A rainbow doesn't choose to be a rainbow...

Sometimes people forget things. For example, I often forget my school key at home, and Felix laughs at me when I knock again. I rarely forget appointments, but it does happen. However, what I actually forgot during my time in Australia, even though I've mentioned it from time to time, is that I originally wanted to go to New Zealand. And, in fact, that was what made me so nervous. So, after a short 'relaxation week' in Byron Bay, a bus ride, an overnight stay in Brisbane, and a half-day at the airport, I carelessly board my flight to Auckland without realizing yet what the pilot's announcement that we would be landing shortly would do to me. Suddenly, I am as nervous, small, and alone as I have never felt at any point during my travels. And when I see land below me, as we fly lower and finally touch down, I nearly weep from fear, joy, and pride. The people around me probably/hopefully think that I just have a fear of flying. For entering New Zealand, one has to declare quite a bit and pass through various security checks. For a brief moment, I worry that my dream might burst when the sniffer dog won't leave me alone (unfortunately not to cuddle; he is damn cute) and my backpack gets intensely searched. By the way, they are not looking for drugs, but for (worse for New Zealand) fruits, and I slowly start to fear that I have forgotten an apple in my bag. But I haven’t, and I am allowed to enter the country. Together with my little sheep, I take the bus from the airport to the city and thankfully only tumble twice before I reach my hotel, where I have the nicest conversation with the receptionist shortly after my arrival. He gives me tips for Northland and teaches me how to pronounce 'Kia Ora' correctly.

The next day, I have another 5-hour bus ride ahead of me until I finally arrive at my first real destination in New Zealand, which is not just a short stopover: Kerikeri! My last-minute accommodation found on Booking turns out to be a gem right in the middle of nature. Finally, I also find someone to cuddle with: Jon, the black house cat, doesn’t leave my side after 30 minutes on my lap. After sitting around for so long, I am glad to be able to move again, so in the afternoon, I walk around all the waterfalls in the area for about five hours, admiring nature. The most famous waterfall is the 'Rainbow Falls,' and when I stand on the viewing platform and look down at the colorful colors of the namesake, the song 'Rainbow Connections' by Garfunkel and Oats comes to mind again. I almost never forget song lyrics; however, I would like to forget what my news podcast informs me about politics back home and election results. Suddenly, I am not afraid of traveling anymore, but a bit anxious about returning, perhaps to a country where too many people have forgotten what past we have.

Thus, my first days are marked by a lot of emotional ups and downs, homesickness from video calls with people who haven't forgotten me, incredulous following of the news, and at the same time so much happiness and relief in my heart. It is okay to forget things sometimes. Yet we should always remind ourselves what is important: Our dreams for ourselves in the small things, as well as the world we live in, in the bigger picture.
A rainbow doesn't choose to be a rainbowIt just shines in the skyAnd there's nothing to debateAnd there's nothing to denyLove might be a privilegeBut marriage is a right
Don't forget that we must do everything we can to ensure that it stays that way.