When I realized that I was down to my last month, I decided to seize the day as much as possible so that I could have every Wellington experience possible for me. At the same time, once I had the realization that after my time here I'm going to have another two months of insanely fast-paced travel, I got pretty lazy. It's been a very eventful and very relaxing month, and now all I'm feeling in sadness at an ending and extreme gratefulness to have had my time here at all.
On a very sunny and beautiful day the weekend after I came back from Wanganui, Daisy and I drove over to Scorching Bay. We'd heard about a great cafe there (Scorch O Rama-- it IS great!) and I got a milkshake while Daisy got fries and then we looked at the sea and discussed the world. On the way back, we parked (with some difficulty on my part) and got touristy pictures of the Wellington sign, which mirrors the Hollywood sign. I quite like it- I think it's a fun way for "Wellywood" to define it's identity as one of the movie-making capitals of the world-- though I guess it's not too original.
I haven't, in fact, talked too much about my Room 7 Roomies here. But we've basically got the best room in the Dwellington. Chris and Federica (now, alas for her, always and forever known as Chippa, which I think is meant to be spelled Cippa because of Italian) are the greatest. Living with them (and at the Dwellington in general) is like the college experience I never had. We have fun!
I also like to torture them. I left Chris and Guilia terrifying messages under their covers when they went away for a weekend. Chris retaliated by creepily sitting on the chair next to my bed in the dark to terrify me when I came back into the room. My revenge, to surely happen before I leave, is TBD but will no doubt be merciless and horrifying. >:)
There was one (funny?) hitch in the evening which was very much all my fault. I went straight towards the theater after work to get us seats at a nearby restaurant, as they didn't take reservations. Sadly, we couldn't get into The Crab Shack, so I went to another one next door and was able to get their last table.
Do you know how a situation sort of gets away from you? I sat down and the presented me with a pre fixe meal for more than any of us wanted to spend. I knew it would be hard to get another restaurant so I decided to wait for Chippa and Leslie, to decide whether we should leave or not. Then they came and gave me water. I started sending increasingly panicked texts to Federica. Then our friend Matt from the Dwellington, who works there, came by to say hi. At that point I realized we probably couldn't leave. Chippa and Leslie came and DID want to go, and just as we started telling the waiter that maybe we would leave, Matt came by to offer us a bottle of wine (HE IS THE NICEST) so that was pretty much that.
No harm done-- the meal was delicious, and the bottle of wine Matt picked for us (again, he's the BEST) was incredible. But, though the lamb was really tender, I still couldn't actually cut it, so Chippa had to to literally take my plate and cut my food for me. Basically it was all a hilarious disaster and those ladies are wonderful for not stoning me in the street. :)
It was a very very great night. 10/10, would do again any time. :)
AND IT WAS SO FUN. I am a rugby convert. It helped that it was a great game, featuring the plucky underdogs (who had like half their team out on injury, and lost another 3 on the field) defeating the favorites to WIN THE DAY. It was particularly fun going to see it with a group of British folks- we had more support for England (the favorites), but with a nevertheless sizable Wales contingent (of which I was part, having been informed by Scottish Chris that is tradition that no one who is not English roots for England.)
ALSO ALSO ALSO in rugby they can only pass the ball backwards. I thought I was being mocked then Josh told me. But it's true! WHO. KNEW
We went on the Northern Walkway up to an amazing view of Wellington and the harbor. Then we sat on the grass up there for a while, and Paddy gave me a beer. :) I had one of those very rare moments where everything feels exactly right...
Even though it was such an AMAZING day it was also rough-- a sale with the car had fallen through so I was a bit stressed about that, and I was starting to realize how soon I was leaving, and getting the preemptive sadness I so often get. But then Daisy and Chelsea and Andy gave me the burger and Chelsea told me that I'm one of her favorite Americans, and I'm not gonna like that brightened everything right up. :)
On Wednesday, the day I left work 'cause I was feeling really sick. Somewhat unfortunately, I already had tickets to see The Martian and a voucher for food at a nearby pub. But readers, I wouldn't have skipped it even for the flu-- so away I went, poorly and sickly, and it didn't matter cause the movie was SO GOOD. Daisy and I had a very nice dinner before and discussed Space and The World and that was also pretty great. I thought I felt better on Thursday but in the end, not so much. Sigh.
Friday was my last day and work and very sad. There was a very nice going-away morning tea for me, which I really appreciated. It was certainly a pleasure to work there. I learned a lot and met some amazing people. It's a really nice and supportive work environment.
Saturday I was feeling sick again (my sore throat somehow turned to pink eye? which is a real thing??) so I went and got new tires on Hestia, and slept away the rest of the day. It was a real shame because it was my last full day at the hostel and the weather was beautiful, but I needed to rest up for the long drive up to Hobbiton the next day.
Leaving was really hard. To be honest, I asked Daisy and Federica to sneak out with me in the morning so it wouldn't get too emotional. It's easier for me that way, though maybe a bit cowardly. Still, there were some goodbyes and definitely some tears. I was very lucky indeed that Daisy and Federica came to Hobbiton with me, so I wouldn't have to say all my goodbyes all at once.
Time moves and things change, but I know I've made friends for life, and so it's ok.
-------