The gateway to the west coast

I left my heart in Queenstown. 

What is with my major obsession with this city anyways? I have no clue really, it could be the amazing people, nightlife, and scenery.  Tons of great hikes right out of my door step. Hundreds of cool activities surrounding me. Also its a very young crowd, the population of people under 40 is unreal. Leaving Queenstown put a very bitter taste in my mouth. I really just was not ready to leave yet.  I was all set up with a place to stay, a job and some really cool friends.  I wish I could have stayed another few months.  I suppose I could always go back.  I loved the feeling of normality, the fact that I could call a friend and meet up for lunch. Its kinda funny, because most of the time I want to run away from the every day routine. 

this is the view from my deck

And as every traveler knows the relationships you build while traveling are strong and quick.  Spending 3 days with someone could make them your new best friend only to have to say goodbye the next day.  Spending weeks with someone makes them even that much closer.  

But, lets talk a little more about my time in Queenstown.  The first day I got there I met a few girls who wanted to check out the night life, and that we did! After a great night out I got strep throat, searched for a job, got fired as you all know and then spent the next few days in bed.  From there I got a couple new jobs and started working for my accommodation at a small hostel. 

From there it was all a blur of long work hours and fun with friends.  The scenery and day hikes around Queenstown were killer!  Walking to work in the mornings I saw some of the most spectacular sunrises. Staying out late at night allowed me to see the most incredible view of the stars.  

I still don't know why I am really that obsessed, its such a small town (only 20,000 people) but, its full of good fun.  

So when my boss offered my job back to me if I will come during winter season my wheels started turning…. we shall see…. 

Hostel Life

Hostels.

Hostels are what make my trip possible.  They provide a very inexpensive place for me to rest my head, cook my meal and meet hundreds of new friends.  I am so grateful that they exist so that I can travel with out fear. I know that they will always be my safe haven when I am sad, sick or lonely.  They are filled with travelers much like me and I can always find a soul to confide in. 

They can be a great place to catch your breath

or a good place to party 

However, and I'm sure that all of you knew that was coming, I am getting tired of some parts of the hostel life. I have to side track bit and tell you about the Kiwi/Stray bus tours so that you understand this full story. The Kiwi and Stray bus tours are two different companies that travel around New Zealand with large busses packed full of young travelers.  They make it possible for people to see a lot of sights in a short amount of time with out having to do much planning yourself.  The concept is great, the kids that take the busses love them. As an outsider however, I HATE them. They always rock up to the hostel later in the day hungover, drunk or pre drinking. Screaming with their girl friends about who the slept with the night before and how drunk they were. Then they proceed to take over the bathroom to plaster on their makeup and tease their hair. All of this in preparation of whatever the bus may have planned for them that night.  Now getting on with my story, last night at BASE hostel Wanaka three busses pulled up.  My room was then invaded by 6 dudes from the Kiwi bus. The guys themselves were alright, nice enough, currently showering off their hangovers and starting their pre drink for the night before.  A tornado had hit my room and it was insane.  They were having a fake bachelor party and one of them was the groom another was the stripper.  They also had to only wear plastic garbage bags that night. I left and went out to the movies, it was just a little too much for me. 

*Side note! The movie theater was amazing!! They had couches, wood fire pizza, cheap soda and an intermission where you could buy freshly baked cookies!!!

When I got back to the room they were gone, so I stepped over all the beer bottles and garbage bags and headed to bed. Around 2am one of the Irish men came back into the room.  He proceeded to sit on his bed and poke me until I woke up. Then, he asked me what I was up to, "sleeping"

How was your night, "fine". He told me all about his night and then asked if he could sleep in my bed because it was his "last night there" 

SERIOUSLY?!

NO sir you can not come into my bed. He crewed back into his own bed and passed out.  

Needless to say I am excited that I am about to get a break from the hostel life for the next month. Its going to be much needed.

Instant new friends