Wel(come/lingtons/lington)

Ta da! Another blog! I'm on fire.

...

Ok, I'm back from stop, dropping, and rolling. Here we go.

We left National Park the morning of the 23rd. We were delayed by a broken bus and a supremely slow delivery bus driver. Never the less, by roughly 10:30 we were outta there and on our way to the great unknown known as Wellington. We travelled south through stunning scenery and as we sang along to The Proclaimers, Afroman, and Nickelback (eek) I got a bizarre case of deja vu. "I have been here before" I thought to myself. "We will be stopping at Flat Hills for lunch" said my bus driver. "Eureka!", I thought, "I have been here before. This is ridiculously close to Rathmoy, in fact, I was picked up at Flat Hills to go and work at Rathmoy." Wow. I quickly shot a couple of texts off to the guys I worked with there saying "Hi" and that I hoped they were doing well, that I was passing by, and all that lovely stuff. We stopped for lunch. I had a lamb burger with chips (aka fries) and this delicious sauce that I have never experienced anywhere other than New Zealand and still don't know what it is. (When I know, You'll know.) Then it was back on the road. Just as we were passing the turn off for Feilding, which happens to be the turn of to Rathmoy, I recieved a text from Muzzy (one of the guys I worked with). It made my heart light. I will now type it verbatim so that you may share in my light hearted cheer.
"Hey julia. Good to hear from ya! As if i would have forgotten who you were. We were wondering just a couple of days ago how you were going. I tried ringing just now but you must have no service. I hope the world is treating you as you deserve. You're always welcome"
*insert collective "awwwwwwwww" here*
I'm definitely visiting those guys on the way back. I briefly/desperately contemplated hopping off the bus at the next town and getting the boys to come and pick me up so that I could hang out with them before going on to Wellington but alas and alack it was not to be. And while all my "alas and alack"ing might lead you to believe that I am sad I didn't get to stop, I'm not. Sad. I'm really quite happy.
Anyway. We carried on our merry way to a town called Taihape which claims to be the Gumboot Throwing Capital of the World. This claim is based soley on the fact that they like throwing gumboots (aka rubber boots, aka Wellingtons) and that they have a designated gumboot throwing arena. This arena truly is one of a kind, as it is the only known gumboot throwing arena in the universe. Taihape I tip my hat to you. That's fanaticism at it's best. Naturally, we got to throw gumboots. I stunk. However, this is 100% due to the fact that the prize for doing well was a free beer and I (obviously) had no desire to win. I was concerned though that if I put in a half hearted attempt I would still win, so I just stunk it up (on purpose!) to ensure that I wouldn't be the poor sucker would have to drink that beer. I succeeded marvelously.
Right... so then it was back in the bus and on to Wellington. We stopped quickly for a toilet break.

Ok. Pause the narration here. We are going to have a little think. In Canada we say "I'm going to the bathroom/washroom". We hardly ever say "I'm going to the toilet". Now in Kiwi land they Always say they are going to the "toilet". This makes me feel uncomfortable and as if they are being a touch vulgar. Does anyone have any suggestion as to why this may be?

After our washroom break, it was straight to Wellington. We arrived at Base hostel around 4:30, settled in and went for a walk throughout the harbour area. Wellington is artsy, vibrant, beautiful, and windy.
Becky. Come live in Wellington with me. We were made for this city.
During our walk we saw rowers rowing, swimmers swimming, bagpipests piping (actually there was only one but for continuity's sake...), runners running, and artists arting. This city is centered on art, culture, and water. Yes, yes. I am very much at home here. Oh! we also came across a sign for a live circus performance down by the waterfront that evening. I was totally stoked. The girls I was with not so much (girls are just no fun). We walked around a bit more, nothing eventful happened. Then supper, and then off to the circus! for me and Corina (cause she's cool and does stuff. More about her later).

The circus was awesome. It wasn't really a circus persay, it was more of a live busking show that incorporated trapese tricks, contortionism, juggling, clowning, slapstick comedy, and a weak story line. There were 4 performers and a live dj. I'm not really going to be able to explain what the whole thing was about but the general story line is that... Actually. It's not worth it. The boys were strong and sported 6 packs, the girls were graceful and sported extremely flexibity. The humour made me laugh, and stunts were definitely impressive. I may actually go again tonight, and if I do I will get some pictures and then you can share in my experience too.
Upon the conclusion of the circus, Corina and I went back to the hostel bar to met up with everyone else. Everyone else was lame though (they were drinking) so we ditched them and hit the dance floor. Yes folks. I found a sober dance buddy. We were the only people on the dance floor for a solid 45 minutes. And we tore it up. I haven't had fun like that in a long time. By the end of the night, there were 200 people dancing. Ok. No. There were about 50. But! There were only about 80 in the bar. So we won the hearts and bodies of nearly everyone there. There were actually a couple people that came up to us and told us that we started the dance party. It was pretty cool. Then my shoe broke. Which wasn't cool. Cause it's the only pair of non runners I have. And it meant that dancing got harder. But! Those of you who know me and my dancing know that I can't be stopped. And I wasn't. The night continued. We stayed sober, and stayed the center of the party all night. Corina! I salute you in the danciest way possible. You made that night awesome.

Next morning was this morning. I spent today switching over to a new hostel (which reminds me immensly of Clare's house in Rosthern. I feel in love the second I saw it. Nostalgia is a powerful force), wandering down by the harbour again, and chilling at the hostel writing to you. And, literally this second recieving a text from... Tyler. We shall possibly be doing something tonight. Huzza. Friends are fun.

I guess that's about it for now. I'm staying in Wellington for about 2 weeks. I'm at a hostel for one and then am renovating indefinitely after that. Fun times ahead.

You are all wonderful.
Julia