Howdy Y'all,
A couple people after seeing a few pictures wanted to know more about my time on the Abel Tasman. So what I'm gonna do is take the passages from my journal and put Em here and see if it makes for a good read- right before I left for the Abel Tasman I was hosted by a super nice guy named Dave- he used to work for DOC(the department of conservation- the people in charge of many outdoors things including the Abel Tasman) and can do the Abel Tasman in his sleep most likely-
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3-11-13 20:43 Abel Tasman Night 1 (54) Bark Bay (M)
1 of 3 things is true. 1: Dave underestimated the weight of my pack. 2: Dave over estimated my ability as a hiker. Or 3- Dave is a dirty liar. The "5 hour" hike from Marahau(Mar-aw-hoe) took 9. But it was totally worth it. Bark Bay is legit. I met two really fun people here. Chris (American) and Anna (Norwegian) are two really nice people and Anna, after seeing my hammock, asked politely to sit in it, and then to sleep in it. So we have all become friends quickly. I knew Chris was my kinda backpacker when he pulled out a bottle of wine from his pack and offered me some! Dinner was AMAZING.( Uncle bens rice w/ canned chicken.) Especially after a long day. Little proud of myself- parts of me wanted to stop at the last camp ground. My pack might be heavy- but my nights are nice :) Gonna go read Matt Lamberts email now! Sore, tired, headache- but full and with good people.... Happy
3-12-13 20:51 Abel Tasman Night 2 (55) Awaroa (T)
Great morning, said bye to Chris and Anna, got a pretty late start. The suck started way to early today. A steep long climb 1/2 hour away from Bark Bay. Stopped on a bench and who do I see but Alex! A friendly Belgium guy, my age, good ish English. We met yesterday at lunch at Anchorage Bay, and today we had lunch together at Onetahuti(on-ah-tah-hoot-ee). Nice guy going the same direction- not same pace but I catch him at each stop. Today after a really rough start I learned I need to be more positive- usually never a problem for me. Man it was a slow day though. I got a lot o encouragement on the trail today. Never like people saying "you got this bro", but instead I was encouraged by seeing others going opposite me- for some reason it helps. Especially tonight when a group of 20 kids and 4 teachers rolled ino the hut. The adults with them are very nice and hey- if kids can get from Mutton Cove to here in a day- surely I can do the reverse! Early morning start tomorrow- if we don't hit the tidal crossing at 7 we will be stuck here for 12 hours!! Read Kate and Gingers email tonight. Such a long day- great way to end it though- nice people at the campsite- emails from home- warm soup simmering now. Gonna sleep hard tonight.
3-13-13 17:52 Abel Tasman Afternoon 3 (56) Mutton Cove!!! (W)
Today could literally be the best day of my life. I'm at Mutton Cove!!! This'll be my last night on the Abel Tasman- 50 kilometers and change so far- a couple hours hike tomorrow and I'm all done. Not only that- but while in Totaranui(random village along the track) I got a shower! Put on clean clothes! And very randomly got wifi from the DOC office. Found out my work visa for Australia was approved! Aaaand that Stephen Merritt dedicated a song to me at Search called "Dude I totally miss you"- seriously made me smile so much. Mac and cheese and chicken soup- mixed together- was awesome for lunch. Me and the Canadian guy who's name I never understood are being bros right now. Sharing food and being proud in our accomplishment. Awaroa to Mutton Cove- a good day. Beautiful cove- writing on the beach- full stomach. Dog tired. And happy.
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After I woke up it was a small hike to the finish. A hitch later and I'm in collingwood- the most north you can go on South Island pretty much. Stayed in a cheap- but very nice...ish camp ground.
That's pretty much the main story of the Abel Tasman. Lot of fun and would suggest it to anybody. Lot of great views- pictures do none of it justice. I just loaded up with more food and fuel- about to hit up another trek and start it all over again. I love this life. It's hard at times no doubt. Sometimes I get pretty rough at myself for being not as positive as I should- kinda vicious cycle really. I find that the grind hits my spirit before it hits my back- if I stay positive I know I can do more.
