Google maps takes the risk and more importantly the fun out of exploring. How can you ever feel the exhilaration of being lost when you know exactly where you are and how to return to familiar terrain. Feeling adventurous? Ditch the Google Maps and run head first into the unknown.

Culture = things taken for granted and the oddities spotted by outsiders.

You've got to hand it to New Zealand they have integrated with their indigenous population very well.The level of saturation is high. The Maori community is included at nearly every opportunity.Kia ora is a common greeting and the national anthem goes one verse in Maori and one verse in English.You couldn't say that for most … Continue reading Maori integration →

'Have to' is constricting and stress inducing.'Might do' is relaxing and freeing.Holidays and work places know the difference and use them accordingly.

After the game the players came over to greet the fans and it sent the kids into a frenzy. There was no criticisms or tough questions, just admiration. It was very pure and very wholesome. The absence of prima donnas and enlarged egos made the whole experience feel like a community at its finest. The … Continue reading Community sports →

I think progress is key for patience. I reckon the fast food joints are doing it right when they provide status reports for orders. Even if progress is moving at a snail's pace, it's less frustrating than no updates at all and it reassures people that things are moving forward and being taken care of. … Continue reading Progress and patience →

Is it just me or is a doll that is a baby a weird toy for a toddler to have? Is it encouraging kids to mature quickly and take care of others? The toddler years are prime years for being taken care of. Then that child is given a doll to pass on the taking … Continue reading Baby dolls for babies →

I walked into a beauty store (I should say this is a kind of shop I do not usually frequent) intending to buy a gift for someone else and within seconds I was overwhelmed. Bless the poor retail assistant. She was trying to help but I was simply drowning in the options she was listing. … Continue reading Drowning in options →

The two passengers exchanged polite conversation. The interaction even slipped into friendly banter at times but ultimately the connection was not strong enough to hold water. That's fine. We don't hit it off with everyone. But now it turns out that these two will both be subject to a disgustingly long layover in the same … Continue reading Bound by politeness →

The queue is a magnificent process. I was at the airport recently and despite the crowds being from all different countries, all speaking different languages and all from diverse cultures they all formed an orderly queue.There was no need to explain the system. There were no troublemakers or rule breakers.Everyone understood the process and followed … Continue reading International queueing →