This has been a month of high winds and lots of rain. A few days ago there were two tropical cyclones, or something like that, out at sea, and they met, and there was this cool "Perfect Storm" thing which meant winds of 100-150 kph here in Paihia and torrential rains. It was very exciting, and nearly dead at the Swiss Cafe. This was good, because our manager and the owner, Kelly, took off for two days and left Jen and I in charge, so with two very quiet days it was quite easy for us.
Speaking of the Swiss Cafe, Jen and I got raises! We now get $13.50 an hour instead of $12.80, which is not too much, but it's something.
We leave to start traveling in three weeks. I am so ready to leave this city. Every other place I've spent a lot of time in (Ferndale, Ann Arbor, Isle Royale, northern California, even Frankfurt) I've grown to love. Familiarity tends to breed affection. But I feel a kind of disgust for Paihia. It's city without a soul. Paihia has its bright, candy-hard exterior, all tricked out for the tourists - but inside there is nothing but a light fluff of under appreciated dishwashers and tour guides: lazy, vacuous backpackers and hidden, disvalued Maoris. I will not miss this place. I'll miss the Swiss Cafe; I'll miss Centabay; I'll miss our little flat, and our friends we've made here. But I can't even look at the ocean without seeing one of the enormous, gaudily-painted tour boats heading out with another load of Europeans.
Pardon this rant - I think the rain is putting me in a cynical mood.
I was just debating whether to remind you that you're supposed to be keeping a blog. :)
ReplyDeleteYay for more blog posts! Less yay for the current wind, rain, and disgust. Boo. Michigan misses you! I do too :).
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo rain! I'm in Portland, now. It rains ALOT. haha but I like it here. We miss you! The pacific Northwest misses you ;) Have fun in your last three weeks in the terrible candy city. haha
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