“Let’s sit on top. ” The guy suggests.

“Ew, no! Too windy, my hair’ll get all mussed. ” The german girl argues, making the decision for the entire group. Did they really have to be on my ferry, AGAIN?

Today was a day for a new direction. I’d been taking the bus that goes around the bay, every day. I wanted something different, so I decided to head left, walking to a cafe in Days Bay. I found one, Chocolatz Cafe, just past the dock where’d soon catch the Dominion Post Ferry to Queens Wharf. The walk over to days bay was winding, like Laurel canyon, but NOT as steep. It was flat the entire way. I stayed on the edge nearest the water, in the bike path. Several cars passed, including one I recognized.

Lois was driving their car. I could see Andrew on the passenger side (remember it’s the left here people) and their friend in the backseat. I waved as I saw Lois pointing at me. I figured she was gesturing to her companions that she saw me. I continued walking down, following the curving road past one yellow cafe, but I didn’t want to go there. There was a playground near it so I imagined more people would be there with kids soon. I passed underneath many sheltering trees. They covered the road, it was like a forest on the beach – pretty neat. There was a college just before the cafe I was heading to, Wellesley College

When I got to the cafe, I checked the menu. More spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms. Seriously, I swear all the cafes have the same menu! The cafe was a nice beachfront cafe, reminded me of Santa Barbara. The owner, a nice, short, blonde old woman took my order. I handed her my card, and she… DOESN’T say anything about it! WOOHOO. As I was leaving the front door, to head out to the deck area to sit and read, an old man and grandson pass me. I smile and excuse myself as I squeeze past and out the door. The man was walking rather slowly, and had that humorous edge I find most old men have. His grandson was quiet, had a backpack on and tried not to appear embarrassed by his grandfather. Sounds about right.

I tried sitting at a bar type in the front, but it wasn’t right, so I moved down to a table near the opening. I pull out my book for the day, “William Shakespeare’s Star Wars”. I begin reading just about when the nice woman brings my Chai latte. More people come in, most take their drinks to go, but a few stay. Then out comes the giant spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns and toast breakfast number 4. Seriously need some new menu items, people. I can’t eat bacon and ham!

A bit later, I look up from reading and eating and see a rainbow across the bay. I snag a photo just in time. I wondered how many other people might have seen it. The world was pretty empty over where I was. The city was probably too busy to see.

I hear the grandson and grandfather walking out behind me. I notice the grandson over the wall, and lift up my camera to take another photo of the bay, in the panel reflection of my camera, I see the grandfather.

“Hey there, now, are you sure there’s nothing else around here ya want?” In the camera reflection I see the grandfather pointing at me. I hold back chuckle and smirk as best I can. The grandson laughs and shakes his head, saying no. They cross the street to the parking lot in front, and I can see the grandson continually watching me while I take more photos and as he heads to the passenger side.

I finish my drink, and walk out to head back towards the ferry dock. I pick up some shells on the beach, there’s not much in the way of sand, just rocks and shells. I watched a family on the beach, and some seagulls play in a pool of water. I think the seagulls are cleaner, or at least much whiter. A man in a wetsuit who had gone out swimming while I was eating, came back up to the showers. I took more photos on my walk down the dock to wait for the next ferry. i still had awhile before it would arrive, so I sat down to read. Just then, I heard two ferry workers come down the dock. They were making very loud conversation. They might have been in their middle thirties, both with tattoos and in their ferry uniforms. For the next half hour, all I heard was them tearing down some signs and discussing putting up new timetables. Every so often a ‘mother f*ckin’ comes from one of them – guessing they weren’t happy with the amount of wind there was.

Slowly, people gather on the dock. The Dominion Post Ferry arrived around 1030, and carefully pulls up next to the dock. The driver and his companion take positions on the dock and on the ferry, maneuvering the ramp for us. I know there’s a name for it but I can’t remember right now. A few people get off and then the large group of people waiting on the dock climb aboard. I found a nice corner seat in the back near the stairs. The benches were comfy, with fake leather cushions.

Every time I think ‘comfy’, I hear the 11th Doctor, saying “We have comfy chairs,”and the angel replying “We have no need for comfy chairs,” in the Byzantium episode from season 5.

“Ha, I made him say ‘comfy chairs’.” Commented the Doctor.

