” Oh my, ” he commented, ” that’s a heavy card.”
I cannot stress enough how much excitement my credit card is bringing. I think it helps to remind myself how much I’ve spent so far. I’ve seen people flip it around and stare, pet it, rotate, look up at me with questioning eyes, and swipe it the wrong way. It’s a credit card.
I got up early, as usual. I had looked at my brochures yesterday and made a schedule for myself for today. Deciding to keep it easy, I went with breakfast in Petone, and then a bus up to an art museum in Lower Hutt. It was 8:45, and I was ready to go but the next bus wouldn’t be around till 9:54.
So, I waited. I made some tea, checked email. I’d been messaging Jay all morning about having seen my recent deposits from my former employer. My bonus was extra taxed, which left me suddenly worrying about $$$. After a bit of back and forth, I decided to shut up. He was right, I’m on a trip – don’t worry.
Around 9:15 I made my way down the long hill to the coast. When I got there I noticed a sign:
Looks interesting, I like art! I thought. Maybe I’ll check it out this week.
There was quite a bit of time to kill before the next bus. Seems like I’m always waiting for the bus – I’d later repeat that to my host, Andrew, as he’s reloading the card and showing me I’ve spent a bit of $ for bus rides. Well how else was I gonna get around?? Flap my wings?
To pass the time, I walked down the short steps from the stop to the “beach” . I spotted a clear rock, which I gathered was actually a piece of glass that had spent a long time in the water. I put it in my pocket to bring home to Tiff. I picked up a few more rocks and hid them back up near the edge of the stop. I told myself I needed to get those later ( FYI: I’ll forget on the way back and have to remind myself again tomorrow).
A group of cyclists came by which reminded me there had been a group yesterday as well. There were more today, making me imagine the ones I usually see on the ride up the 1 to Santa Barbara. Voices came from behind the trees, near the house across the road. I didn’t see anyone or couldn’t rather, which should tell you just how forest-y it was around there.
By 10:50 I had ordered a veggie plate and hot chocolate. I do like my hot chocolate. I set up my iPad on a table outside the cafe, Saigon-Paris Cafe – mark that #5; Deluxe, Palace, Gloria’s, Boat, Saigon-Paris. As soon as I began writing, they brought my large plate of food. More spinach and tomato and mushrooms with hash browns, but this time they’d added fries (chips) and toast. Holy crap talk about carbs. I wouldn’t be able to finish, but as I sat there eating and typing, there were a few sparrows who really wanted to.
One appeared at my feet and chirped, staring up at me. Now, I never feed the animals at home, they’d just come back. This time I took a tiny piece of french fry and tossed across the sidewalk. The sparrow took it and flew off – making me believe he was gone for good. Nope, he’d be back and with two of his friends, all chirping. I’d even look up to see them sitting on my table with me as I typed. I was having a hard time typing too, and was getting frustrated with the iPad keyboard, missing my real one at home.
After breakfast I noticed that the sole of my shoe was falling off. I wore my flats today to let my feet breathe, I’d been wearing my motorcycle boots the past few days and didn’t expect a lot of walking today.
I’m gonna end up buying new flats here, I bet. I told myself, because it really did seem possible.
I walked over to the bus stop and checked the time tables. I knew I’d need the 83 up to Lower Hutt/Queensgate. I had about fifteen minutes, so it wasn’t too bad this time. When it arrived, I hopped on a middle seat. First time I’d been on a bus with a middle door.
Almost missing my stop, I quickly pressed the big red button, and the driver pulled over hurriedly. I had meant the next stop, apparently there were two really close. In any case, I just got off as to not disrupt the day anymore. I found my map of the museum’s location in my bag which was heavy from the book, the ipad, my camera, and sketchbook I had in it. I keep bringing stuff not knowing how my days will go.
Having gotten my bearings straight, I confidently crossed the street and went through a park. It was smallish, a few benches, but clean, no trash anywhere. Everything looked recently built, maybe a year or two new? I continued through the park, and passed by a city council building into another parking lot that led to the Dowse.
The Dowse was small, and full of mostly local artists’ works. A few artists were even still setting up their spaces. Most were extremely modern, and abstract.
“Hi there, how are you?” The front desk clerk asked. He had awkwardly cloud-like hair and the eyes to match.
“Oh I’m good, you know. Out and about.” I replied casually.
“Good day for it!” He commented, “Well, here’s a guide. There’s a couple galleries upstairs, and some more down here.” he pointed to his right, indicating the sliding door behind the gift shop area.
“Thanks! I’ll look around. ” And upstairs I went. I walked through an area that look like it was for children. There was a teepee in the corner, and some crayons with paper on small tables. Passing out of it, I came upon the shiny existence of the first animal-inspired exhibit.
There were a couple more exhibits downstairs, abstract of course but I wasn’t allowed to take photos. There was a giant overhead industrial lighting set up; a video of twins drawing, a few tetris-like plastic pieces, and string art formed into a word. There was also another hut like at the Te Papa Museum I’d gone to on Thursday. I almost didn’t even see the sign saying no photos, as it was on the floor, and the art was on the walls. Seriously, why put a warning sign on the ground when people are looking up?? I’m barely 4 and a half feet off the ground and I missed it!
