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New Years Eve

I wake at 08h00 and it's the quietest I've seen the hostel. Normally the kids are up and running around by seven. Work at noon and I have a few things to do, including washing. Why is it I always find one item of dirty clothing after I've hung everything else out?

Work 12h00-01h45; clearing tables, setting up fences and stocking fridges. I spend most of the night moving stock from the cellar to the bar, then all of a sudden as midnight is almost upon is the bar empties and everyone is outside. Another rush after the witching hour and the bar closes at 00h20. Doesn't take long for people to leave and by 01h45 everything is back to where it belongs. A free sandwich and free drinks (for those that are interested). Feels very weird to be recovering in 2012 and knowing that England is still six hours hours away from it, the parties wont have even began to warm up.

The hostel is still alive when I get back in. The other (younger) bar staff are heading out to a house party. I grab a shower and head to bed, but there's a lot of people wandering around and I have work at 10h30 tomorrow.

I don't usually like New Year's eve; I'm not really interested in getting drunk just because the clocks complete another loop, but this one feels particularly hollow. I have a few friends here and I'm not sure what we would have gotten up to if I hadn't been working, but I feel a long way from home.



New Years Day

I wake about half six, I think, and with the sun streaming in and people moving around I drift in and out until half eight. I have plenty of time to wash, dress and breakfast (toast, noodles and a pancake).

Work 10h30-13h15; clearing the garden (I find $12 in dropped change), moving stock and collecting glasses. At 13h15 the boss (Glen?) tells half the staff to go home, which confuses everyone as it's busy and getting busier. I'm tired, I'm dirty and I don't argue.

People are moving on today including: Jackie and a German girl I've been chatting to but haven't learnt her name (and a lot of the party people). Tony and a couple of the other familiar faces are leaving tomorrow. Sounds like there's some families moving in, but maybe there it'll be a little quieter tomorrow.

Spend the afternoon drifting around the hostel; reading, napping and eating. I say goodbye to Jackie. No phones calls about work tomorrow, but I don't chase anyone either - a day off doesn't sound too bad. Tony comes in from Kite boarding and we head to the Tavern for a drink (they owe me a free one from this morning).

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