A woman and young boy came down the stairs. They had gotten off the ferry when it arrived, and I guessed the woman was trying to distract the boy as he was very excited by the boat. He had light brown curly hair, a blue sweatshirt, grey pants, and slotted sandals. He was also very hyper and friendly. I’ll soon help him with his shoe, and make conversation about the broken samsung phone he was holding, and how I couldn’t open the windows.

He became attached to me during the ride. I seem to attract kids, no idea.. none…whatsoever( *cough * mom *cough*) why that is.

I start to read some more when the young ferry employee comes up. He was kind of an older version of the young boy, honestly. They both had light brown hair and kind eyes. I pay for my fare, no getting away with it this time! A short while later we dock somewhere other than where I thought we were going. I ask where we are as the young companion starts up the stairs.

“Wellington is the next stop, Darlin'”

Darlin’? ha, I bet I’m older than you, buddy, but okay.

We arrive at Wellington,and I see the Portofino sign. Apparently I’d passed the ferry spot on “waterfront day” and didn’t even know it. Funny how that kind of thing keeps happening. It seemed like everyone had just been on the ferry was crossing the same blocks and going the same direction. It started to bug me, so to be different I turned left on Lambton Quay instead of right, like the rest of them.

The mission now was for new shoes, most definitely. Trying to find the “Number One Shoes” store, Andrew and Lois’ friend had suggested to me the day before. After a couple of unsuccessful stores, I tried one more and who should be there but she-who-has-no-name! All the people in the city and I run into her, again! We chat for awhile in the store. She mentioned that today was her last day with her friends and soon she’d be out at her daughters in miramar, near the studios and weta ( I think). She too would be looking for a new job come the new year. Towards the end of our conversation, she pointed straight down Lambton to where she thought I’d find the best shoes. Had I gone right, instead of left, I’d have found it. Ha.

I said good bye to her, and headed back down the way I came. When I came to the store, it was kind of like wandering into a larger payless, with signs saying “buy 2, get one free”. I only need one, but I ended up with two, and I didn’t take them up on the three. I got some black all-star copy sneakers and a pair of striped flats. The nice gentleman cashier helped me, and even took the boxes so I would have less to carry.

After a ways down, I pulled over onto a bench in front of a guitarist and swapped my sandals for the flats.

Gotta break them in sometime.

Just a bit further down, I found myself at the cable car again. I knew there was a Zealandia pick up at the top, so I decided to hop on the car and go back up. I bought a round trip, and enjoyed my second ride up (oddly in the same seat as the first ride) back up to the top of the gardens. When I reached the top, there was even more construction than the first time. So many more workers, staring at the people getting off the car. As I started to head towards the way to Zealandia, I became more interested in going a new way in the gardens. I made my way down, and around taking more photos. I found a new duck pond, and flowers this time. I’m not a fan of flowers, maybe black and blue roses, but as it is with most thinks I like, they don’t really exist.

I made my around, and back up again to the herb garden, and found a new view. I then mazed my way down to a new cafe at the bottom; an entire route I had missed the first time. I knew I could spend all day getting lost in the paths.

At the entrance to the flowered garden, a small boy ran in front of me towards his mom who was sitting on a nearby bench. He tripped in the rock path in front of me.

“uh oh! Come on, get up.” said Mom.

The boy sat there for a moment and stared at mom. For a second, I thought he was going to cry but he didn’t. He just got up and went back on the grass, running around the groups of flowers.

I headed past the fountain where more kids were playing in the water towards the cafe. The cafe was kind of like a hot house, mostly because it was attached to one. It had some vined cover over its wooden deck. I went in and ordered a lemonade and a brownie.

I chose to sit outside, even though I knew I’d probably get sunburned some more. My seat was just off of the dead end road, in a residential area. It was crowed, lots of people chatting, and moving up and around. There were green and white plastic chairs, with wood picnic tables. There were also some wood chairs in the back. I was there about 45 minutes and heard a van pull up behind me. Moments later, I realized it was an ambulance, and two paramedics pull out a stretcher. tThey pushed it inside the cafe. I saw them lift someone onto the stretcher from the window near me. From the shoes the person was wearing, it seemed like a woman, and I guessed it was a senior citizen. One of the employees came out and moved the chairs near me out of the way as they brought out the stretcher. I pulled on more chair towards me, since it looked like the wheels might get caught.

