"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.
