Auckland Hotels
|
  | |  |
Once Were Warriors (Now Are Wankers)
Entry 61 of 84 | show all | print this entry |
63 days until the wedding...
This is what happened.
Back in Auckland, I got to catch up with Liam (from the Blenheim era) and a couple of old housemates. Sophie and I were staying in a dorm room in Base Backpackers (where I lived when I first arrived in NZ) for a couple of nights before staying with one of Sophie's friends, who she had worked with in an animal rescue centre in Thailand, for our last couple of days in the country.
While in Base, I popped outside to make a phonecall. I came back in and walked up the stairs, down to the end of the corridor, used the room key to open the door and sat down on my bed. Sophie wasn't in the room but I thought nothing of it. The book I'm reading was still on my bed, but I realised that my rucksack wasn't there. Neither was Sophies. In fact, nothing of mine, except my book, was there. Had she moved everything? Why would she do that? But wait - there was another girl in the room opposite me who I didn't recognise. She had previously been an English guy, and now she was some girl looking at me oddly. As I looked around I realised that everything looked a bit out of place. I realised that even though my book was there, I was on the wrong bed. Even though my key had worked, I was in the wrong room. It became clear that I was on the wrong floor. So I left and went downstairs and in to the correct room and curled up in a baffled heap.
Anyway...
I've decided that New Zealand is like Lord of The Rings:
It's totally overrated. It's expensive. At times it was pretty slow and the end really dragged. There's some really ugly fuckers in it. Frankly, some parts of it are a bit shit. I blame the locals.
Kiwis in general aren't very bright. I can feel myself actually getting dumber from spending a year surrounded by them. The majority of them know nothing about the rest of the world - they're genuinely uninterested. They don't make eye contact with you when you pass them on the street. And Kiwi girls (when you can find them) are a fucking nightmare. And rough as, bro.
What's going on with this country? New Zealand's attitude towards recycling, the mass emigration (It's difficult to find people aged 20 to 30 here), the cost of living along with the unbelievably low wages, the party pills that are legally sold everywhere (I was told they were like a legal ecstacy. I tried one one Friday night. It gave me a short-lived buzz, then I went to bed and woke up on Monday)...it's all given me the impression that NZ is heading slowly but surely towards some sort of collapse and I don't think I could care less.
But in fairness, like Lord Of The Rings, there are some fantastic points. There are some truly awesome characters in this place, some magnificent views and at times it was perfect. I can't deny that some of the greatest moments of my trip have been here: The skydive, the dolphins, the penguins, the white water rafting. There were moments on D'Urville Island, at Cape Reinga, in Abel Tasman and sitting by the river in Blenheim where I can't imagine being happier. I wouldn't change any of that.
There are a handful of locals I have met who I count myself lucky to have crossed paths with. Sure, some will lend you their car and then treat you like shit. Others will just call you Honky Tonk and tell you to fuck off. But some Kiwis will show you immeasurable kindness and I'm grateful.
This last 12 months has been a struggle at times. Mainly financially, but also mentally. So much so that at times it felt like I was in a Tracy Chapman song. But it's all a learning experience, isn't it? It's definitely been good for me and has made me stronger and for that I thank New Zealand. I know in the future, as always, all the bad points will melt away like Hokey Pokey ice cream and I'll be left with those fantastic moments I had and the memories of the great people who looked after me in this country.
E noho ra, Aotearoa. I'm glad I came here. But I'm glad I'm leaving.
Latest Comments (2)
|
What a dickhead (reply)
Jun 1, 2008 07:30 EST by kiwi987
After looking up things about Tonga I came across this blog written by a complete tosser. A real whinging pom who thinks the U.K is everything and places like NZ are crap. If that is the case then why are so many poms emigrating here? Finish your working holiday (you wouldn't qualify for residency with your lack of qualifications) and piss off back to miserable ugly England with your really Ugly g... show all
|
|
The Yes Man (reply)
May 9, 2006 02:43 EST by dalibud
Siscri,
Having read your entry for May 05th. '...experience taught me that everything is so easy. I was reminded yet againg that with positive thinking, faith in yourself and others, and common sense I think everything goes your way. Paul Coelho might write a load of patronising shit sometimes, but he's positive and uplifiting and he was dead right when he said that when you want something, ... show all
|
 Post a new comment |
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries by siscri, from New Zealand or try a new search. |
| |
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
63 votes 
This is a top pick!
