To The West

So for the past three days it was Jean, Ron, the horses, and me. I rode them, fed them, tacked them, groomed them, and yes, shoveled their crap – the horses that is, not Jean and Ron. Though I grew accustomed to my own room, fresh coffee, and home-cooked meals during my short stay, it was time for me to leave if I was ever going to see the rest of the south island. I’m happy I took the opportunity to stay at Hanmer Horses though – it was a nice break from the redundancy of dorms and saved me money on food and accommodation. I even grew to like Jean and Ron over the time I was there. It was nice to spend a few days in a home atmosphere; and Jean brewed “real” coffee so that shot her to the top of my list.

Jean and I got along well, and I think I liked Ron mostly because he reminded me of my father – not personality-wise per se, except maybe his sarcasm, but in build, features, and mannerisms. I did enjoy our travel story swap sessions, which we shared over the past few days but found his cynicism and lack of enthusiasm rather discouraging. He actually labeled the Great Wall of China “rubbish.” A landmark of such history and distinction should never be labeled rubbish even if it wasn’t as impressive as you’d imagined it. Ron didn’t seem particularly pleased with many or any of the places he’d seen, which encompassed most of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. I did find it inspiring though that disappointment after “bloody” disappointment, from his perspective anyway, he finds the urge to travel again and again. His wanderlust never seems to die with his expectations. Perhaps he’s in search of that perfect, undisturbed, culturally-untarnished haven he can unequivocally label “brilliant.”

Jean and I had a conversation the other day about traveling, and she asked what I’d do when I returned to New York after my travels. I responded that I would be almost 25 after my eight months away and should probably start thinking about heading down a career track. “Oh careers aren’t all they’re cracked up to be,” she said shaking her head. Exactly my sentiments, I thought. “Go out and see the world,” she added. Then she told me about a Dutch family she had met on one of her trips with Ron. A married couple was traveling the world with their four kids in tow. The children didn’t attend school – the parents had taught them to read and write, and they felt that traveling would teach them the skills they’d need to survive in the world. The world was an interactive classroom, if you will. I’ve been thinking about that story a lot lately. Most people would think the couple had a few screws loose, but it really makes you wonder what is in the realm of possibility when it comes to traveling? Is it possible to always keep moving or do you have to stop sometime? And do people only stop because they feel they need to settle down or because they are too weary to go on? We all have instilled ideals as to what course we should follow, but if we never stray from our ideals, will we ever know what else is out there?

I made it to the west coast of the south island today to Hokitika. It was disheartening to leave the finally-blue skies of Hanmer and head towards the gray clouds of Hokitika, but my next few destinations are all on the west coast so I had to be on my way. Since it is now storming and very nearly hailing in Hokitika, I’m basically stranded at the hostel. I’ll just relax today I suppose – I could use a little rest after a few days of manual labor. I booked a jade carving session for the morning and that was all I had really wanted to accomplish in Hokitika anyway so I don’t really mind doing nothing for the day. Sometimes I just enjoy curling up on the couch with a good book when the weather isn’t suitable for anything else.