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Chaos and Luck


Sawyer and I (kind of gladly) left the family in the Far North; the kids were cute yet rebellious and the parenting style made us a little uncomfortable. After WWOOFing plans were switched around, we really had no plan. In a span of four days we ended up landing at three different hostels, coincidentally seeing the same German at two of them and on the Tongariro crossing, going white water rafting, examining sulphuric geysers and geothermal mud pools, sleeping on a bed of ferns, catching four different rides while hitchhiking, and meeting a hell of a lot of people along the way.

None of our adventures we had planned more than 12 hours in advance. I name this chaos and luck because, while living a spontaneous few days, we were extremely lucky that we got beds in these hostels day-of, waited no longer than ten minutes while hitchhiking, and all the while arriving safe and [almost] fed at each destination.

Although amidst my job search right now it doesn't feel like it, God has been taking care of us so well up to where we are now, which is Hastings, Bay of Plenty, NZ.

The Rotten Apple Hostel attracts the eccentrics I'd say, and is honestly in dire need of a renovation. However it's ideal location and connection to area employers is the draw.

I'm impatient and spoiled because of my job back home, having only been here two nights and already getting frustrated that job prospects aren't quicker to come by. Opportunities are plentiful, just the process is long. Sawyer and I have been taking steps each day towards a job, which is encouraging, and we go tomorrow to apply for the job we will most likely have for the next six weeks: blueberry picking. Not ideal, but it's a job.

Here, Sawyer and I might even be considered short term; Scottish Paul has been here for 16 months, and often people stay here for 3 weeks to a month without work, still having to pay rent. If it were me I'd get out; six weeks will be plenty. Things could still change; we might move to a hostel in the neighboring town which also has plenty of jobs. Check out the "Random" tab on my blog for smaller in depth stories about what we've done!

(The wifi here sucks so I will upload photos tomorrow)

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