My journey has begun…

12:20PM, Thursday:
After a good (terrible) night’s sleep, I had to force myself out of bed to make any last-minute adjustments to my inventory. This is my first time travelling alone. I feel all grown up. Like a big man. But, you know, business is business, and I can’t go getting too excited now. Clear head, and all that. Although that’ll probably be quite hard, considering that I’m going to be running off coffee and random brunch bars from whatever airport cafeteria decides to serve me. Oh, I should probably tell you all what I’m doing… I’m on my way to Sydney to buy a few iPhone 5s. You know, just casually.

I’m actually in Auckland, at the moment, though. Flew up from Palmerston North early this morning. Met the homies that’re s’posed to be running this show – they seem professional enough. I have to admit, though, I still feel like this isn’t really happening. The decision for me to embark was just made yesterday, and I’m worried that I’m gonna get to the airport, and something bad is gonna happen… Like I’ve forgotten to do something important.
I’m sure it’ll all be fine.

Anyway, this is gonna be like a diary. I’ll fill you all in on what I’m doing, when I’m doing it, significant or not. Bare with me, this is going to be a long 36 hours, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Be prepared for some video footage, as well, after I edit it all and finally make it home. Well, so long as my iPhone’s battery holds out.

Anyway, ciao, for now. Watch this space.

By the way, these times will be New Zealand times.

1:43PM, Thursday:
I’ve been discarded onto the bus. No more holding hands, I’m on my own to fulfil my destiny.
How fun…
But seriously, I’m quite looking forward to this. I mean, how cool do I look? A 20 year-old, going to Australia for a day of business. Bring on the rest of the world.

5:58PM, Thursday:
I’m on the plane. Right now. I probably shouldn’t be updating this while I’m on the plane, but it’s okay.
I got a seat at the very back. In the aisle. Thank god. Snooze time for me.
See you all in four hours.

9:39 PM, Thursday:
After spilling butter chicken in embarrassing places on my white jeans, and having a ten-minute snooze, I’ve finally arrived in Sydney. I’m still actually trapped in the plane, at the moment. I managed to get one of the seats in the very back row, so I have to wait for everyone else to sloth out of here. I think the couple that were supposed to be sitting next to me cancelled, because I somehow managed to have the entire row to myself. Who needs business class when you can have your own luxury in economy?
It’s about 18 degrees C outside. I imagine that it’ll feel like a New Zealand alcohol-blanket.
Anyway, customs time. Be back later.

11:23PM, Thursday:
Okay, so I’ve given up on Wi-Fi, because none of the networks work for me… Really annoying. And I’m also in queue. On the other side of the block. As in, you walk to the Apple Store, then you walk around the corner, then you walk to the next intersection, and you turn another corner, and you walk a bit more, and you’re there. You know, everyone seems to have come in pairs. I’m pretty sure that I’m the only one dumb enough to do this alone. But I guess I have you guys for moral support, right?
People keep walking past and staring, like they’ve never seen raging fanboys before. About 80% of this queue so far are Asian. They keep taking photos and videos of the line. I’ll probably appear on the cover of some underground tech magazine or something. Anyway, gotta save battery life.
Over and out.

12:51 AM, Friday:
I’m dead. Like, I feel like I’m going to collapse. But I must carry on. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some sleep soon. Apparently this bar that I’m outside – Forbes Hotel – doesn’t close until 4AM NZ time, so I’m probably not gonna get much sleep on this concrete. So many hotels around the area tempting me to book a room.
Not gonna happen.

I’ve had a few conversations with some drunks, so far, tonight. There was even a guy from Auckland here. It’s his birthday. Fun times.

Anyway, I’ll probably update this when I decide that it’s safe to fall asleep. In all honesty, there’s nothing happening at my part of the queue. I haven’t made any friends yet, so I can’t leave my spot and wander around. I wonder what it’s like at the start of the queue…

1:28 AM, Friday:
So, I’m alternating between standing and sitting, trying to make myself as comfortable as possible at all times. It’s not actually that bad, anymore. I think I’ve gotten to that point where I’m so tired that I’m no longer tired.

So, the craziest things just happened. And, of course, I didn’t have my camera ready to film them. The first thing involved a young male with lengthy blonde hair. Right in front of my face, as he was casually walking past, he lifted his leg to his head, like some kind of ballerina. I thought he was gonna decapitate me with his swift movements. Everyone kinda just sat there in awe.

The second thing was with some guy with long dreadlocks. He walked into the middle of the road, and continuously made rude and inviting (not inviting to me, but maybe some other people) gestures.

Oh, look. A street-cleaner just sped past. Probably going about 60-70km. Was bouncing around like mad.

Yeah, I must be losing my mind. I’m now telling you all about some random stuff that is totally irrelevant to this iPhone stuff. Then again, I really don’t know what else to tell you.

2:44 AM, Friday:
It has started to rain.
That is all that’s changed.

It’s weird, though. There are people still casually wandering around town. They’re not even drunk or anything. They’re just… Walking.

3:18AM, Friday:
It’s still raining, only heavier this time. One of the kind bar staff at Forbes Hotel gave me an umbrella. Champion.

And in other news, street sweeper has gone past two more times, but being sensible and cleaning the streets. I hope he doesn’t expect to get this footpath tidied up.
Also, some guy leaned out his car window as he drove past, yelling: “The iPhone 5 sucks a**”. Well, thank god he told me now, rather than later. Guess I better pack up camp and ship out.

6:25AM, Friday:
I just found out that I’m number 101 in queue. Not bad, for someone who doesn’t even live in this country, let alone city. There are quite a few people behind me, too. I wouldn’t be able to tell you how many, though.
I’m getting cold.

6:56 AM, Friday:
Barriers are being put out now. We’re migrating into what seems to be a proper queue, rather than being distorted and all over the place like we were before. But in all the chaos, I don’t think I’m number 101 anymore. Might have dropped back about five or ten spaces.
Three more hours, and we’ll finally be allowed in.