Wow, what a day. I'd like to announce that I've had my first panic attack here in NZ. That didn't take long.. Everything was great when I arrived - picked up my bag from baggage claim, found my way to the shuttle bus, walked from the bus station to my hostel. No problem. My backpack is not light. But I did it, and I was excited to get to exploring the city. From the walk, I knew I liked it. People and street lights and buildings! I didn't know how much I like cities until I came to New Zealand and spent time in a lot of very small towns. Both are great. Time to spend some time being a city slicker though.
I met one of my roommates - can't remember her name, but she's German. She told me that all the hostels are booked this weekend because of some concert here on Saturday. This is when I started to panic. My easygoing loosy goosy adventure may not work all the time like I had planned.. I hurried to call all of the hostels I knew about - nothing Friday or Saturday. I just prayed to God that I would find somewhere to stay.. And I remembered that my mom got the phone number of a girl from Wellington in the bathroom of the Queenstown airport.. Ding ding ding! I found her contact info and called her up. Luckily she remembered my mom and offered to let me stay with her Friday night. She even invited me to a party she's going to tomorrow night. I accepted, kind of nervous, but excited to meet some real kiwis! I didn't want to be too much of a leech, so I just said I needed a place Friday.. So now I still needed something for Saturday. I took a break from worry and went to dinner. This hostel provides a light meal, so I went to the bar next door for my fish and chips. My new roommate was there, so I sat with her. And suddenly spotted Eva - my Dutch roommate from the Albatross Backpackers in Kiakoura. Small world! The three of us sat and ate and talked. I headed out to explore a bit. I went down by the harbor. Lots of people out. It is summer here! Little boys jumping off the plank into the bay. A team of rowers. And it's a big arts/music festival all of February and March here: "Fringe". Salsa dancers on the street, sidewalk chalk, and I got to see a big circus show just out on the lawn. Really cool acrobats and gymnasts!
After much thought and worry I remembered another kind New Zealander stranger who might be able to help me out: Adam Mecham's old mission companion. I had been in contact with him on Facebook a little bit, but he's in Auckland. I just messaged him, asked him if he knew anyone I could crash with Saturday night in Wellington. He replied instantly that he would find someone, no problem, and let me know tomorrow. These kiwis are the best. So hospitable and generous! My worries instantly deflated and I am now able to relax a bit. I think I will try and be better about actually booking my places in advance now. This time it looks like it's going to work out, but it won't always. Also, I'm saving about $50 by staying with people instead of renting a bed! There's the silver lining to all of this.
Now I just need to figure out how/where to store/transport my stuff while I'm between hostels.. Oh the wonderful adventures of Bridget Rose Flynn.
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