration dept.
I dont know that it would have been easy for us, as it was, had we done it by ourselves.
Gav seemed to bond with you in an instant - so it really felt like we were dealing with a friend whenever we had something to be sorted.
Financially, we were fortunate in having good pensions that we cashed in. (of course I am still rather twisted about the huge chunk of tax that we had to pay) to play with the markets, and the Rand fell like the proverbial stone!! We paid for our container, and moved money out the country when the Rand was at about R4.80 to a NZ$ - and that really burned!!>
I think the hardest adjustment in the end was for Seth - he left behind a very strong network of friends, and of course relationships like that are built over time. I do still have concerns for him, altho he does seem to be a lot more settled now than he was before. We let him sign up at a Karate class, and that has really boosted his self-confidence.
I think tho that he misses the easy relationships that he had, and being 14 now and having to start again has been hard on him. I think if we said that we would go back to SA - he would start packing immediately!!
With regard to Gav and I tho - this really was the best thing. Gav is taking a bit of strain with the business - but he does have options, and the learning curve has been very good.
For me - altho I dont have the most glamorous job, I get to go home at 2pm - and not having to do a 12 hour day, as I did in SA, has totally saved my sanity.
I am also extremely grateful that Gav and I have what we have. Since arriving in Feb 2002, we have been fortunate enough to be able to travel a bit, and have bought our own home. Our house is just gorgeous, and I do appreciate that we were able to buy so soon.
Things I love about NZ must surely be the safety factor - ask any ex-South African and they will agree with you.
And it is soooo clean. We overlook the Manuka Reserve, and there is nothing better than the smell of forrest in the morning!
Things I dont miss about South Africa, must surely be the car guards, beggars & street sellers. Every 2 weeks I would go into Durban City to the Library; running the gamut with the aforementioned car guards, beggars and street sellers! I was delighted to discover when I got to NZ that I was able to park my car entirely by myself - with out it costing me 2 bucks... Who knew?!?
Things I do miss must surely be my family & friends. I also dearly miss the Pavillion. Bloody hell - NZ architects have no idea when it comes to shopping centres. The parking lots are diabolical!!
I miss Maizena Cornflour, and the 5L cask of Claret that Drosty Hof were master at making. But you do find substitutes, and FoodTown is a pleasure to shop at.
I have learned to relax about the enormous traffic problems that Auckland has - again the highway architects out here ought to have been shot! but you learn to take it in your stride.
Gav and Seth love the cold weather; I'm still learning to adjust, and thank the maker of thermals every winter night in my prayers.
I love op-shops. The Librarys are small, but good. We have made new friends. And are looking forward to holidaying in the Snow soon.
I would not dream of going back to South Africa - except to visit.
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