Same coffee shop as the last post…there is rugby on the tv…England vs. Ireland. I’m slowly getting the hang of how the game is played and what the rules are in this tough man sport. They have some big dudes on the field/pitch..idk what they call it. I am determined to see a rugby match down under before my trip ends.

So…” Why did I sign up to work on my holiday” is a question I asked myself several times during the workday over the past two weeks. I knew that I would be working like ca country boy on a farm, but when it gets hot during the middle of the day…and I’m running a chainsaw for hours and getting eaten alive by sand flies and scratched with briars left and right….in exchange for some sub-par, odd, unseasoned meals and free accommodation in a broken down bus that leaks on my bed when it rains and doesn’t keep in heat…and no pay…..then what in the world am I doing this for on my vacation lol…when the work gets tough and you are basically just chopping wood to keep a stranger warm through the winter…it is hard to see the value in what I am getting out of this….

Those are some of the thoughts I have had during this work exchange…but then the work day ends and I get to walk down to the river and realize that I am in paradise staying for free. I am learning kiwi values from an old kiwi. I am getting to see a new perspective on how people live..perspective on what “off the grid living” means…I am learning different types of knots…I’m learning that it is possible to do without so many of things that we “depend on”…..Life can be extremely simple…that doesn’t mean it will be easy work though…you have to sweat to live like this…I appreciate the little luxuries in my life….this living also allows you to appreciate so many of the natural little things in life…I’ve learned how to operate an excavator…I’m learning that the news cares probably too much about what we have going on in America. Al is a retired mechanic so I’m learning how to fix all kinds of things on a vehicle….I had to learn stick in this beat up Mitsubishi the first day and boy I better learn quick or this man will be pissed. He’s a funny guy to work for….he’s got stuff all scattered in the woods and in the shop and he knows exactly where everything is and if something is not where it's supposed to be you will hear about it…don’t rev the truck past a certain rpm but also don’t ride the brake so much…better release that clutch like you are supposed to…..don’t scream the chainsaw but don’t let it run slow and get stuck….he pays attention to me like a hawk. I have had to focus intensely on directions and when he shows you something sometimes only once…you better get it right. But why do I care what this guy thinks…I can pack up my bag right now and go see that glacier and then go have a nice cocktail in town and enjoy myself. But I keep my head down and just do what I’m told…because…I guess I want to learn more…or maybe its punishment in a way for something I’ve done in the past…maybe I’m putting in the hours to appreciate this country..and the opportunity I have with this trip….

I mean I have saved a lot of money so far and immersed myself in the South Island of New Zealand. I am itching to see more out there though. I am ready for a few nights in a normal bed lol. It’s been a great experience but I need some new scenery. Our last work day is tomorrow. I’m sure we will take down every last of the pine trees.

We have been practicing after dinner this week for an open mic that Al and his friend organized. Sarah and Al will sing a couple Abba songs…I’ll sing a Jim Croce song. Al and his buddy will sing several more songs…and then anybody can come up. Al takes this very seriously so we can’t let him down….I tried to get him to name the three of us “The ding-a-lings” but he shot that down quickly and we are now The Rubber Band. That’s cool too. I’ll send videos after we are finished. I am pretty excited to watch this unfold. Great memories are being made. No complaints…this is all part of the adventure and experience….”cool bananas”

Sarah and I found a one minute clip of when Al ran for Mayor of the entire lake council..including Queenstown…He had one minute to prove why people should vote for him….

Q: “Why are you a better candidate than…?”

A: “1 I’m honest, 2 I’m better looking, and the 2nd confirms the first!”