Tom thanks our many friends/readers who reached out to him with happy birthday wishes; it was yesterday here on this side of the dateline, but it is today in the US with the 19-hour time difference.
Our trip to the New World Market in Whangārei was, on the surface, relatively uneventful, but in the quiet, practical way that feels deeply satisfying when you’re living far from familiar faces and surroundings while trying to settle into a leisurely pace. The shopping was rewarding in the simplest sense: I found every single item on my carefully prepared list. No substitutions. No settling. That alone felt like a small victory.
We spent US $406.92, or NZ $696.90, which still makes me pause when I say it out loud, but the cart was full in a way that promised comfort and ease for the coming weeks. With any luck, this haul will carry us through close to two weeks, saving us another long drive sooner than necessary. Groceries in New Zealand are undeniably expensive, yet the quality is extraordinary. This country knows its food.
The beef, chicken, lamb, pork, and seafood were pristine, beautifully displayed, and clearly treated with care. The produce looked as though it had been picked that morning, vibrant and alive, and the dairy, well, New Zealand dairy truly deserves its reputation. What surprised me most was how many organic and non-GMO options were simply part of the everyday selection, not tucked away on a specialty shelf or priced like a luxury item.
Despite everything, I actually enjoyed the shopping. There’s something grounding about wandering wide aisles, considering options, imagining meals, and slowly rebuilding a sense of normalcy. The staff were friendly and genuinely helpful, the kind of warmth that doesn’t feel forced or scripted. While I shopped, Tom was only a short distance away, finally getting a much-needed haircut. Or so we thought. As it turned out, his haircut took far longer than my shopping expedition. He texted me about the delay, stuck waiting for his turn at the barbershop, while I continued filling the cart.
About halfway through, my body reminded me, rather firmly, that it’s still recovering. The lingering effects of the virus, combined with my usual walking issues, hit all at once. My legs suddenly felt like jelly, unreliable and weak, and even leaning heavily on the cart didn’t help much. By the time I reached the checkout, I knew I needed to sit down immediately. I made my way to the customer service desk and asked if there was somewhere, anywhere, I could sit down.
The woman behind the counter didn’t hesitate. She was kindness itself, immediately escorting me to a sitting area near the exit door. She even offered to check out my groceries and bag them for me. I was tempted, but I knew Tom would be arriving soon with the stash of reusable bags our landlord, Dave, had left for us, including several insulated ones. With the long drive back to Kaiwaka, we felt better knowing our perishables would stay cold.
On the drive to the market, I took a few photos when I could, but the long, winding, narrow roads made stopping difficult, with other vehicles close behind us. It seemed everyone was out shopping for the holidays, and I noticed countless missed photo opportunities along the way. I’m hoping that once the holiday rush passes, we’ll be able to stop more freely and capture the beauty I glimpsed through the window.
Before long, Tom appeared, freshly coiffed and looking very pleased with himself. He directed me to the car to rest while he took care of the groceries. About an hour later, we were back at the house, unpacking and tucking everything neatly away. That night, we kept dinner simple with chicken leftovers, grateful for an easy evening. Yesterday, I finished making Tom’s birthday pizza, and he enjoyed it immensely.
We are content. We are grateful. And with each passing day, we’re feeling just a little better. This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be quiet, spent resting and appreciating the calm of our lovely home in Kaiwaka, New Zealand, and that feels like exactly what we need.
Merry Christmas and be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, December 24, 2015:
