Brawling and Banging

I headed down to the Wai-O-Tapu thermal reserve for a look around yesterday afternoon. The reserve, which has the largest area of surface thermal activity, boasts New Zealand’s most colorful and diverse volcanic area. It should also boast the worst smelling volcanic area. My eyes watered during the entire hour walk from the rotten egg smell hovering in the air. The scenery was terrific though, and I can attest to the spectrum of colors represented at the reserve from burnt orange to mint green. There weren’t many people, which was nice because I didn’t have to fight for trail space, and it gave me time to observe the nature around me. I’d forgotten how much I like hiking, I haven’t been on a backpacking trip with my father in a long time, and how much I enjoy that sense of accomplishment when you reach the end. Though it was a short hike, it wound all the way around the park and provided for optimal viewing of each of the different thermal activities. I took a ton of pictures on the way including ones of myself in front of mud pools and sulphuric craters. Sometimes I think it’s funny to take pictures of myself holding the camera at arms’ length. It looks like I’ve superimposed my head on a background scene.

After the thermal reserve, I headed to the supermarket to pick up some food for the rest of the week. When I used to shop at home, I’d zip through at a rapid pace and throw things into my cart as I went. I somewhat enjoy shopping in foreign countries because all the products are so foreign and new to me; but I usually end up placing a ton of stuff in my cart because it intrigues me at the time only to leave it at the check-out saying “I’ve changed my mind.” The thing is, I probably stood in the aisle for at least 5 minutes reading the descriptions of each of the products and the nutritional information deciding which one to go with. In the future I have to overcome my urge to impulse buy. It’d make for a much more efficient shopping trip.

I have to say that I really dislike the other lodgers at my hostel, barring the German, Franz, surprisingly. There are these 3 girls and all they do is cook and eat – very loudly – all day long, and unfortunately my room is right across from the kitchen. I think I’ve only been in the kitchen once without them being there, and that was only because I was passing through to go downstairs. They woke me up yesterday morning with their chattering and pot banging. I tried to stay asleep but it went on for an hour – honestly, how long does it take to make breakfast? And can’t they take turns at least to cut down on the noise – do all 3 of them have to cook at the same time?

I decided to take a walk through town before dinner last night, seeing as I had just eaten my usual Special K and fruit lunch, but Rotorua was absolutely dead. There were a handful of teenagers skateboarding at the City Focus building, but otherwise there was hardly a soul around. I’m thinking there’s a lull at certain times and it will liven up at night. I hope so – if this is what it’s like on a Saturday night, I wonder what the rest of the week looks like.

I decided to have a drink at the Pig & Whistle and possibly some dinner. I thought it was odd that there were no seats at the bar so patrons had to constantly get up from their tables to get a drink, but I guess the bartenders don’t work off tips so they could care less about socializing with the customers and making sure their drinks are topped off. I’m sure they don’t care if there’s a single person in the place – they still get paid. As long as they keep busy wiping the bar, which they did constantly spraying cleaner in every direction, and straightening glasses, they’ve done their day’s work.

Last night I headed to the Lava Bar with Franz, a bar that’s attached to one f the backpacking establishments in town. It was like a typical college bar, just with an international clientele. As the bar started to get crowded, the customers started to get drunker, and I decided it was time to leave. I was tired of being knocked into by screaming 18 year-old girls, who are allowed to drink in New Zealand, racing toward the dance floor, so I made my exit.

I was woken up again this morning by the rattling in the kitchen, but thankfully I think this was the 3 girls’ last morning here. Even more annoying, I was woken up at 3:45 in the morning by a brawling couple who apparently had drank too much Midori and Sprite. It went on for hours with banging and screaming. Just when I thought things were calming down, I’d hear a chair being thrown against the kitchen table. I thought about venturing out of my room to break up the fight or at least plead with them to be quieter, but I didn’t want to get punched in the process. Besides my bed was so cozy and warm. And I only learned this morning that it was a couple. I had thought it was 2 men, in which case I really didn’t want to be in the middle. I found out from Theresa, the proprietor, this morning that they were in their mid-40’s. You’d think they’d learn to control themselves by that age, but I guess some people never do. I’m hoping tonight I can actually get a full night’s rest uninterrupted by brawling and banging.