Just go, C!
I'm Charity, a proud auntie, wine lover, semi-nerd, and dreamer who can't stay in one place for too long.
"You told me about nowhere, well it sounds like someplace I'd like to go..." --Modest Mouse I have been thinking about a conversation with a gal back in New Zealand whom I'd just met. We were reflecting on our time in the country, talking about the places we'd visited, etc. I don't remember the exact details of the conversation, but one of the big hiking tracks was brought up. She'd asked if I'd hiked it, and I said no, I was more into the shorter day hikes. I was also not really into the whole pooping in the woods thing. She said, "Wow, you really missed out!"
My first thought was, "Well shit, somehow I still managed to have a good time, not sure how that happened? AND I was able to use modern plumbing?" Yes, I know that was a defensive reaction. But I've given a lot of thought to what she said. Did I miss something epic by not doing one of those multi-day hikes? I think the answer is yes. And, no. The thing is, she was speaking entirely from her perspective. She obviously enjoys being completely detached from civilization for days at a time, fully immersing herself in nature. And who knows, maybe she gets a little kick out of pooping in the woods. Who am I to judge? If I had done one of those hikes, I'm sure I would have gotten something out of being in nature (as well as gotten something into it, if you know what I mean) and probably would have enjoyed myself, ultimately. However, I think we all have our traveling/vacationing preferences that we tend to gravitate toward for whatever reasons, and my "thing" just happens to be road trips. I started loving road trips when I was in college when I would drive back home during weekends or holidays. I would often take different routes to get there and/or back, trying to see as much different scenery as one possibly can in Iowa. The biggest and best road trip of my life, my drive from Omaha to San Diego to Arizona to Cincinnati to Tupelo, Mississippi, seriously changed something in me, and I think really ignited my love for traveling in general. I never get tired of it. I am one of those weirdos who would rather drive than fly somewhere if given a choice. When I'm on the road, I am free. I can stop as often or as little as I'd like, and I can sing at the top of my lungs to every song on my playlist from Alabama Shakes to Zeppelin, and all sorts of guilty pleasures in between (I'm looking at you, Journey). I laugh out loud at my own stupid joke-thoughts and funny memories. (you guys miss out on some of my best material, I assure you) And, I enjoy some of the most quiet and profound introspective time. No one knows me on the road. No one expects anything of me nor expects me to be anyone in particular. A few local Aussies thought I was a little off when I told them I was going to be driving to Perth instead of flying. "Aww there's nothing to see out there! That's a long, boring drive!" Then they started mumbling something about Vegemite and Paul Hogan. Of course I drove anyway, and I have to say that from MY perspective, it was some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen in my life. There's something really appealing to me about lands that are virtually untouched by humans. And, the stars have never looked more beautiful out there in the open like that. So you see, we're all "missing out" from someone else's point of view, and that's just a reality of life. You might as well take the journey YOU want to take and enjoy it in only the way that YOU can. No one else will ever see it the way you do. Here are some images from my road trip through Southern and Western Australia:
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Ah, New Zealand, how do I love thee - let me count the ways.
Here are some of my favorite uniquely Kiwi expressions, experiences, etc. 1. The accent (of course) I like to say that the Kiwis say their vowels with a smile on their faces. Examples: Yes = yiss Bread = breed Breakfast = breekfist Deck = dick 2. The expressions/sayings Examples: "Sweet as!" meaning awesome or cool "Choice" meaning awesome or cool "That's it!" meaning exactly right or correct "What's on in Wellington" meaning "current events in Wellington" "No worries" or "That's alright" meaning you're welcome "For Hire" meaning "For Rent" which applies to everything non-human, as well - cars for hire, costumes for hire, towels for hire "Crisps" meaning potato chips "Biscuits" meaning cookies "Chips" meaning fries "Takeaways" meaning to-go food or fast food Any New Zealand based web site ends in .co.nz which is said as, "dot co-ah dot in-zed" All the radio commercials, mostly because of the accent. My favorite one was for Rebel Sport which sells athletic equipment: "SHOP REEEBLE SPOHT!!!" (I would be just delighted to do this impression in person for you sometime, as well) Other things I'll miss:
What I won't miss:
Hope you enjoyed some of my most favorite things and are inspired to come visit Kiwi land for yourself someday! |
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AuthorHi! I'm Charity. I'm from Omaha, Nebraska, USA. I quit my job in October 2016 to travel the world. Archives
June 2022
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