Okay, I realized it says on the posts that it is Nov 10th, but in fact here it is Nov 11th--so it can be kind of confusing. Money in--I am good to go--chattering for the next hour or so.
After visiting a number of car rental counters, Joel was becoming more and more frustrated. I was totally occupied with purchasing a calling card and having the woman explain over and over the procedure for calling outside of NZ. So, that by the time I saw Joel again he was agitated and I was pretty chill. Finally settled on a car--not many options. We were escorted beyond the airport to the rental lot and the young guy and I were chatting away. I said: so. . .the car . ..is it like a Toyota Camry? He said: Well, not exactly--it is like what we call here a . .. (unfinished sentence) So, I said: You mean, like we call in the US, a pimp car? He laughed and to my dismay said. ..Yes! Oh gawd! He drove out a fire engine red pimp car with a spoiler. I am embarrassed beyond belief to be driving this thing. If I just stay inside (the interior is black), I can forget what I am driving.
It turns out that we arrived on the day of "The Cup"--NZ's equivalent to the Kentucky Derby. Harness racing and all the festivities that accompany such an event. Ladies with outrageous hats and sexy dresses and guys, well . ..drunk. We made our way to a supermarket to buy supplies. No problem--you get used to sultana bran and you get real NZ gala apples for the same price that you pay in the US. We then went in search of a "chilly bin"--that is a cooler for camping. We were instructed to go to the Kmart or mall. Well, as Micah has said before: Every country has its LaPine. For all you folks who are not from Bend, or Oregon, just think banjo playing in the movie Deliverance. (Oops, hope I haven't offended anybody. Any folks out there from LaPine?)
After much ado, we did locate one and bought a couple of cheap camping chairs. We headed to our small efficiency studio apartment located in downtown Christchurch. Many details later--I had to park this red monster on the 10th level of a very narrow parking structure. Just wanted to park that sucker and get on foot. We settled in and took our first walk through the city. Love the strange combinations of architecture and art (very old with very modern). We walked through Victoria Park and along the Avon River lined with some of the most beautiful trees that I have every seen. The sun was out but it was a little breezy and cool. We stopped in at Mum's--a Korean/Japanese place that I had spied. I had some yummy be bim bop and Joel had one of the hottest seafood soups that I have every tasted! Y'all know what I mean by Korean hot. He was sweating something awful. That called for a couple of beers.
When we got back to the room I thought I would slip into jammies and read a chapter or two--a nice gentle segue into glorious sleep--and then this feeling came so suddenly. .. ..like when you've been drinking and nothing has happened and you think oh I am just dandy and then the floor falls out from under you . .. or maybe like someone slipped you a mickey and you realize it in that last final moment of blam! . ..unconsciousness. Ten hours later and you have me sitting in front of my laptop. Today's plan . ..well, I've already made myself a couple of cups of double shot expressos with milk. Chomped a banana and will be ready to roll. Just got to pack some food and oh, yes . ..get out of my jammies. There is a little rain and so we may have to alter our plans. Within the next day or two we are planning on hiking out of Christchurch up the "hills" to the Sign of the Packhorse on the ridge overlooking the Banks Peninsula and Lytelton Harbor. There are incredible parks in this city (64 of 'em) and we will take this opportunity to expunge the jet lag before heading out onto the Banks Peninsula to Akaroa and to a working farm for a few days. We will be (hopefully) kayaking with dolphins, hiking trails, and maybe get the fishing rods out for a little casting. I know this: We will be having fun. After Akaroa, we will head south down the coast to Oamaru to a hostel, then further south to the Moeraki boulders and then to the hostel in Dunedin where I will probably post to the blog if time and money permit. We send you much love. Linny and Joel
No comments:
Post a Comment