An Avo A Day Keeps the Rat At Bay

I just had the loveliest experience in Mangawhai. Let me quickly back up to the arrival at the Avocado farm.

I woke up at 6am, the cheapo that I am decided that I would walk my luggage (all 80 pounds) down to the train station- a 30 minute walk. My arms felt like jello and couldn't be moved for the next 12 hours...which was okay because I was on a bus that long, getting to Auckland. I then had the worst evening I have ever had in New Zealand. The receptionist was on some drunk, and wouldn't stop singing..some how we found our room. I shared a hostel with 11 other drunkies, who decided to shake my bed, poke me, try to rate how attractive I was, and demoralized women with their talk that lasted the whole night, minus 2 hours. I woke up to a lost water bottle, and vomit in the bathrooms.

I took another bus for 2 hours the next day to sit in the sun and wait 5 hours for my host to arrive. I had a wonderful 2 weeks filled with making stepping stones, shearing lamas, rescuing chicks, picking, eating and selling avos, making compost, toilet holders out of shells, weeding, planting, and so much more. I learned how to make the best hummus, salad dressing, bread, and strawberry ice cream! I really enjoyed singing songs with my host dad, listening to Ronan, the 5 year old, tell me stories, and eating Anne's lovely meals. I went to the Auckland Steiner faire with the family, 2 parties, I used a composting toilet, an outdoor shower, and would travel on the back of the Ute.

It was all wonderful, minus one thing. There was a huge rat, the size of a kitten, that would visit each night, in the rafters above my head. I would hear it scamper about. What if it fell?! Well I would cover my head and tell Frank, yes I named it, to go away. And he usually did. On the last night, Vanya, my host dad, told me he would rat poisoning in the rafters and that it might come down on my bed. Well I wasn't having that so I was set up on the coach that night.

I am so thankful for that family. They were all wonderful to me. They even helped me out during my Peace Corps interview. I learned so much from them.

I made my way to Auckland again, this time with a grumpy bus driver. So far my new hostel has treated me well. A London guy helped me with my luggage and the receptionist seems sober. Tomorrow I leave for Gisborn for the winery. Hopefully it will be a good experience. I cant imagine otherwise.