Kia ora from New Zealand.
I've been in Wellington for six days now, and about to move North to do some trekking around Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park on the North Island. My friends Pat and Diana picked me up from the airport on Sunday with their buddy Eamon, and we enjoyed a lovely day in the park drinking wine. They have all been here for a year working throughout the country. We hung out in their apartment in Kelburn, a nice neighborhood up on the hill next to the University, playing cards, drinking the Speights, and scarfing down hells pizza for the next 3 days. It was great to see my old college comrade again, and hear about his travels and life in New Zealand, not to mention meeting his very cool girlfriend. Visiting them right before they left the country proved fortuitous timing, because Pat, being the generous soul that he is, gave me the biggest Christmas present of my life, A NEW CAR! That's right, I am now the proud owner of a 1987 Toyota Carina, otherwise known as "White Lightning". We had a great time together, placing bets on the ponies, grabbing beers whenever it suited us, discussing the world, friends and the possibilities of life. The only down moment occurred walking home one day when a crazy Peruvian guy wanted to pick a fight with me. He claimed he had fought for the US in Vietnam under the promise of a visa, a promise that had been forgotten by our government. "I hate Nixon! I blow up Bush!" he said.When he started punching the brick wall is when Pat and I thought is best to leave. A Maori guy saw the whole thing and we laughed about it climbing the thousand steps up to Pat's house. Soon it was time for them to leave this country they called home on Wed. afternoon, parting is such sweet sorrow.
Pat and Diana on the balcony of The San Francisco Bathhouse on their last night. The music sucked, but the lead singer was wearing a gas mask, so you can't really blame them. You can't be too careful these days. Pat and myself placing bets on the ponies. I lost every time, damn donkeys!
Left to my own devices the last few days has really marked the beginning of my real traveling. Up till now it has been just a long vacation, seeing familiar faces, having fun in places I have been before. I have spent my time alone thus far exploring the outer areas of Wellington with the car, exploring the city by foot, and hanging out in the hostel. One night I checked out a Pixies cover band called the Proxies at Cafe Bodega, supposedly the most famous bar in Wellington. They were quite good and it made me miss San Francisco, where I had seen the real deal twice. Last night I went bar hopping all around the city with this German fella named Marcel. He has been travelling around the world for a year and a half in the opposite direction than me. We met this kiwi who started flipping Marcel shit for being German, hailing him as Hitler for example. We also met a dude from Belgium who looked just like Sideshow Bob who was with a beautiful South African girl, go figure. We then checked out
a Talvin Singh concert, a good bass and drum DJ from Asia at a swanky place called Sandwiches.
http://www.talvinsingh.com/
I danced the night away till dawn, literally. All I remember is drinking liters of Tui beer and the flash bulb visions of sweaty kiwi's of all shapes and sizes frozen in time under the strobe light. Marcel would wonder around the place in his cool fedora hat he got in Bangkok, looking like a true international playa, then spontaneously break out some cool brake dance move when inspired by the funky beats. Needless to say, today has been a regrouping day, proud to say I got up by noon. For more pics of Welly follow the link to the slide show.
http://picasaweb.google.com/ethan.ahlberg/Wellington
Pat and Diana on the balcony of The San Francisco Bathhouse on their last night. The music sucked, but the lead singer was wearing a gas mask, so you can't really blame them. You can't be too careful these days. Pat and myself placing bets on the ponies. I lost every time, damn donkeys!
Left to my own devices the last few days has really marked the beginning of my real traveling. Up till now it has been just a long vacation, seeing familiar faces, having fun in places I have been before. I have spent my time alone thus far exploring the outer areas of Wellington with the car, exploring the city by foot, and hanging out in the hostel. One night I checked out a Pixies cover band called the Proxies at Cafe Bodega, supposedly the most famous bar in Wellington. They were quite good and it made me miss San Francisco, where I had seen the real deal twice. Last night I went bar hopping all around the city with this German fella named Marcel. He has been travelling around the world for a year and a half in the opposite direction than me. We met this kiwi who started flipping Marcel shit for being German, hailing him as Hitler for example. We also met a dude from Belgium who looked just like Sideshow Bob who was with a beautiful South African girl, go figure. We then checked out a Talvin Singh concert, a good bass and drum DJ from Asia at a swanky place called Sandwiches.
http://www.talvinsingh.com/
I danced the night away till dawn, literally. All I remember is drinking liters of Tui beer and the flash bulb visions of sweaty kiwi's of all shapes and sizes frozen in time under the strobe light. Marcel would wonder around the place in his cool fedora hat he got in Bangkok, looking like a true international playa, then spontaneously break out some cool brake dance move when inspired by the funky beats. Needless to say, today has been a regrouping day, proud to say I got up by noon. For more pics of Welly follow the link to the slide show.
http://picasaweb.google.com/ethan.ahlberg/Wellington