I find myself often thinking of Sir Ernest Shackletons personal motto:
"By endurance we conquer."
Y'all take care, I've got another track to do!
Steve
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
That Time I Got Kicked Off a Farm
It's been a whole since my last post and for that I apologize. Thing were pretty hectic for a minute there but luckily things are under control now!
How the hectic started: so there I was. New Plymouth, New Zealand. Hanging out with my good buddy Jack Henderson who I met in the states last year via CouchSurfing. Long story short- we had a great weekend together and then I went on to my next farm location.
So this farm was being run by the most conservative family I have ever met. Backstory- I am from Mississippi- been Christian for a long time- conservative family- homeschooled till I was 13- went to University in Alabama- have spent a huge majority of my life in the "Bible Belt". These people were way more conservative than I am used to. Part of the reason I asked to stay with them was because in their farm profile it said "Christian Family" and I thought it would be nice to be surrounded by Christians. Because recently my places have not been so I thought it would be refreshing. They were very nice people and the kids were lovely!! Such nice kids! At least the 7 that I got to meet. Oh yeah- they have 11 children... So- I did loads of chainsaw work for them. Like- a ton of chainsaw work. 3 solid days worth. Nothing but. Good work too. So I'm pretty sure I messed up and essentially got myself kicked out when........
We were playing risk. Gathered around the board game. When the son(Johnny)(the rest of the kids were girls) asked me who the tattoo on my left deltoid is for. I told him it was for Tino(if you don't know the story of Tino I will fill you in later if you'd like)- a buddy of mine who is no longer with us. He said "I'm sorry" and then we kept playing the game. As soon as Johnny asked about my tattoo I saw the look on the other kids faces. The "sweet Johnny broke the ice on asking Steve about his tattoos" look. And the questions starting poring in. "Why'd you get that tattoo?"..."do other people like it?"... "Aren't you afraid of what it'll look like when you're older".... For a few minutes. I responded patiently knowing that they were young kids. (I think Johnny was the youngest at the table at about 12-13.) And right when, for the first time, I was getting tired of defending my tattoos it happened. The question I've heard before and always responded the same way: "the Bible says Christians shouldn't have tattoos" and I replied "Yeah but 4 verses later it says we should stone homosexuals"....
.....
So. Johnny says "oh" and we get back to risk. Two minutes pass. Two. Very uncomfortable. Long. Minutes.
Johnny, "What's a homosexual?"
.......
Me,"a gay person..."
Johnny, "what's gay?"
Me panicking. Realizing I have said WAAAAAY to much, "I'm not sure I should be the one to talk to you about that...."
I waited till the dad got home- told him straight away that his son will most likely be asking him about homosexuality... Just a heads up.
So, that was on Wednesday night. Friday morning I was supposed to go up Mount Taranaki and come back Saturday afternoon and spend a few more days there. Thursday night at dinner the dad pretty much says "Hey Steve, you're going up the mount tomorrow right?" "Right" "how's about you just don't come back."
So I got asked to leave 3 days earlier than I had planned and they didn't share their Internet so it was pretty rough finding a place to stay for a little bit.
That story ended up being way longer than I planned. After that Me and Klara(who I will describe in detail on my next post) stayed with Jack again before starting to head south!
So later I'll post about my most recent adventure on the Abel Tasman Track. I hope none of you respect me less after that story!
How the hectic started: so there I was. New Plymouth, New Zealand. Hanging out with my good buddy Jack Henderson who I met in the states last year via CouchSurfing. Long story short- we had a great weekend together and then I went on to my next farm location.
So this farm was being run by the most conservative family I have ever met. Backstory- I am from Mississippi- been Christian for a long time- conservative family- homeschooled till I was 13- went to University in Alabama- have spent a huge majority of my life in the "Bible Belt". These people were way more conservative than I am used to. Part of the reason I asked to stay with them was because in their farm profile it said "Christian Family" and I thought it would be nice to be surrounded by Christians. Because recently my places have not been so I thought it would be refreshing. They were very nice people and the kids were lovely!! Such nice kids! At least the 7 that I got to meet. Oh yeah- they have 11 children... So- I did loads of chainsaw work for them. Like- a ton of chainsaw work. 3 solid days worth. Nothing but. Good work too. So I'm pretty sure I messed up and essentially got myself kicked out when........
