"Things just work differently here, things just work differently here, things just work differently here," I continue to remind myself.
The difficulty and benefit of travel is that you have the opportunity immerse yourself in other cultures, traditions and general systems of existence. These days I have become very used to the spoils of home. In the United States we have many amenities that have not even made their way to some ends of the earth. I know deep down this is a great thing. The slower pace at which many other places move is something that we can all learn and benefit from.
I certainly enjoy the warm hello and willingness to have a conversation before the transaction of the day here in New Zealand. Whether you are about to check into a hotel or trying to purchase a new shirt, Kiwis are generally interested in what you have going on. I would expect at least double to triple the time to check into a hotel here, many times due to a lengthy conversation with the owner (most hotels here are privately owned) about where I am going and what I am up to. I appreciate this. It is a much nicer way to handle business by exchanging a few kind words instead of just exchanging money.
There can be a downside as well. I am frustrated, I will admit it. The general response to the question "Do you have wireless intenet access?" is a puzzled look. I am in a hotel and have a ton of photos and blogs that need to go up on the internet, and I cannot even find out if there may be somewhere in town to connect so that I can upload content. In the end I know that I am just tired. Since I started the day trying to deal with the final painstaking details of shipping the vehicles then climbed around on a glacier all day and finally drove for three hours only to have this response, it is very difficult to keep a positive attitude. Worn down and tired, the last thing you want is more adversity.
The answer that I want as an American is, "Yes sir, we don’t have that, but I will find out what it is and get it right away." After a good night sleep and the Wildfoods Festival ahead of us tomorrow here in Hokitika, I am sure I will return to being charmed with the culture surrounding me. For now, I will go to bed with a grudge like a little baby…and that is that.
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5 Comments
morning boys! shop, that is a truly miserable look you have on your recently clean shaven face. if it is any consolation you will have more access than you and the rest of the world need once you hit singapore… not so sure that is all positive however… appears bouey has a beer back in his little corner, maybe you need one too:-)
Sounds more like you need a gallon of Tequila and a little TLC……Miss ya both!
Steve…I so appreciate your candor…exhaustion and frustration are inescapable on such and journey and hopefully short lived. Your thrills and joys will definitely outshine the bumps in the road….I wish you great luck and blessings…hang in there….I have told all my friends about your trip and am excited to hear more….your friend in louisville CO..Meegan Lynch
Well, today is the 12th and hopefully you got some much needed rest and are now at the festival enjoying yourself :) I sent a message to you on Myspace. Hope you got it. Anyway just wanted to say HI and HELLO and miss ya! Besides the current frustrations I hope all else is well! Little Miss Yo…
Suck it up Shoppman. JK…You’ll be fine. At least your speeding ordeal did not end up with you snuggling a 300lb Kiwi inmate named Brutus. Take some words from someone who’s never left America and has no idea how difficult it is. I’m proud of you guys and everything will work out. Say hi to Bouey…