Jordan wanted to see some friends before we settle down to work and she finds a good deal on flights so she decides to head to Aus for a quick trip. I opt to stay in New Zealand and sight see (I'm coming for you eventually Aus, but I want a solid month to explore.) We return to Christchurch for her flight. It's been a couple days since our last showers so we meander through town in search of a backpackers hostel we can sneak into. Sadly, because of the earthquake, accommodation options are minimal. As we look around the city, all of Christchurch's young citizens are out and about. It is, after all, a Saturday night. Now I have no problem with being unshowered, unkempt, and generally unattractive, but at that moment I felt like the lowest type of low class. Keep in mind, we just came from Tofino where there is one bar (that's more of a pub) and it's totally acceptable to attend in gumboots and plaid. In Christchurch, EVERYONE is dressed like they belong in a magazine. The girls are wearing glamorous cocktail dresses and high heels, the guys are in dress shirts and trousers and smell of expensive cologne, even the doormen are wearing suits! And here are Jordan and I, in our ripped jackets and toques, unshowered and seeking motel pools in hopes we can sneak into their shower rooms. Needless to say, we receive some looks and never do find those showers.
We drive to the airport and park on a side street to sleep as Jordan has to be up at 4 am to head to her terminal. I drive her to departures and give her a huge huge and return to my spot to catch a couple more hours of sleep. In the morning I walk down the street to McDonalds to use their bathroom and help myself to their wifi and hey, I may as well treat myself to a McD's breakfast! It's been forever.
"Hi, I'll have an Egg McMuffin meal with a coffee."
The girl behind the counter looks perplexed even though this location has its own barista counters with high grade espresso machines and every flavour shot imaginable and this is why:
In New Zealand there is no such thing as drip coffee.
People are fond of instant coffee, (it's actually not bad) there is the occasional coffee plunger, you can get espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, whatever! But just a "coffee" is hard to come by. I read her reaction and immediately correct myself, "Just an Americano."
"I don't think we can do that..."
LIES! I know they can.
"Okay, just an espresso then."
"So... like a short white? A macchiato?" (even though I can clearly see the word 'espresso' on the order board.)
"I just don't want cream or milk in my coffee!" I cry, exasperated (it's early and I am without caffeine.) I shouldn't have such high expectations of McDonalds and this 15 year old girl is obviously new and not privy to the world of coffee options, but it shouldn't be this hard!
"Well... I can get them to make it without milk."
"Yes. Please. That would be great, thank you," I say, relieved.
She spends about 7 minutes voiding my order and re-ringing it through. I'm pretty sure she overcharges me. My coffee arrives and it's full of milk. I drink it anyway.
I get a text from Aileen's daughter, Vanessa, offering to take me site seeing. I google map her address and screenshot the directions and take a deep breath.
Travelling alone doesn't bother me at all, I feel comfortable driving the van and navigating the highways. I feel safe in this country and safer now that I have an itinerary of campsites, but driving through Christchurch scares the bejesus out of me! It's already a huge, spread out city with lots of 1 way streets and traffic, but since the earthquake roads are completely closed, detours are in place and bridges are deemed unstable, not to mention there are huge potholes and ongoing construction. I know Vanessa's street is off Columbo, I know where Columbo is. What I don't anticipate is that my chosen route will not be available for access and that I'll get completely turned around due to detours. I do find my way there in once piece just as Lucinda phones to ask if I've gotten lost.
The girls take me up Deyer's Pass looking down onto Governor's Bay. We can see Lyttelton, Quail Island, all of Christchurch. It's unreal. Lucinda has a lunch to attend, but Vanessa, Neo and even baby Arlo take me out to the container mall (a really cool makeshift mall that has sprung up entirely of containers) as well as the square and some other sites. We stop at the great and historical cathedral, once a grandiose and beloved landmark which now lies half fallen and surrounded by fencing and scaffolds. It's humbling. Vanessa tells me they may not be able to repair it. I imagine what a beautiful city it must have been before all the devastation.
Back at her house we're joined by Lou, Hoff, and Aileen. We order takeout for dinner. I'm so in love with the fact that you can get burgers, fish and chips AND Chinese food at any given take-away restaurant.
Aileen and Ollie offer me their spare room again AND invite me for Christmas.
I don't know how I got so lucky to have this wonderful family in my life, but I am ever grateful for their warmth and hospitality.
And on that note, my solo adventure begins!
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