The Guy from Canada

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I haven’t posted anything in a little while because I haven’t really done much! I’m just trying to rest up because I caught a cough going around the hostel. Ah the joys of living in close quarters with a lot of other people. (This can be edited out if you wish to read it to Grandma, Dad and or Leslie)

I’m still waiting on my IRD number to come through, there’s a chance that it is done but has yet to be sent off, so I’ll give them a call on Monday about it. I may be able to get the number over the phone which is good as that is all I need to start work now that I have my bank account. Uncle Stan was wise to remind me that I am here to explore the country and culture first and work second, so though I am looking for work, I will not let that overshadow the fact that I am in another country and there is a ton of stuff to see and experience!

The wire transfer came through on Wednesday so I have a great deal more breathing room, not that I won’t be conserving it like the frugal Hussmann I have been for the last 9 months (a year is a pretty long time to live off any amount of money). I’ve made a bit of a name for myself around the hostel, many know my by Eric, but a lot more know me as the guy from Canada. I left my camera in the TV room and as opposed to spending $500 on it, someone picked it up and turned it in to reception (I came running back to the hostel as fast as my jandaled feet would carry me once I realized I left it there) where they waved me down the second I came up the elevator and said “I bet you looking for a camera right? Your friend said that the Canada guy left it behind”.

I saw Iron Man 2 last night with some of my English and Irish friends. The Movie was alright, but we were seated in the front row because we bought our tickets a little later than we probably should have, and because the seat number is printed on the ticket you buy! A fair way to divvy up seats I guess but pretty lame on the whole.

So I am heading up island on Tuesday (after having mailed some of my possessions home on Monday) and I’ll take a lot of photos. My lack of pictures can be attributed to both lack of anything to take pictures of, and a bit of poor timing when it comes to having my camera on me. I’m on the evil Facebook now too so I’ll try to post some photo galleries there as well, drop me a line (Eric Hussmann) if you are one of the masses who was drawn in as well.

Thank you to everyone who has given me words of support and advise, It’s great to know that people back home are interested and care! Talk to you all next time!

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Comments

[Uncle Stan]

Aukland is nice but lets get to the farm
Good on you Eric, sounds like you have got the true spirit of travel. Make freinds as some will turn into life time freinds , the part of the world you hail from is actually where everyone wants to come to! As you travel you will be answering as many questions as you ask.Keep a good list running of aquaintances as you go,Deb and I still get notes from travel mates from back in the 70's.The pics are openning on my Iphone ,they are great so dont lose the camera and more pics please.We are just letting go from Port Hardy north bound with a midnight stop at Bella Bella,up the inside passage to Prince Rupert. So travel safe we're all waiting for the next post......Stan

[Mom]

Lucky Guy
Hey, glad to hear you aren't down a camera. We got cut off on Skype last Wed, did your battery run out? How's the cold, hope you are feeling better. Talk to you soon. Love you, Mom

[A. Deb]

just being there is great.....
Don't think for a moment that time spent not doing something exciting is wasted! Just being there is special! Soak in the differences between home and your current locale. Sounds wonderful! Sorry to hear that they let McD's past the customs barrier to proliferate like vermin. Maybe it would be a good place to experience the worst possible lamb burger. (they serve lobster burgers in maritime canada, horse in France, so why not lamb in NZ?) At least everything would taste better elsewhere. When we were in Hawaii I was uncomfortable with being on a speck in the middle of a vast ocean - too far to a large mass of land. No logical reason for that, hell, they have all the requisite trappings of civilization: Hyundai dealerships, homeless people, McD's, and freeways going everywhere. I wonder if you've felt this vague sense of discomfort about NZ? After all it too is a speck in themiddle of a pretty large expanse of water. Hope not, or if you do, just remember that it's temporary. I can't wait to see pix of the Bay of Islands! Have a relaxed, interesting time!

[LaRae]

Hi
Hi Eric, We are freezing here! Our high in Bamfield today was 7 degrees! Can you believe it! My calendar says it is May 3rd but it sure doesn't feel like it! We saw Danielle yesterday in Port Alberni. She and 6 friends were there for the down hill mountain bike race. She decided not to race in the end because she wasn't feeling well. Logan did well. I think this was his second race. Syd was shocked at the trail they were riding on. He couldn't believe that Danielle races on trails like that! It was really cold up the mountain too. Grandma was going to come for the race too but didn't make it. I'm so glad because she would have been freezing. Danielle's work (B.C. Bike Race) will be in Cumberland on June 28th so Syd and I will see if we can stay with your Mom and get a visit in with Danielle there. She won't be riding as she will be working (and getting paid) so we will take a picnic lunch and have a lovely visit with her. Maybe your Mom will have the day off too. Glad to hear there are honest people in this world. I, myself, have been very fortunate with things being turned in. One time in Zihua I lost my purse and it had my credit cards and the money to pay the construction workers. Then I got an e-mail from a young girl who had found it. Everything was in the purse and she showed me where the handle had broken. This girl was working in a hotel and only made $10 a day. She could have retired off what was in my purse! LOL! I'm looking forward to your pictures. Keep your fingers crossed because Danielle is going for her Photography Program interview and show and tell (her portfolio) on Wed. I'm sure she will do well but extra good vibes help! Travel safe! Love, LaRae

[anonymous]

Glad you are not known as 'the American guy!" My name on facebook is 'A. Clark' as I like to be anonymous. I will show my account to your dad too so he can see your pictures, taken with your aved camera! Hope the Bay of Islands is great. cheers Leslie

[Uncle Stan]

Where is my helper?
Hey, hows the southern traveller ? I'm about to start on the addition for our bathroom and got to thinking that my carpenter apprentice is of trecking somewhere! Oh well don't worry Eric the work here is never done. Have you got out to the Islands yet?( assuming theres islands at the Bay of Islands)Grannys truck went back to Bamfield with Will and Sarah,she hopes to drive out to Pachena Bay when back in the summer.Her cast is off and now finding not much strength after 6 weeks of being in the cast.Did you connect back up with your new freinds?It will be very interesting for us back home to follow your season as winter closes in and we move towards summer.Mind you its not yet looking like summer around here ! Still quit cool but the grass is growing as fast as usual.Well I'm digging in the footings out back and hope to finnish today so best get at them! Be safe.......Have fun Stan

[Eric36]

The Southern traveler is doing well up in the warm North of the South! I'm heading out to Russel tomorrow (which is on one of the islands) and will spend most of the day there. The weather predictions are for the sunny clear skies we've been waiting for all week which I plan to put to good use. I missed my buddies by a single day which was unfortunate, but I've been keeping in contact with them with the evil Facebook. I am envious of Will and Sarah as I had hoped to get out to the west coast trail before I left, oh well, I 'll have to make time to get out there when I get back. Please wish well to Grandma and everyone else back home and good luck on the construction, maybe I'll actually be in the same hemisphere next time you plan an addition!