The New Zealand Take on The Environment

New Zealand is very bio ethical. I'm not sure of the exact phrase they use. It is actually something like "bio ethics" [not biodegradable] and the term is posted in the airport. Being a "green" person myself - always conscious to turn off lights and water and recycle all forms of glass and plastic [including going into the trash compactor to forage out the yogurt containers Brent has discarded...washing them out...and then putting them into the recycling bin], I have my eye out for all things sustainable.
Here are some snippets of the pro-ecologyness of this country.
1. When you enter the U.S. and go through customs, you must declare if you might be carrying any remnants of hoof and mouth disease [which must be a really disgusting thing based on the image one has just thinking about a cow or pig or other farm animal's hooves and mouths]. Being that we only vacation to see quaint European cities or the beaches of Cabo, we never worry about this box. Always checked no. My focus in customs is on the serious stuff like heroin or cocaine. I always wonder as I go through customs...how hard would it be to smuggle some dope into the country? Do they racial profile for that kind of stuff anymore. In any case, tracking in anything biohazards is never a concern.
We are in the baggage claim in Auckland. Our bags have arrived - which in and of itself is miraculous as I've had bags lost in Puerto Rico, Mozambique and Sioux Falls...but they've made it here! There is a cute little dog roaming around the baggage claim area. Aha! I think. The beagle is going to find some drugs here. What will happen next. Unfortunately, the dog comes very close to ME. He is sniffing my purse. Even though I have nothing to hide, I'm tired, sweaty, alone [where IS BRENT?] and become very awkward when the second police officer approaches. Got any contraband in that bag ma'am? Umm, no. Do you have any meat, fish, poultry, or fruit with you? I had an ORANGE....I left it on the plane. He asks for my purse; the dog sniffs thoroughly...it must have been the orange then. You sure you disposed of it? Yes, yes. Good dog. Good girl. Many treats are given the dog. [None of them meat, fish, poultry or fruit]. I am both unnerved by this inquisition and wildly impressed that the dog was able to pick up the scent of an orange rind!
Brent finally appears and we are now in the customs line. Nothing to declare. They ask again about bio hazards. I had an orange I mumble. But I've been cleared by the beagle. We then load all 8 bags onto an xray machine. This is to get INTO the country.
A man with a very long ponytail and tatoos says You got GOLF SHOES in there? Yes, says Brent with pride. You want to see them? [Brent thinks the guy is making conversation about golf. He's into his story about playing in Los Angeles with his friend Bruce...not aware of the frown, grimace and Jack Bauerish cock of the xray man's neck]. Where were you golfing? Brent proceeds to talk about the wonderful country club in Beverly Hills. I'm wondering how long it will be before the guy throws out Brent's golf shoes due to the potential of his picking up hoof and mouth disease in Beverly Hills...
The interrogation ends with the officer giving Brent's shoes a very thorough dusting off and cautioning him about soil conditions on golf courses.

2. There is a quaint little cafe next to the hotel. It is called the Quay [which is pronounced key]. Brent is on his way to the hospital to meet his boss and is already a wee bit late. I decide to go down first, order breakfast, and get Brent his coffee "take away". I order from the barista - a stocky fellow wearing an apron, with a completely shaved head save for two rows of spiked, gelled hair - dyed red - which form a "V" down his scalp. Brent calls it the devil cut. To me it is a misplaced punk cut. The spikes make him a wee bit intimidating. In any case, I order two coffees - one take away. He says to me quite boldly That's not very ecological now is it. But it is not a question. It is a cultural guillotine. Off with your spoiled, insensitive, planet ruining head! My husband is driving to work. What is he supposed to do, take the coffee in a mug? I stammer. These folks are SERIOUS about conservation. Brent now is the proud owner of a portable coffee mug!

3. They don't sell Bounce here. People don't use dryers. Laundry is hung out to dry. I'm still happy we selected the midget apartment with washer and dryer and finally learned what the indentation is for on the top of the washing machine spinner. It is for liquid fabric softener. The top brand here is called Fluffy.

4. Toilets have two flushing panels. The right side is for "little things". The left side is for "big things." Never mind the brilliance in terms of water conservation...imagine the implications for toilet training. No more do you have go to number one or number two? Toddlers would be asked do you have to make a rightie or a leftie? So much more civilized than our potty talk.