Cold and Hungry

I tried to go hiking yesterday on some of Rotorua’s trails, but ended up walking in circles for an hour. I still got an hour of exercise, which was my main goal, but it would have been nice to see something other than the same scenery over and over again. They don’t seem to keep up their trails very well in Rotorua because I saw one, only one, trail marker the entire time I was walking. I did see it five times, but it was the same one. My other option would have been to drive to The Redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest, but that was too much effort, and I wasn’t in the mood to drive anywhere anyway.

For dinner, I went to Indian Star Restaurant because I was in the mood for Indian food. It usually doesn’t settle well in my stomach, but I always enjoy it while I’m eating it. Since I hadn’t eaten lunch, I left my hostel around 4:30pm thinking I would grab an early dinner. When I got into town 5 minutes later, I realized all of the restaurants close between lunch and dinner and don’t re-open until 5pm, so I had to occupy myself in town for 25 minutes. I presented myself promptly at 5pm at Indian Star and had the entire place to myself. I didn’t mind being their only customer, I was just happy to be out of the cold. I have been perpetually freezing in New Zealand. I saw people in shorts and t-shirts on my way into town. Are they crazy? Maybe it’s just me that’s cold all of the time, but I was dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and a jacket, and I was still chilly. The only time I’m not cold is when I take my daily steaming-hot shower, but then it’s right back to my freezing room. I’m kind of looking forward to Australia – even if there is a hole in the ozone over the country – at least I’ll be toasty-warm all of the time.

I arrived in Turing today. The town itself is dead, I had a hard time finding lunch at 2:30, but I really like my hostel. I have a 4-person room all to myself, and after depositing my bags, I wondered how 4 people would even fit. Maybe it’s because the baggage I lug around equals what 4 would have. I signed up to do the Tongariro Crossing tomorrow, weather permitting. I’m hoping the weather is agreeable because that hike was one of my main goals in New Zealand.

I went for an hour walk today along the river with a friend I met here at the hostel. We walked the owners’ dogs, which was funny because I’m not particularly fond of dogs, but they kept their distance and didn’t lick me so we got along fine. I was mainly trying to get some exercise in today, in preparation for tomorrow, so I don’t completely shock my body with a rigorous hike. When I got back from the hike, I received upsetting family news via email, so I’m probably just going to lay low tonight at my hostel and turn in early because I have to be up at 6am in the morning.