It was an old woman, who seemed passed out, or worse. I honestly couldn’t tell because they were not rushing. The old man, most likely her husband, carried her coat and purse, but did not appear to be worried, or upset. He was very calm following them out. I looked around at everyone in the cafe. It was kind of like no one cared, or they just didn’t want to acknowledge anything was wrong. Maybe this was an everyday thing? i doubt it. I must have been the only one watching.

There were large groups of people at the cafe, and it looked like they were meeting for an early christmas lunch, and some a business lunch. I also recognized three younger people from the ferry. I’ll see them several times later – to the point where I just want them to go away. It was a blonde girl who spoke mostly german, another girl who appeared to be possibly japanese with black hair, wearing a multi color shirt. Their other friend was a male, short semi curly black hair, dark tanned skin, also with a multi colored shirt, but soccer style. He carried a fancy digital slr around his neck and was constantly stopping for photos.

I read for a little while longer and then headed up the route across the street where the ambulance had turned around before leaving. The route led back up to the cable car -woo another uphill hike. It wasn’t too bad since it took me past a sculpture garden – weird sculptures. I’ve discovered that New Zealand is rather fond of its artists and supports them in everyway possible. There’s an artist trail, where several artists open their homes/ studios for people to visit. I haven’t done it because it’s a long one and I’d need a car to get to most of them – still not willing to give the left side a shot.

I also noticed the garden and car were way more empty than the other day – I guessed it was because it wasn’t a weekend.

On the way up, I passed the trio again. The dark haired girl was standing on the guy’s back.

“It’s probably, what do you call it? Spine.” Said the blonde girl. The whole situation was just weird. I felt like they were following me or I was following them. I disliked this immensely. I ignored them as best I could and continued up to the cable car.

Ten minutes later, I got on, oddly somehow behind the trio, even though I had beaten them to the top. I was going for my lone front seat, after the dark haired girl and guy sat in the row just before it, but then suddenly the german girl sat down in my seat. I sighed and sat down in a lone seat where I was. The two joined their companion in the front. I realized I was where I had sat on the way down last time too. I guess those odds are pretty good when you do the math – and yes, I did the math. Speaking of math, they say “maths” down here.

I should stop a bit, and mention a few things I’ve noticed. “Fix 24” is like 7-eleven. It’s “a subway” or “a coffee”. They even have a “Mrs. ‘something or other’s Cookies”, which I attach to Mrs. Fields. Since it’s such a mix of the native culture and British/English, I imagine sometimes that I’m in england – until I walk into the te papa store and then I’m totally not. There are ‘no alcohol here’ signs in many, many places and the bars are mostly all down one alley. I haven’t been in the city passed 6:30-7 at night so I guess maybe I’m just not seeing it, but I havent seen a lot of people drinking. I also don’t see a lot of people on phones. Every so often on the bus a few people will be buried in them, but most of the time people are reading newspapers, talking to people, or reading a book.

Back to the cable car. Another Santa, Mrs. Claus and their grandkids get on. The kids won’t sit down, but Santa was obviously too tired not to, and almost fell over on me as he attempted to. The car reached the bottom, and I scanned my ticket on the exit turnstyle that isn’t a turnstyle , but more like a Star Trek sliding door version. The trio had to pay for their exit – ha.

As I came to the end of the tiny cable car alley, Iheard a familiar voice in the air.

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…”

Nope. Not Mel Torme, not Tony Bennett. It was my pal Frank Sinatra. I stood there a bit, not wanting to leave him behind. It started to get crowded however, so I had to say farewell to my old friend.

Where to next… I thought I’m running out of places to go – well easy places to go..

It was after 2:15, so I’d missed the next ferry. Now, let me tell you more about the ferry ride – I love the ferry. The water; the one to zero stopsI get to sit alone and not worry about people; The open sea air with a view of the mountains. So much more fun than a bus. It may cost more but it’s totally worth it. I don’t feel like I’m going around in circles like I do on the bus. Can I just take a ferry to work from now on? Make it happen, people. Maybe I’ll just go live on a boat; work on a boat? Maybe Aunt Kerry will live on a boat with me in Santa Barbara- first I need to learn more about ’em.

I wandered down a random street, kind off to the side where cars couldn’t drive own. To my left, I found the Te Papa store. I ended up buying a new pair of earrings, black and blue stones native to New Zealand. The funds go to the artists so I didn’t mind. I continued on and went in another store. I saw some scarves and hats… nothing in my style, and even if their was i wouldn’t spend $115 on a scarf.

