If you have never read The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho, please consider this my formal invitation // firm request. I will be happy to reimburse you for the cost of the book, and treat you to coffee afterwards so we can swap thoughts. The Alchemist has been read, reread, and gifted by me to many in my closest circle. What it lacks in page-turning thrills, it makes up for with spiritually uplifting perspectives. In fact, a copy made it into my bag with the intention of gifting it along the way, but the Universe* (via Julia) knew that I was better served by fresh pages on this particular journey.
“When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
I booked a spot on the Stray bus. We left Auckland with almost all 24 seats filled, and we groaned as our driver Karlyn (read: KAHH-lin) made us introduce ourselves and then play the Name Game. A few hours into our route, he made everyone get off the bus for our first group photo. 24 cameras in a pile.. One photo after another. After a few more hours, we arrived at an eco-lodge in the middle of the Raglan forest, and immediately took a four hour nap. We had no idea that this first day on the bus was mild compared to what was to come.
Karlyn arranged that most nights, we could all chip in and he would use that money to prepare a group dinner. Group photos, and now family dinners? I wasn't expecting this type of experience. What emerged after my (perfectly timed) nap was a bubbling pot of Shepherd's Pie, with plenty of crispy cheese lining the mashed potatoes. A fine first night.. full of food, laughter, and Rummikub.
The next morning we were off to see glowworms at the Waitomo Caves. If you've ever watched the Planet Earth episode on Caves.. this is where they filmed it. A nice group of us opted for black water rafting, and I found it interesting that members of our group were already referring to each other by name. Donning wetsuits and gumboots, we crawled and squeezed and squealed our way through the dark world. The 'rafting' was a short tubing trip through the underground river. If you talk enough smack about NZ losing the America's Cup, you will earn an extra flip underwater for it. Well worth the satisfaction.
That evening we were welcomed to a traditional Maori meeting house with full dinner spread and evening entertainment. The girls learned a hip-heavy Poi dance, and the guys learned a menacing Haka dance. I stayed up late discussing and designing a traditional tattoo with one of the tribe members. An intricate design unique to my story and my goals. I had heard conflicting reports about the cultural night, but the Universe knew I needed to stay and have my story visualized.
HOBBITON! For now I will say that The Shire exceeded my expectations and completed my childhood dreams. The hills are vast and rolling, the sheep are plenty, and the sunshine friendly. Beer tastes better at the Green Dragon pub. As I am still planning more LOTR adventures, they will receive their own post later on. Those of us that opted for Bag End did not see much of Rotorua other than a few hot springs and bubbling mud - still impressive. At this point, we picked up another Stray.. the German Terror. Nothing brings a group of people together better than the Name Game and communal distrust of another person. The Universe gave us the German Terror as a bonding tool, and we took full advantage.
Taupo was the first chance we had as a group to really let down our hair. Beautiful town on the shores of the largest lake in NZ, it had not one but two Irish bars. Half of our bus felt right at home, as we even tried to line dance at one point. Dancing continued as we got into the Element and interacted with a bit of the local flavor. Kiwi's have a way of growing on you. Let's go.
The next morning, we made a quick stop at Tawhai Falls walk for our group photo at Gollum's Waterfall! Smashing fishes on the rocks. We ventured on towards Blue Duck Station, a farm and conservation station only accessible by one narrow, hairpin road. Now read that again and picture a full-size bus with trailer attached. Upon arrival, Elaine and I were immediately glued to the farm dogs.. especially dear old Bob. I've never been happier to be covered in white hairs. Plus, I could now be sure that Elaine was Good People. A nice rainy evening in their cozy lodge led to good conversation with the volunteers, and a family dinner of rice and stew. The evening ended with Karlyn and I working on some long-exposure photos of the Milky Way. The Universe gave me a crystal clear sky on the one night I was furthest from light pollution.
The Universe also decided that I would re-injure my knee while caving underground. I was frustrated, confused. Here I am in the beautiful hiker's paradise of NZ and I'm limping? The majority of the bus got up early to hike eight hours over the famous Tongariro Crossing (active volcanoes, Mt Doom, etc.), and I sipped a coffee as they drove away. The Tongariro Crossing is no joke, and I was not surprised to see two members come back early - unable to make it past halfway. But my tweaked knee prevented me from being tempted to try.. the true blessing in disguise. Karlyn had plenty of activities to keep us distracted: photos ops across Mordor, an informational movie stop, and the more manageable two-hour Taranaki Falls Walk. Elaine and I sipped some vino in the hot tubs, no longer regretting our decision. Family dinner of curry chicken led to the creation of a joint facebook group - a place where we could all upload photos and communicate long after we parted ways. The German Terror scars poor David. The Swedish Army finally speaks. And I like em fresh.
As we drove on the next morning, I was faced with a decision. I had planned to get off the bus in Wellington and do the South Island without Stray, once I found some good people. But here I was, on Stray, and I'd found my people. As we stopped for a group photo and an actual gumboot tossing competition.. I looked around and realized how close we'd all become in less than a week. Irish, Scottish, English, Swiss, German, and even a darn Canadian. As I stepped off the bus to make a few phone calls, I returned to shouts of joy and encouragement. The tribe has spoken.. I'm staying on the bus.
Wellington provided a meeting with Gandalf and some trolls, the Te Papa museum, and a nice group dinner as we parted ways with some of our mates: Kevin, Christina, Julie, and the Young Lovers. The whole group was also super sad to see the German Terror find a different route. Wellington as a city offers so much more culture and flavor than Auckland in the north, and I can't wait to revisit it on my loop back through the country. The group made the most of their night together, enjoying an evening of live music by the Drax Project (drums + sax). Ruth and I didn't want the night to end, and we wrestled each other for fear of having to let go. Maybe. As we slept off our night on the ferry ride between the North and South islands, I thanked the Universe for Karlyn's tactics and the bond they had created.
It is hard to say which choices are 'correct'.. But if you are making a genuine and dedicated effort to achieving any goal, be it long-term or short-term, I truly believe that the people you encounter, the environments you pass through, and the mystery binding us all together will lead you to success. Success.. almost certainly defined differently than society begs you to believe, but Success.. the valuable lessons mastered along any worthy journey.
"When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.”
~~~~
PVs:
1) Befriending a local, and actually staying in contact.
2) Standing in the same place Bilbo did when he shouts, "I'm going on an adventure!" If you know me, you know that I am almost always looking for the next adventure.
*The Universe: There are many different labels for the Universe. Many identify with the Christian perception of God; some refer to God, though their image is vastly different. Some consider positive energy or outward vibes. I don't particularly care what you call it, but for our purposes, I refer to the binding mystery as the Universe, since that's what Paolo Coelho uses (who is, in fact, a devout Christian).
PHOTOS
1. First group photo, outside of Raglan.
2. First family dinner: Shepherd's Pie.
3-4. Maori cultural night. Girls do Poi, boys do the Haka.
5. Hobbit hole!
6. Elaine and pups at Blue Duck Station.
7. Dear old Bob.
8. Blue Duck scenery.
9. Blue Duck sky.
10. Canadian Kevin.
11. Gumboot group photo in Taihepe.
12. Some of the gang at our gumboot tossing competition.
13. Overlooking Wellington.
14. Gandalf and I scanning for trouble.
15. Silver Fern - the national symbol.
16. The departing group, with Karlyn.
17. Ruth and myself - start of the wrestling.
18. Ruth, Kevin, and myself.
19. Our bus, Mrs. Bailey!
