After a great two and a half days in Hamilton visiting classes and talking to professors, students, and tutors at Waikato, I’m back in Auckland for one more night (in a definite partyers hostel) before heading south.
I think my public transportation usage is permanently cursed.
Allow me to explain.
At least one sick person within a 3-seat radius on all flights and buses since arrival. At least one crying child within a similar, if not smaller radius. And as of today, welcome to the GGSGG zone, also known as the gum-popping, giggling, shrieking, gossiping girls region of the bus. We are talking about some serious vocal chord endurance on their part.
Nonetheless.
Auckland, congratulations on (excepting tonight) redeeming yourself substantially. You and your rainy-misty-cloudy-hot-sunny-cold-windy-ness are all right in my book.
Cheers.
Snark on the Side 
You should preemptively start crying, gum-popping, giggling, shrieking, gossiping, and being sick as soon as you get on public transport. That way, you can guarantee that you'll be the person ruining everyone else's rides within that radius. 🙂