I spent a little bit of time in Taupo and then headed to Hamilton. The north island is about to be hit with a huge storm, so straight rain for a week…awesome! I finally made some friends in Hamilton and they were awesome, German of course. It turns out Matt (one of the Germans) was turning 21 that day so they threw a mini party at the campground. I am in the process of de-cluttering the van because I will have to pack up and leave soonish. Maggie loved her potatoes so we had about a half bag left. I have no idea how to even cook a potato so I gave a handful of potatoes to Matt as a birthday gift. I’m so generous! We mucked around Hamilton for a few days then I had to make my way to Puekekohe to see my final lighthouse. This meant I was back in Original Pokeno Ice Cream area, my second favorite place in NZ. So of course I ended up stopping by twice! One day I will live the dream of the 4 scoop ice cream cone, just gotta find someone brave enough to go with me!
In Puekekohoe I met some Norwegians and weaseled my way into staying at their house. We went to the Manukau Heads Lighthouse, which was pretty cool. And we could actually go inside the lighthouse, 1st one that let us do that. That night I said goodbye to everyone and made my way to Mama Trudy’s house. I was giving her some blankets that I had to get rid of and really I just really missed her! I spent a good long while with the Neaves probably longer than they wanted me there! But they had just gotten back from their vacation from Canada and California so I had to ask all about the US. They actually had a lovely time. They ended up giving me an all blacks flag and a New Zealand flag, which I am forever grateful for. I have been looking for a really good flag since I got here and now having not just 1 but 2 given as a gift makes it so much better. I was able to at least trade them my American flag (Thanks T for bringing that over), so I guess that’s something.
had to stop by my favorite real fruit ice cream!
I am now crashing at Saeed’s place and I am finally back with my Bangladeshis. Living with the boys has its pluses and negatives. They are all the nicest people I have ever met which is part of the problem. Example: When we go to McDonalds or some place they ask if I want anything. I say no because I’m genuinely am not hungry. 2 seconds later there is a huge meal in front of me and when I say no thank you or I’m full. I get yelled at for wasting food.
I’ve been working on the lime farm and doing some food truck events. But basically I am a glorified interpreter. Greg got 3 new German boys to work for him. While the Germans speak English fine the Kiwis and Germans can’t understand each others accents. It’s actually hilarious.
While working a 4-day event in Hamilton, Char, Saeed and I took a trip to the casino because well to be honest Saeed might have a gambling problem, but ya know that’s fine. I ended up winning 20 bucks from my 5 dollars and quit right away, I’m not in the gambling business. Char lost all her dollars! Then we all went back to the large house we were all staying in. Christine rented a house for all the staff that was working the Hamilton event. It’s amazing it’s like living with 15 of your best friends.
I found out one of the Germans is an only child and I had a field day with that! Char and I were able to break him so easily so fast. All it took was pretending to not understand a simple card game he was teaching us and boom just like that he broke down. Next week I will be working another 4 day event but this time without my boys. They all have to go to Gisborne.
End Notes
If you ever want to feel like the most inadequate person ever just go to an Indian restaurant with 5 Bangladeshis. They eat so beautifully with their hands and they know what to order and what order to eat it in. They also order so much naan it’s a little crazy. When the meal was over their plates were wiped clean and my place setting was a hot mess with food everywhere.
Everyone here always thinks I am German. But for the 1st time an actual German told me my English was very good for being a German.
I wanna go to Bangladesh