We were playing risk. Gathered around the board game. When the son(Johnny)(the rest of the kids were girls) asked me who the tattoo on my left deltoid is for. I told him it was for Tino(if you don't know the story of Tino I will fill you in later if you'd like)- a buddy of mine who is no longer with us. He said "I'm sorry" and then we kept playing the game. As soon as Johnny asked about my tattoo I saw the look on the other kids faces. The "sweet Johnny broke the ice on asking Steve about his tattoos" look. And the questions starting poring in. "Why'd you get that tattoo?"..."do other people like it?"... "Aren't you afraid of what it'll look like when you're older".... For a few minutes. I responded patiently knowing that they were young kids. (I think Johnny was the youngest at the table at about 12-13.) And right when, for the first time, I was getting tired of defending my tattoos it happened. The question I've heard before and always responded the same way: "the Bible says Christians shouldn't have tattoos" and I replied "Yeah but 4 verses later it says we should stone homosexuals"....
.....
So. Johnny says "oh" and we get back to risk. Two minutes pass. Two. Very uncomfortable. Long. Minutes.
Johnny, "What's a homosexual?"
.......
Me,"a gay person..."
Johnny, "what's gay?"
Me panicking. Realizing I have said WAAAAAY to much, "I'm not sure I should be the one to talk to you about that...."
I waited till the dad got home- told him straight away that his son will most likely be asking him about homosexuality... Just a heads up.
So, that was on Wednesday night. Friday morning I was supposed to go up Mount Taranaki and come back Saturday afternoon and spend a few more days there. Thursday night at dinner the dad pretty much says "Hey Steve, you're going up the mount tomorrow right?" "Right" "how's about you just don't come back."
So I got asked to leave 3 days earlier than I had planned and they didn't share their Internet so it was pretty rough finding a place to stay for a little bit.
That story ended up being way longer than I planned. After that Me and Klara(who I will describe in detail on my next post) stayed with Jack again before starting to head south!
So later I'll post about my most recent adventure on the Abel Tasman Track. I hope none of you respect me less after that story!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Your Questions So Far
First off I would like to thank each of you for your emails, for reading the blog, and for keeping in touch! Keep the emails coming or send your first- it's great hearing from y'all. I've been getting a lot of questions and I wanted to take a second and answer a couple frequently asked ones. You can all thank my good friend Briana for the inspiration behind this post.
1. What exactly am I doing on a day to day basis??
Not an easy question to answer. My pattern so far is to spend about a week at a farm then move on to a more southern city. So- what am I doing on these farms? Well that depends on the location. I've worked at a lovely outdoor setting in a valley, a olive tree orchard, a winery, a lodge, and a dry stock farm. So as you can imagine my answer changes each time I move locations. Mostly given my size and capabilities I've been moving a lot of heavy things, doing a good amount of chainsaw work, splitting wood, and other burly tasks.
2. What is my favorite moment so far?
There is one moment that I knew months before I left- that would be a moment I would remember forever: Stepping out of the airport doors in Auckland. Yes- I know it sounds lame- but I had been looking forward to that moment for months. To have my backpack there and not lost. To get my visa and not be denied. To have all my gear let in. And to be here. The start of a life changing trip. Best single moment so far.
3. What would I have liked to know before I arrived in New Zealand?
I will be the tallest guy around. I'm used to being big in the states. But here it is totally different. EVERYBODY is smaller than me. Twice a week without fail I hit my head on something most people around me just walk under. So tall/burly am I in comparison, random people ask to take their picture with me.
