On the Road Again

Well, it's been 5 months settled in sunny (save for the past few weeks of dreary rain) Hawke's Bay and now we're on the road again.  Reminds me of the line in  "Freebird" ( which we introduced to some of our NZ friends for the first time a few weeks ago and which came on at the apple pack house just last week--after listening to island hymns for WAY too long): "For I must be traveling on now, cause there's too many places I've got to see." 

As John and I look forward to the many adventures ahead of us, we're taking this time to reflect back on our experience over the past 5 months, as it has been memorable and meaningful in its own right. We didn't expect to settle in Hawke's Bay--our sights in the beginning were set on Wellington. However, I think it's safe to say we are both so glad we ended up settling where we did, because in the end we created some great, and hopefully life-long friendships that will give us a permanent tie to New Zealand. 

I'll start with my QC buddies at good ol' ENZA Pak. Working at an apple pack house was . . . . interesting. I learned a lot about apples and bugs and rules and regulations that weren't always followed,  and was able to hone my penmanship and form-filling out skills. That's a bit of a sarcastic summary, but indeed it was a learning experience that I couldn't have gotten through without my QC friends and supervisor, as together we fended off unwarranted accusations and criticism while together we struggled to find the logic that didn't exist in the management of the place while bonding over shared incredulity that we were somehow able to actually be semi-productive everyday. I'll have to start by thanking Ellie and Naome, the other lady QCs, for first and foremost introducing some much-needed estrogen into my life and for also keeping things light and fun. I'll remember Grahame for his ability, with a quick flick of his British wit, to bring us all to laughter and for reminding me whenever I got worked up that it didn't matter--it was just apples. I'll cherish my buddy Ian, my partner in crime, whose dogmatic, fight-because-you-know-you're-right attitude reminded me a lot of myself, who always had a story for every situation, and who defended us all until he was blue in the face. And Walter, my pal Walter, whose perfectly laid-back, it's-all-good attitude was exactly what I needed from time to time to bring me back down when I got worked up, who constantly supported and encouraged me, taught me a lot more about New Zealand, and who wrote me one of the best/kindest reference letters I have ever received that I will have to use with every job I apply for. And finally my supervisor Susie, I have to thank her for her vigorous defense of her QCs, for always showing appreciation for our hard work, intelligence, and initiative to improve upon the system, for baking a delicious chocolate cake, and for showing us empathy even when she wasn't receiving it herself (stay strong, Susie!). It was a pleasure to work with all of you.

As for John, the day we walked into Elephant Hill to deliver our CVs I remember thinking it was such a fancy place, we didn't have a shot to work there--but indeed, John was hired and ended up making himself a nice little niche, a valued employee (!? :o) ), and also some great friendships. He will miss all the kitchen guys (and girls), their wildly inappropriate conversations, trading jabs and jokes, snacking on their delicious food, and "Gleeeeeeen!" 

He thanks Matt for graciously sharing his knowledge of wine and Michelle for graciously sharing her figs and fejoas from her garden. He thanks Jet  (and her husband) for the wonderful dinner she made us on one of our last nights, for being such a great co-worker, and for all her support of our travels. He will remember Robert for limping around and trying to help. But in all seriousness, we can't think Robert enough for offering John such a great position that added so much to our experience (and gave me a social life). The reference letter you wrote him was equally kind, touching, and a testament to the fact that John and I indeed found a little home Hawke's Bay. As for Laura, Dan, Nichola, and Carl--we will sorely miss the fantastic dinner parties, the delicious wine, and most of all your company. But we will be back at the end of our travels to once again re-unite with our great friends in Hawke's Bay and we will be sure not to miss the wedding on Dan and Laura next April! Wherever we are in the world, we will make it back. 

And so, farewell Hawke's Bay--you were awfully good to a pair of crazy American tourists, and you made us feel like we belonged. But for now, the thrill of adventure beckons us to new places. We are excited to see what's in store for us next!