Life is a Rollercoaster
The last week has been so unbelievably up and down it’s untrue. A good if long trip up to Auckland, with a comedian bus driver who got more and more worked up as we got later and later, insinuating that it was entirely due to the lack of a toilet on the bus (untrue, as a matter of fact-we only had to make one extra stop for a kid to go pee). Nice morning pottering round Auckland-it hasn’t changed! Then naked bus to Tairua, and met my great-aunt for the first time. Her and John were both lovely, so welcoming and good-tempered; Tina was constantly chuckling about something. Their house is in a stunning location in Hahei. We had a great walk along the beach and a roast for tea, then watched the super 14.
Next day I had the luxury of breakfast in bed, and listened to updates on the ash cloud from some volcano in Iceland that had stopped all flights in Britain. Didn’t worry too much. We took the ferry over to Whitianga and had a good spinach and feta pastry which did it’s best to flake everywhere, while the sparrows watched keenly and two flies did their best to be utterly annoying. In the afternoon Tina took me to Hot Water Beach, which was possibly one of the most bizarre experiences of my life-trying to tread the fine line between burning my bum and freezing my chest, all while doing the funny shoveling dance which aims to dig a hole but mainly shovels sand in your togs. Very entertaining.
Sunday morning and flights were still being cancelled. We visited Cathedral cove, complete with it’s 150 steps, and I messed up the timing running through the cave and the tide caught one foot! Headed off to the airport about 3.30pm. I didn’t freak out until after I checked in, after cheerfully reassuring everyone that I knew what I was doing flying to LA. By then of course it was too late to rebook and sit it out in NZ. I had to sit and suffer the visions of sleeping on the streets of Hollywood for weeks.
The actual flight was good, in that there was virtually no one on it, and the films were pretty good. I even managed to get some kip (ironically mostly while sat completely upright in my seat). Just as scared when I arrived in LA, though sort of managing to see the adventure in it. The hostel was ok, free wireless, and cheered right up chatting to a group including an Irish strandee! Of course all my optimism vanished as I lay trying to get over the jetlag and noise enough to sleep. Panic described it better. I prayed, and finally slept.
Getting up was hard in the morning, but stuffed my face with free pancakes and coffee and felt a bit better. Went on the most bizarre tour in the world, led by a native LA Elvis impersonator, who said we were UCLA students for the day, and kept pointing out how all the celebrities knew him… Anyway, took a half hour bus trip to Beverley Hills and Bel Air, and got to see a lot of gates, which may or may not have hidden houses belonging to the celebs he claimed they did. He was very entertaining though. Apparently I saw the gates to the houses of: Michael Jacksons death, Marilyn Monroe, Nicholas Cage, Walt Disney, Aaron Spelling, the Playboy Mansion, and a bunch of others that I forget. I took pictures but there’s very little chance I’ll be able to remember what’s what. The most expensive had 123 bedrooms and cost $150 million… Next we went to Rodeo drive, ate at a diner and took the bus back-Adam the tour guide bailed half way-very professional. Enquired about working for accommodation and got told I could be a night cleaner-set my mind at rest re:flights/money.
Tuesday morning I turned up to start cleaning to find out that the head cleaner hadn’t been consulted, she couldn’t do the training today, and maybe I could ask back in the afternoon after they’d got hold of the manager. Started to panic again. So went and saw all of the stars on Hollywood and Vine. Got back to heat that British airspace had been reopened-woohoo! Though a second cloud was potentially approaching. No certainty. Ever. But a bit more optimistic.
Went out again late afternoon and ended up joining the audience of the Jimmy Kemmel Live show, complete with Jenny someone from Accidently On Purpose, the celeb that had just been kicked off Strictly, then the big event-Devo playing live! Whoever Devo may be! I did actually recognise the music, and also the bucket hats. A good experience. I don’t actually have any belief in my flight actually going tomorrow, as I’d convinced myself of the worst case, but yes please God, it would be cool if it did go. Thanks. Bed time.