I’ve noticed things are crazy expensive down here, even for the little things like batteries or a pen. It’s not even a tourist store like in airports where they jack up the prices. It’s just the typical pharmacy.

I spent probably more time than I normally would in that expensive scarf store, because I heard Frank again.

“Have yourself a merry little christmas…” Seemed he was just trying to help me enjoy the day even though it wasn’t really working out like I’d planned.

I think i’m done planning things. I’m tired of it not working out and I’m just tired from the actual planning research. Most of the places I want to see are far and I can’t get there faster than 3 hours by bus/train before I have to turn around and come right back. I’ve decided I’m going to enjoy wandering the city and if I make it to the shire, the aviation museum, and the locomotive museum, WOO. If not, I don’t, and I still had a good trip.

The store connected to a pantry store, with lots of neat goodies. another thing…tea is more expensive than alcohol. Seriously, I spent 14$ on tea, and $6 on a bottle of beer – I had told myself I would have just one for the gang. I’m not a fan of beer, as most people who know me are aware. I’ll have my whiskey, scotch, bourbon or combination of sorts, but only once in a very long while. I’m just not a fan of beer, but I figured I should have one at some point while I’m here – and only New Zealand made. There are several breweries around, but I’m not the kind to sit in a bar, and honestly, the bottle is still unopened in the fridge as you read this. I probably wont touch it until the weekend.

I left the pantry, and found myself back on the street where I had crossed with the large ferry group earlier. I walked to the other side, and made my way back to the dock. 3:40 was the next ferry. I bought a ticket at the nearby store from a rather rude young redheaded girl in a dress that looked like it was from alice, as in “Alice in Wonderland”. She acted like she didn’t want to be bothered with me buying a ticket.

gee, sorry I’m helping to fund your job…

I went back out to the dock and read the menu for the Portofino – ya..no.
All seafood and meats and etc..I tried, Grandma.

I turned back to the bay, and found a bench around the side. I was facing a very old boat, very rusted. A teen boy and younger girl were yelling across to their friends on a paddleboat on the other side of the small dock bay. I’m not sure what they were saying but there were no adults around, and I found it odd that such young kids were just hanging out on a rusty old boat called the “Sealion” – or maybe it was awesome. I couldn’t decide. Later, I saw two well dressed business women come and leave with different girls. Maybe it was a boat-babysitting…dock?

The ferry I had taken in the morning hadn’t arrived, but I saw the one that’s usually parked pull out from the dock on the right and make its way to park at the dock in front of me. I picked my stuff up and turned to see the trio again waiting at the entrance to the ramp. COME ON!

The boat driver waved at the group of us waiting to board. Somehow the trio was in front of me again, but they weren’t moving. They were too engrossed in their phones this time, obviously out-of-towners. Annoyed, I sharply said “We can go…” that’d be the LA talking. Out of all 400,000 and change people in the city and I get these three around me all day.

I found my corner seat again. This boat was obviously older with the way it was set up and the seats weren’t nearly as comfortable. I took off my shoes – I’d done that the first trip out as well – and sat “indian style” as we used to say when it wasnt actually known to be or considered racist. I played with the side plast window flap. The first boat didn’t have these. One poke and it went VOOP! The flap folded out harshly, leaving the back open to the sea air speeding by.

ACK!! I quickly flipped it back in. Hope no one saw that. I don’t think so… they’re all in the front.

I thought about moving to the top, but I do enjoy the bobbing in the back of the boat. I think the driver was having a bit of fun…

When we reached the Days Bay dock I’d left from the morning, I saw way more people. The beach and dock had filled with people swimming and waiting. As the newly arrived group got off and headed down to shore, several kids jumped into the ocean from the top rails, splashing the people in front of me. I had a feeling that was the plan, and apparently people can just jump into the water anywhere from any dock at any time. I have yet to see a “no swimming” sign.

I thought about waiting for a bus, but I’d walked down here this morning, I might as well cap the day off with it.

Around 4:30, the sun is high in the sky. At home it’s usually already begun setting. Maybe it’s because it’s summer, but the clouds here are particularly lower than I’m used to, so I figure the sun has a different pattern as well.

I would have been leaving today, if it hadn’t been for a very convincing “aunt” of mine. Now I kind of wish I could stay an extra week, but that will take much planning and more $$. Being jobless has its downsides and perks.

I have more thinking and “soul searching” if you will, to do here, and thankfully I have another week…

Now what do to do with that week? She says, opening the door to her temporary living quarters.