I am incredibly happy and immensely relieved to have found a decent job. It has been a great first couple months in Wellington, but as time went by the stress levels went up as I had no job offers. I initially had hopes of perhaps getting work on a film production, or in one of the local props workshops or studios here in town, but with few major productions going on there is little work to be had, especially for newbies to the industry like me. I had moments of great doubt when I wondered if I should just cut and run while I still had enough money for a plane ticket home, when the combined appeal of stability, familiarity and the safety net of family and friends was particularly strong. But I had two key things in mind when I came to New Zealand however - to see the country, and to "go creative" - and I new I would be disappointed if I left before doing either.
Now that have a place to live, a job, a fledgling social life, and have re-established skype and email connections with people at home, things are looking much brighter, even if the weather is crap. I have some great friends I have made through couchsurfing that I am still in touch with, and have a rough idea of what the next six months or so might hold, which as much as I can ask for in my current nomadic state of living. I have committed a certain amount of time to my job here, and intend to work long enough to earn some money to see the rest of the country when the weather is friendlier. In the mean time, I am keeping on the creative track by taking an acting class, and have already been an extra in a couple of local films. One film was a vampire/horror movie and I have to say I was rather disappointed when I was told I was going to be portraying a mere human and would miss out on the fun of getting made-up as a vampire.
The pictures in this post are just one part of my catch-up blogging, and there are still more from couchsurfing and around the city. These ones here begin at the home of Carolyn, a help-exchange host extraordinaire (see link on left for info on help-ex), and without whom I would not have been able to make it through my first month here. Organizations like Help-exchange and Coushsurfing are invaluable resources for travelers and I encourage anyone looking for a meaningful travel experience to consider them.
As I said, more pictures of around town are to come. In the mean time...
Carolyn has possibly one of the most well-equipped kitchens I have ever seen in someones house, so we put it to good use...
Below, Rachel, who along with her boyfriend, Sean, were other help-x helpers who where there when I arrived. Next, Carolyn showes us the secrets to a good pavlova.
Some pictures from a good Wellington morning, taken at sunrise at Carolyn's place.
At the pub after our tour of parliament with Mark (left), Andy, and Lucy, fellow help-x helpers also staying at Carolyn's place.
Carolyn's cats never want to miss out on a good lap opportunity, even if it means sharing.
The Beehive - where you will find the office of the prime minister and other parliamentarians.
Dracula! I spent several hours in Carolyn's basement making him looking good (This is the pre-blood-sucking stage of Dracula, hence the rather healthy-looking skin tone).
My House! Sigh, it looks so lovely in the sun... I haven't seen it like that for some time now :(
The rooftops of downtown Wellington as seen from the lounge.
The fireplace - one of the best features of the house. This being a typical Kiwi house, heat leaks out like water from a sieve, so getting the wood stove going is the only way to dry your clothes in less than 3 days.
The Kitchen.
The Cat.
The Backyard. (Well, it's a public park, but it does the trick).
The fern, nearly as iconic in New Zealand as the maple leaf is in Canada.
They take their coffee seriously in this town, it is both a daily necessity and an art form. And very, very good. Even though I am far from being a caffeine addict, I have developed a soft spot for soy lattes at Memphis Bell.
Staying warm by the fire and enjoying roasted apple.
I recently got a nice dose of a great homesickness cure: a local bar had special Canada day celebrations with drink specials, patriotic decorations, costumed staff, Canadian music and plenty of canucks decked out in roots gear. (No that's not a real mountie serving at the bar, he's just dressed like one).
Poutine! Real poutine! I nearly cried for joy.
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