Finally feeling more at home in NZ

Hello again!

I am back on the blog. My last big post was from Sydney, and I posted a few pictures earlier. If you haven't heard, getting into NZ caused some trouble for me. I arrived to ice, a passing hail storm, and rainy weather. While going through customs I was stopped by the immigration department for not having a work visa. I explained I had spoken to the embassy before leaving the US, and since wwoofing was not paid work, and I was staying under 90 days, I would not need a visa. Apparently wwoofing is still "paying" you w/ food and shelter, so I now have only a 3 week visa to stay in NZ until I get this sorted out. I am writing this blog from Wellington, rather than Otaki, because I am here to apply and get the work visa. Thankfully we know someone in Wellington who has taken me in for a few days. Because customs took so long at the airport, they took my luggage off the lane, and I went through a whole process to find it. After that I struggled for almost an hour trying to get my new sim card and international phone working. By the time I left the airport, got on the bus to the train, and the train to Otaki, I had been traveling in almost all modes of transportation for 24 hours. It was exhausting.

I arrived in Waikainai on the train, Ron picked me up, we had dinner, and I got my bedding, & went to bed. There were 2 other girl wwoofers there just out of college from Wisconsin. They had only been there a couple days, and we all picked up quickly Ron's strange habits. He gets extremely frustrated if you tap silverware or make noise with cooking materials. If you forget to take your shoes off before coming inside or forgetting to turn a light off after leaving a room that is also very bad. Certain things are hand washed while others go in the dishwasher. He got on me about rinsing the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher because that was a waste of water. However, I noticed when you leave certain remains that stick to the plate, the plates do not come out of the dishwasher completely clean. He expects everyone to be exactly on time for breakfast, tea, lunch, and dinner...and if you are a minute or two late he assumes you are not interested. He tests you on the rules or permaculture (1. look after the planet 2. look after each other 3. fair share). He only wants you to take showers every 3-4 days to save water, and wash clothes rarely.

I was only there 2 nights and less than 3 days, but I already picked up on many things. He hung everything to dry on clotheslines rather than using the energy, collects rain water rather than using more energy through the faucet, recycles plastic and paper (but there is very little of that), we pee outside, and use a composting toilet. If there is a tissue we brush it under a tree for it to de-compost. Also, look out for the smaller trees that look like they need more fertilizer...and pee on those. We bike into town, eat what is grown, and the only bought foods in the house are rice and pasta. I had granola with milk that was in a powdered form. He reuses bags, has multiple compost piles for any peels or leftover food, eats the eggs his chickens produce, and feed their shells back to them for nutrients they need. He replants the avocado pits for more trees, has lots of firewood, and sells feijoas (a fruit native to NZ).

 He has 14 acres, it is beautiful, and overall Ron is a nice man. However, he lives alone, is very difficult to make conversation with, and tells jokes that you have no idea is a joke. It was hard feeling on edge that something you did would bother him, so I am trying to move on rather than going back to Otaki.

Now I am in Wellington, and tomorrow will try to turn in my work visa application, and find out my next plans for wwoofing. I hope other hosts will create a more homelike feeling, because Ron was beginning to make me question my trip to NZ. However, the family here in Wellington has made me feel great, and if I were lucky enough to have things continue like this I would have an amazing 3 months. We will see!

Lastly, they use hot water pads for heating their beds at night. I found this interesting. Here they are called, "hotties" and I slept with one at Ron's. Now I am spoiled in Wellington because they turn on an electric blanket so the bed is warm before you get in. You turn it off before going to sleep.

This is long...but hopefully not too boring. I'll update more later. Enjoy...