Microblog

At the U today, I popped into the Union for a bagel and couldn’t stop noticing things. Displeasure with ICE goes without saying, while the Iran War teach-in looks mighty interesting. That reference to uric output is an ad for a punk rock band. Meanwhile, the range of lifesaving devices has evolved since my student days, beyond the obligatory fire extinguisher. Now, there’s a “stop the bleed” kit, Narcan for overdoses, and a defibrillator.

Joined a rally as it was gathering here before the start of a Minneapolis School Board meeting. While there’s plenty to protest lately, this hits home. Proposed budget cuts include laying off 50% of adult education ELL teachers, including the teacher I work with. Chants included: “Save adult education” and “In Minneapolis, we show up for each other.”

It’s the classic snowbird’s lament: a cluster of medical appointments for us both immediately after returning to winter. Walked over to the U for labs, then headed to nearby Kinzō for some tonkotsu udon. Lab results trickled in as I slurped my comfort food.

On our Sunday walk, with temperatures climbing into the high fifties, yesterday’s snowy, monochromatic landscape had found some color. Here at Gold Medal Park the grass and trees are still a few weeks away from fully greening up.

Walked over to the farmers market on a fresh overnight dusting of snow, a reminder that winter isn’t finished and that local produce would be scarce. I carried home crusty bread straight from the baker, along with bacon sausages and lamb from a local farm for “Sausage Saturday” and a Sunday root vegetable braise.

Took the opportunity while Dwight was seeing a friend to grab a spicy lunch at a nearby Thai restaurant. A “Private Property” sign on the door explicitly forbids immigration enforcement on the premises. The City of Minneapolis estimates that since December, ICE agents have caused well over $100 million in economic damage to city businesses and workers afraid to go to work, while straining city resources.

Walked over to Open Book for a cuppa. The folks at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts had been busy at the letterpress; a “please take one” sign sat beside a now-nonexistent pile of protest posters. It reminded me of our recent travels: whenever people asked where we were from, “Minneapolis, Minnesota” always drew a warm, informed response. “The US,” less so.

Arrived LAX early this morning off a flight from New Zealand. Skipped the in-flight breakfast, made up for that at LAX with avocado toasts and champagne. It was a good trip.

Now at Auckland Airport where I made a point of stopping by this LEGO model of Auckland Airport. Completed this year to mark the airport’s 60th anniversary, it showcases the original 1966 airport (not shown here) alongside this 2029 vision, when a new domestic terminal will be integrated with the international terminal.

Walked the 5km Hobsonville Coastal Walkway, which loops around a former Air Force base. Over the last 20 years, the area has been transformed into mostly high-density housing, over 4,000 homes when complete, two schools, restaurants and bars. Developers have offset the footprint with extensive parklands, bush, and trails. It ensures no one is ever far from nature or the water, while a ferry terminal offers a scenic commute to downtown Auckland.

After a 35-minute high-speed ferry to Pine Harbour on the edge of Auckland, we took a bus through rolling farmland. We then walked back to the harbour via coastal trails, bush paths, and residential areas, enjoying lovely views across the Hauraki Gulf.

​We rented a couple of bikes from a local business that seemed to specialize in salvaging old bicycles. While we waited, they put the finishing touches on our rides and sent us on our way. They were inexpensive, about US$6 each for the day, but we definitely got what we paid for. Eventually, I found the one “perfect” gear combination where the chain didn’t fall off the derailleurs and stuck with it for the rest of the day.

Today is Saturday in Auckland, the final day of Pride Month. Our hostess for the day, the fabulous Buckwheat, introduced the music at the Auckland Art Gallery’s Pride Festival this morning. It was a rare sight to see a drag queen so early in the day. Later, we observed the Auckland Rainbow Community Choir rehearsing a program inspired by gay icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Liza Minnelli, and Lady Gaga.

Another day, another walk through native bush. Today was the Puhinui Stream Forest Trail in Totara Park, located right next to the Auckland Botanic Gardens we explored a couple of weeks ago.

​We took the city bus out to Soljans Estate Winery, where we started with a tasting of five different wines. Next, in the restaurant, we sat down for a delicious lunch (I had grilled fish) paired with our favorite of the day, the Pinot Gris. Everything was top-tier quality; the only downside is that they don’t distribute their wines in the US.

Volcanic Rangitoto Island erupted from the sea just 600 years ago. We spent several hours hiking past native bush rapidly establishing itself across the lava fields, eventually reaching the summit for panoramic views.