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Published: March 21st 2008
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The Eagle has landed
James and I made sure Tim arrived without any complications. (The package was in the open) December 07 - March 08
I arrived in New Zealand just before Christmas, and realized I was broke. Well, I had enough money for an emergency like a great concert or a replacement phone (thanks Niek), but really, I was broke. Luckily, Bali was very good to me when it came to Christmas presents for everyone in my family, so I didn’t have to worry about that. Anyway, I did a few calculations and realized I would be here at least for a few months, and I had to save like a madman.
I was looking forward to spending a week with Tim in January before I knuckled down and started working. When he came, I used up my last emergency dollars to go with him, Tom and James to see the glow worms in the Waitomo caves a few hours south of Auckland. We tried to use our natural Australian charisma to get a discount adventure package for the caves, but for some reason, the lady wouldn’t have any of it. We spent the night in a cheap hostel and got eaten alive by some sort of New Zealand insect bloodsuckers over a few beers and some
Black Water Rafting
Dashing Australians serious trampoline action. The next morning we went off floating on a rubber tube through underground rivers with a torch on our head and the gleam of the glow worms all over the roof of the limestone caves. Tim’s legendary Sméagol impersonation made a few appearances at intervals from dark corners and kept the mood light… for us anyway. Who knows what the German backpackers thought was going on - but we couldn’t understand them anyway. Needless to say, the caves were really impressive and definitely worth the money - and we all looked pretty dashing in our wetsuits.
Besides Tim's visit (and when Julie came for dinner) the past few months have been all work and no play for me. I have been at the Stamford Plaza, a 5 star hotel in the city centre carrying bags and parking some really fancy cars. Working there has been an eye-opening experience, some of the more memorable moments included: driving a huge new Rav 4 into a wall - not very funny at the time; getting invited up to the room of a flaming gay-Indian-backup dancer for some famous Indian singer (and refusing! But getting tricked up there later to
Hanging out
Nice little view over Auckland city. find him waiting for me in his underwear!! - also not funny for me at the time, but hilarious for everyone else); the staff room (with free meals everyday, and free coffee and ice-cream!!); and meeting so many great people (guests and especially the staff).
It will be sad to say goodbye to everyone at the hotel, they're such a great cultural mix of people. I work there 6 days a week, so I see them more than my family, especially because it’s all shift work with ridiculous hours. In fact, they're like a family to me... the porters are like brothers, the Kabuki gang are like the wild kids next door you get warned not to play with (but have too much fun with them to listen), the receptionists are like serious older sisters who always keep an eye on you (but who turn a blind eye if, perhaps, you were to steal guest chocolate bars when you get hungry on a late shift), the housekeeping ladies are like old Aunties who may or may not be insane, and the General Manager is like my dad (well, he actually is my dad, but let's not ruin the analogy).
Another cool thing about working in the hotel is getting to experience things that we can sell to the guests (like free meals in the restaurants - try our Kabuki if you get a chance, the finest teppanyaki you’ll experience with the best chefs). Another great experience was when a few of the boys and I got to go to the top of the sky-tower - the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere - and had a stroll around the exterior platform attached only to two ropes. This was all free, and was a good quality thrill. I put a lot of faith in the ropes, as you can see in the photo. I’ve never investigated the chances of surviving a 300 metre fall, but I’m pretty sure if those ropes didn’t hold then this photo would be the last you’d see of my rugged good looks and boyish charm. Lucky I was well-dressed too.
If you ever go to Auckland, GO UP THE SKY TOWER. The girls behind the desk are very attractive too, you’d be mad not to go really.
Another thing I have really enjoyed has been the interaction with all the guests, something
Hair cut
I'm clearly not so sure, but it seems like James was happy I’ve never really had to do before. It’s not customary to tip in New Zealand, but none of the international visitors have discovered this, and most of them still aren’t sure what the NZ dollar is worth, so we can get some nice tips for each job we do. Sometimes people give you 20 dollars just for parking their car. It’s all the luck of the draw really, I’ve had days with no tips, and days where I earned more in tips than in wages. I’ve been saving all the American dollars and Euros, and so far have used the NZ tips to pay for everything I need over here.
And dealing with these guests means dealing with idiots sometimes, which can actually be quite funny. A highlight of an ignorant guest I had recently:
Guest: We’re heading to Australia in about a week
Me: Ah, really? I’m from Western Australia. Fantastic place.
Guest: Oh, you’re Australian? ….So, do you come over here for work every morning?
Me: …………… *Checks if he is serious (he is)*
Me: Yep, every day. It was low tide this morning so I just waded over.
Ok, that last line never really
Pyramid
Now I understand why people say it's hard to balance things with 2 kids. happened, but if I’m ever in a similar conversation now I know what to say.
I’ve been playing for a basketball team over here too with some guys from work, and that’s been awesome (and I’m pretty sure the rings are a bit low - and that suits me fine).
I also had a job in a bar, but when I realized that I had been in there more times for a drink than I’d worked it was time to throw in the old white towel. Instead I’ve just worked extra shifts at the hotel, although bar work does seem pretty cool. I may turn to it again one day if I need to, but for now I’ll stick to visiting them.
I should add that it’s been lovely living in with the family again, and boy do I love Mum's cooking! Since I was last here Eddie has become an amazing artist too and Elizabeth has really grown up and seems more beautiful every day. I suppose it’s nice to see James too.
Actually, James and I have been extremely creative on the old music front, teaming up to write such great hits as “I facebooked your Mum”, “Europe’s not a checklist” and “People look up to me (but only coz I’m six-foot-three)”. As you can see from the titles, these are some pretty relevant topics, I guess we’re kind of folk singers, but we don’t like to be labelled. The songs have music to them and everything, they’re seriously great. If you ever catch James with a guitar, and if my nodules are well rested - we’d probably perform any on request.
Another memorable moment was when I shaved James’s head one day while mum had gone out for a few hours. Mum didn’t talk to either of us for a few days, but he definitely looked better with short hair than his previous do, which earned him the nickname Ringo from some good-looking joker.
What else can I say… nothing really. Auckland has been great to me, and their summer is surprisingly lovely. If only they’d stop calling Australia ‘Aussie’ and stop asking Australians “what are you doing here?!” as if New Zealand is some sort of embarrassingly dirty bathroom, then it would probably be a place I could quite easily see myself spending another 3 months if I really had to. Maybe two - we really have it sweet in Aussie… I mean Australia. Shut.
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Silas
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mate! a gay indian back up dancer??? Fuckin Funny. Hows fat tony goin?