The last week of freedom for now

Hello dear ones,

here I am again and this week there is something to report. I experienced something new again J But let's start from the beginning.

After I was at the City Care company on Monday (8.5) and found out that I will probably start working on Monday, it was clear to me that this would be the last week for me to do something. So I dug out my vacation planning and decided that I would go to Akaroa to spend a few nice days there. Since I had already looked up everything, accommodation and activities, I started to write to them to ask for availability. Unfortunately, it turned out that no one besides me was interested in stand up paddling in the dark or a sea kayaking tour. So I posted on Facebook if anyone had interest in joining me, but unfortunately no one responded. So I abandoned the plan and told myself that I can still do it in the spring when I start traveling.

On Tuesday, since I was depressed that my plan didn't work out, I didn't do anything. Well, sometimes you have to. In the evening, I unexpectedly heard from an acquaintance who is also traveling around the South Island and has just arrived in Christchurch. She and her companion would like to go to Akaroa for a day trip and then camp in the car. So I spontaneously joined the two of them, although we didn't do the activities that I had planned, but I'm glad I went along.

On Wednesday (10.5) we left early and took the scenic mountain route. Even the fog couldn't change that. It was great to drive through the mountainous landscape when we were above the fog, as everything felt so quiet and a little enchanted. After three hours of driving, we arrived in Akaroa and after a short trip to the tourist office, Sarah and I set off for a hike while Mona strolled through the town. I found the hike really exhausting because it was steep uphill at the beginning and then slowly downhill across a meadow. It was a shame that it was really hazy and therefore there was no nice view. That's why we lacked a bit of motivation for a second hike, plus the fact that we would have had to wait in a river for a while... Nope, we'd rather go back to the city and take a walk there. Along the water to the lighthouse and then through the cemetery and through the forest back to the city. We warmed up in a café that had a free seat right by the fireplace, which we grabbed. I was even so cold that I had a tea... and it was really delicious.

After that, we went back to the car and headed to the campsite. For me, it was the biggest adventure of the day, as it was my first trip to a New Zealand campsite. We arrived at around 6 p.m. and it was already pitch dark. Armed with flashlights, we opened the trunk and unfolded the kitchen. Sarah and Mona actually drive a car that is much more converted than mine and also has the luxury of a small kitchen. We cooked vegetable rice stir-fry, which was really delicious. Compliment to the chefs. I participated by holding a flashlight. We ate at a camping table with a self-made lamp. Then everything was packed back into the car and we changed clothes at the car. Since it was already pitch dark anyway, no one could see us. And then we set up the bed. I wore my ski underwear, sweatpants, t-shirt, fleece sweater, knee-high socks, and cozy socks, and covered myself with two sleeping bags to withstand 10 degrees Celsius outside. It wasn't the best sleep I've ever had, but I slept better than I had feared and woke up the next morning without frostbite. I didn't want to get out of my pajamas, but that was okay too, as we were driven directly to me from the campsite, had breakfast there, and washed the dishes before the two of them set off again. It was quite an adventure, but I'm glad I went along and spent my first night in such a well-equipped car with two such experienced car sleepers.

I spent the rest of Thursday doing normal things like laundry and pre-cooking food for the next few weeks (pumpkin was on sale).

On Friday morning, I received a message from my new job asking me to come to the introductory event at noon. It was really unspectacular but it's paid. I start my new job on Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. Woo-hoo. But I still don't know exactly what I'm doing. At 4 p.m., I went to work in the bar because my boss got married that day. The party took place in our bar, alongside the normal bar operations. A really unusual party, I think, but it was still cool. Accordingly, it was very busy and we were busy running around.

Yesterday (Saturday 13.5) I spent a relaxing day until my colleague asked if I could start earlier because it was so busy. The local rugby team had a home game, which all my roommates also went to, and it was correspondingly busy. I thought it was cool that all my roommates came to us before and after the game. But unfortunately, there was so much to do that I didn't have time to sit down with them for a moment.

And that was it again. I'm curious to see what I can report from my work next week. Until then

Jessi