It didn’t take long to go through the museum, it was free entry like most places are around here, and it clearly was relatively new. I took a moment to look through the gift shop area, since I’ve learned that things people sell around here are generally all local artists’ work. I support independent artists when I can, but I didn’t need any stationery, towels, or calendars. There were a few children’s books though, written and published here in NZ. I found two that I particularly liked, and decided Mom could use a couple new books, one she will be able to use in the upcoming month as I do believe she starts her Bear studies (hint hint Mom!!).
Of course, when I paid the clerk commented on my card. I signed the receipt and thanked him, taking my newly acquired paper bag with Mom’s new books. She can yell at me later for buying more books, or maybe she won’t – they’re books for her class so I figure I’m safe getting her those instead of something for her. “When in doubt, go for the class!” It’s my motto.
I sat outside the museum for about a half hour or more, just sitting and watching the kids nearby play in the trees. Birds came by and said hi, and I thought about what I might do the rest of the day. I still had some more to type up, but I also wanted to check the ‘Snapper’ card ( the bus card ) to make sure the balance was enough for my trips tomorrow. That would mean catching Andrew and Lois before the day was over, and who knows what they’re up to! I hadn’t seen them since Thursday morning.
Checking the bus timetables, I saw I had about an hour till the next 83 back to Eastbourne. I walked over to the Queensgate bustop, which was straight ahead and a right turn, then a left on Bunny St. I found myself on a main bus stop street, in front of a Westfield Mall. We have a couple of those at home; I think one’s on Sepulveda and Slauson. By this time I had about 36 minutes to kill. I found myself wandering into the mall. AHHHH. I hate malls.
It was insanely crowded and busy. I hadn’t seen this many people in one spot except for at the bookstore the day before. It was still kind of hard to tell it was Christmas. Things aren’t done up here the way they are at home. There are a couple trees every other store or a snowflake here and there, but that’s about it. I found an electronics store at the top of the reverse escalators. Am I crazy or don’t the escalators at home go up on the right and down on the left? I think I’m starting to get confused – Thank goodness I’m not driving. I’m not dumb, but seriously glad I’m not driving.
I went into Dick Smith’s Electronics and found myself near the apple stuff. I caught a glimpse of a keyboard for iPad. I still have about 12 days left and with all the trouble I had this morning in typing, I decided I could afford a keyboard. I also got a second plug adapter so I could charge my camera and phone/ipad at the same time. Exciting, I know, but this was my day so far. The way I tend to travel is less touristy and more…homey or …local-ish. I’m basically living here for two weeks like I would live at home, with the occasional trip out with random adventures.
A nice youth with a slightly lazy eye helped me get the adapter and rung my charge up. I got to swipe my own card so I was able to avoid another confrontation about my ever-so-fancy card. Making my way back out and away from the crowded place, I discovered I still had another 22 minutes for the bus. Joy.
Promptly I didn’t remember about the rocks I had set aside for my friends until I was more than halfway up the every so steep and long hill. It’s getting easier though. I imagine I’ll have some nice shapely legs, thighs and ass when I return. I haven’t mentioned my green door to the apartment yet have I? There are three steps up and one more into the apartment. I can’t stand on the same level as the door, I have to stand on the level below the door, which puts the lock above my head. I always feel extra short when unlocking the door. I’ll have to take a photo before I leave.
I came in and threw everything on the bed. I proceeded to remind myself I wanted to get the card checked out and grabbed it. I caught my breath and went back out, closing the tall door behind me.
I went up the hill a couple feet and onto the wooden deck entrance to Andrew and Lois’ home. It’s a nice home, spacious. I knocked gently and an unfamiliar face answered the door. I guessed she was a friend of theirs. She called for Andrew and he invited me in.
Several pleasantries later, we’d fixed my card up and I had an invite for Christmas. I’ll be making a sweet potato pie and apparently be meeting their entire family of 12+ people next wednesday. Oh boy. Glad I brought a dress! Though, they’re very informal people, so I imagine I’d have been okay either way.
“How about some tea?” Andrew asked, as they started to show me around their home.
“Sounds good, thank you. ” I said, eyeing their backyard deck area. It was super nice and, as I said, spacious. There were some roses and other plants. An outdoor table set, black metal with white seating. Their house reminded me of some of the English homes you see on British shows. I guess those would be British homes…
Andrew made me some tea, he had a lot to choose from, not surprising. I sat down at the kitchen table. Their cabinets and almost entire kitchen was white tile of sorts with a light wood trim. Very clean, neat and well organized. Books and magazines were sprawled out on the table. Their friend (unfortunately I can’t recall her name) sat in the rocking chair across the table from me. I peered out the sliding door onto the deck as we spoke.
Lots of topics came up, I think I was there for an hour, maybe. We talked about the weather differences, the town differences and all the possible birds I could see. I even talked about kindergarten education with their friend. Andrew and Lois offered to take me around somewhere if I wanted. I’d hate to bug them to do that, but I might do some of their suggestions on Zealandia, and golf. I finished my tea, and conversation, said good day, heading back down to the basement.
“Be sure to tell us how the tour tomorrow goes!” Lois said as I left.
“Oh, that’ll be exciting, WETA. ” Said her friend. They’d both followed me out to the front deck entrance.
“Yep, that’ll be neat, it’s what I do.” I replied.
I am too short for this damn door. I thought as I went in to set up my new keyboard and have another quiet evening before a very long day of LOTR tomorrow.
