Dishin’ with the Diva

New content added

After far too long, TripDiva.com finally has some new content. There’s even a whole new section added.

Trippin’ with the Diva is up and has a couple of articles in it – neither one about New Zealand, but I’ll get there sooner or later. The photos on the Co. Offaly post aren’t quite what I would like, but I don’t have the originals on my computer, so they’ll have to do until I get back to the States. And the Tips section has a new article on Solo Travel.

So, please feel free to have a look around the site and check out the new content – and let me know what you think.

Culture Shock – Prices

New Zealand is a shockingly expensive place to live.

I understand, intellectually, that the Kiwi dollar isn’t as strong as the US dollar. (Though these days, it’s not as big a difference as it used to be.) And yes, this is an island country, so lots of things have to be imported. And yes again, it’s not as large an economy as in the States, so things are bound to be a bit more expensive. And yes one last time, the sales tax here is already factored into prices instead of tacked on at the checkout like it is in the US. I get all that.

But holy crap, things are expensive. From food to fuel to cell phones, I’m still reeling from how much things cost here. And it doesn’t help that I’m doing the same sort of work I’d be doing back home – granted at a less senior level – and making just over half as much as I did back home.

How expensive, you may ask. Let me start with a simple bottle of Coke. Typically, a 600 ml bottle (about the same size as a 20 oz back in the States) will cost between $3 and $3.50. A half dozen eggs – over $3. A mixed drink at a bar – $13 – $15, and that’s at an average place, not a “destination” bar. I could keep going, but I’m starting to get depressed.

I know prices are going up all over, especially on milk, eggs and cheese, but my poor little heart can hardly take it. My poor little wallet can hardly take it, either…