4. What, if anything, gets on my nerves about being in New Zealand?
It's kind of frustrating being the only person on my side of certain debates. Back home I can usually turn to someone close to me and get some back up if I need it. Here I have to be my own back up in cultural, political, religious, or any other type of discussion. I'm glad that I have the knowledge to back up my arguments. But when everybody around you has the opposite- sometimes it's frustrating.
5. What do I miss most about the states?
I could easily say "Well friends and family obviously"- and while yes I really really miss my friends and family that is not the answer you want to read about. The thing I miss second most- is American accents. I had no idea I would miss that. It took me by surprise how much I enjoyed listening to the first American I talked to here in NZ. (The woofer from my first farm Jennie) The people here are great to talk to- but every time I talk to a American it's just the best sound ever. I had no idea I would miss it.
6. What have I learned about myself?
I've been abroad for a month and a half-ish. I've learned one surprising thing about myself: I love being alone. All over my time at college(university for my non American readers) I was social everywhere and loved it. Meeting people, making friends, having get-togethers, going on trips. I've always loved it. But while here I have realized how much I enjoy me time. Waking up on a cold ridge all by myself overlooking a sunrise. Walking down a lonely highway with the wind to keep my company. Sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean at sunset. I had no idea I would like being alone as much as I do. (Don't get me wrong friends and family yes I want to hang out with you dearly.)
So here is the plan. You email me- or write a comment, with a question. If it's a good one- ill include it at the end of my next post with the answer. I'd love to make that a recurring thing!
Take care!
Steve
1. What exactly am I doing on a day to day basis??
Not an easy question to answer. My pattern so far is to spend about a week at a farm then move on to a more southern city. So- what am I doing on these farms? Well that depends on the location. I've worked at a lovely outdoor setting in a valley, a olive tree orchard, a winery, a lodge, and a dry stock farm. So as you can imagine my answer changes each time I move locations. Mostly given my size and capabilities I've been moving a lot of heavy things, doing a good amount of chainsaw work, splitting wood, and other burly tasks.
2. What is my favorite moment so far?
There is one moment that I knew months before I left- that would be a moment I would remember forever: Stepping out of the airport doors in Auckland. Yes- I know it sounds lame- but I had been looking forward to that moment for months. To have my backpack there and not lost. To get my visa and not be denied. To have all my gear let in. And to be here. The start of a life changing trip. Best single moment so far.
3. What would I have liked to know before I arrived in New Zealand?
I will be the tallest guy around. I'm used to being big in the states. But here it is totally different. EVERYBODY is smaller than me. Twice a week without fail I hit my head on something most people around me just walk under. So tall/burly am I in comparison, random people ask to take their picture with me.
4. What, if anything, gets on my nerves about being in New Zealand?
It's kind of frustrating being the only person on my side of certain debates. Back home I can usually turn to someone close to me and get some back up if I need it. Here I have to be my own back up in cultural, political, religious, or any other type of discussion. I'm glad that I have the knowledge to back up my arguments. But when everybody around you has the opposite- sometimes it's frustrating.
5. What do I miss most about the states?
I could easily say "Well friends and family obviously"- and while yes I really really miss my friends and family that is not the answer you want to read about. The thing I miss second most- is American accents. I had no idea I would miss that. It took me by surprise how much I enjoyed listening to the first American I talked to here in NZ. (The woofer from my first farm Jennie) The people here are great to talk to- but every time I talk to a American it's just the best sound ever. I had no idea I would miss it.
6. What have I learned about myself?
I've been abroad for a month and a half-ish. I've learned one surprising thing about myself: I love being alone. All over my time at college(university for my non American readers) I was social everywhere and loved it. Meeting people, making friends, having get-togethers, going on trips. I've always loved it. But while here I have realized how much I enjoy me time. Waking up on a cold ridge all by myself overlooking a sunrise. Walking down a lonely highway with the wind to keep my company. Sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean at sunset. I had no idea I would like being alone as much as I do. (Don't get me wrong friends and family yes I want to hang out with you dearly.)
So here is the plan. You email me- or write a comment, with a question. If it's a good one- ill include it at the end of my next post with the answer. I'd love to make that a recurring thing!
Take care!
Steve
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