By and large, New Zealanders keep up with world events. A cafe owner explained that’s because “nothing really happens here”; I find the opposite to be true, but then again, I’m new here and a news hound.

My accent (to me, a lack thereof) gives away I’m not from Blenheim or anywhere else in the hemisphere. Only the three former Californians I’ve met placed me more specifically than “America” or “the States” – and only one other acquaintance had heard of Chico, though several knew Sacramento and all knew San Francisco.

They also know, to varying degrees of granularity, what’s happening in the U.S. Most express how it’s a good time for us to be here, either implying or politely imparting their reasoning. The aforementioned proprietor broached Charlie Kirk. Rotary members at a morning tea (t

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