Falling Apart

Napier is where our plans fall apart. Elvis, Kyle, and I are all a bit lost on what to do next. Kyle and Elvis are still looking for a farm stay, but cannot find anything they like. I am running out of things to do on the North Island, with only the Tongariro Crossing and Wellington left to explore. My serious lack of planning any itinerary for my travels is starting to hamper me. Once I take the ferry over to the South Island, the entirety of what I know about the South Island is this: Christchurch and Queenstown are the only big cities, there are glaciers somewhere where you can do something, and there is a peanut butter factory in Nelson I want to see. Lacking direction, I end up looking for farm stay as well for the holidays and to kill some time.

It is hard for me to describe what I find so enthralling about Napier. It comes down to the style, size, attitude, and activity of the city combining perfectly to my own personal preferences. I consider finding a job in Napier as I love the city, but it is unfortunately placed in the country with only one hike within a reasonable distance and somewhat boring landscapes outside the city. Napier would be one of my top suggestions of places to come when visiting if it were not so out of the way. Still, I have had such a good time here at the hostel that I am entranced with the area. Two English women staying here help the three of us fill our evenings. Hollie and Ashton are funny and energetic, and we end up spending one night with Hollie playing guitar and a common room full of people singing along.

Elvis takes great pictures

I finally end up trying for a work exchange opportunity with a nearby family who have a bunch of horses. I have always wanted to ride a horse, and I am hopeful I will get to work with the horses even if I do not have the opportunity to learn to ride.

Kyle and I are wondering the local museum in Napier. It is small, but exhibit-dense. The basement houses information about the earthquake in the 1930s that devastated the town. The top floor showcases the growth of Maori music. Kyle gets a call while we are in the museum, his motorcycle is finally fixed and ready for him back in Auckland. He decides to leave the next day on a bus to retrieve it, with an uncertain plan after that. I get a message back that they will have me at Silverford, the name of the property the family owns. I am to arrive tomorrow.

It has all happened rather rapidly. It leaves Elvis with a conundrum. He decides on sleeping in his car on the street for a few days while using the library as a tool to continue his search. He is hopeful for something quick. I tell him I will let him know how it is when I arrive and if they have more space. Only two weeks remain until Christmas and I am uncertain if I will remain at Silverford through then. Ashton and Hollie are spending Christmas at the hostel where they are having a big party to celebrate. Kyle says he will be coming back down to the area, and if Elvis sticks around as well I would like to spend it with them.

I say a goodbye to each of Kyle and Elvis once more, certain that this time it will be at least a day before I see them again. Before leaving Napier, I stop in at a music store. I told myself I would try to make my time in New Zealand productive. Learning a language or an instrument seemed good options to me. Lacking a reliable internet connection, learning a language would prove trying. Ukulele or guitar is appealing though. The manager of the music store convinces me guitar is the better option, and I leave the store with a travel-size acoustic. I am acquiring somewhat of a hoard in my car now. I need to stop buying things.