Social

I consider myself an extrovert in that I am energized by social interactions with people. But I didn’t really know how much I needed that interaction until I got to Paihia.

I’d been told it was a fun little town so I was excited. After two straight workaways of not making much of a connection, it was time.

Getting off the bus immediately felt different. There was an energy. I’m not sure whether it was natural or my brain manufacturing that feeling because it knew I was in need. Either way, the sun was shining and things were golden.

I dropped off my bag at the hostel and chatted up the receptionist about the highlights of the area. This girl came over and started listening in as well. I recognized her from the bus and she said she was curious about the same information. Nice.

After getting some advice from the desk, we went our separate ways. Of course, we ran into each other on the street shortly thereafter. Johanna from Germany. We both kind of invited ourselves to join in on the others activities. Good thing too. We got along great and hung out pretty much the rest of my stay.

We did a few walking tracks together and took a ferry over to Russell. Thankfully, she had her priorities together because she knew the happy hour spots. I mean, yeah. Beers. Deals on beers? Oh, mos definitely.

One of the places we went to (HH 8-10pm) was a bar attached to a hostel. There was a tour bus parked outside. That should’ve been a clue. It was a pretty small place but there was a big crowd and everybody was absolutely smashed. The event of the night was bingo. The gnarly part was that when certain numbers were called out, the first few people yell a phrase or make a specific gesture got a free shot. I swear I saw a 5’4” South African dude take like 10 in an hour. Goo. Also, I don’t know how this place affords to do that, but whatever. We went back the next night for trivia and there was a smaller crowd but we still crushed the competition. Free round of beers for winning. Worth it.

If there was anything that could’ve been better during my time in Paihia, it was the weather. After the first day, it was all rain. We were trying to do this hole in the rock boat cruise that also offered the option to swim with dolphins if a pod was found. Had to bail due to rain, wind and cold but ended up doing it a few days later (decent weather but no marine life spotted, unfortunately).

Instead, we decided to do a two hour walk to a waterfall. It was still raining heavily…so still questionable decision making I guess. But it was free and better than just sitting at the hostel. Also, we picked up an emerging lawyer from D.C. – Kelsey. Quite a nice trek with good conversation. The actual waterfall was probably the least dynamic part of the walk. Kelsey got us a ride back to the hostel, which I suppose can be considered the first successful (unofficial) hitchhike.

We dried off, thawed out and then hit up happy hour again. Obviously. We found another German named Rob who joined the squad that slayed the aforementioned trivia.

Rob bought a van and was renovating the inside to turn it into a camper for the rest of his travels. He’ll be here for around 5 months and plans to do some heavy mountain biking. He brought his own gear, including paragliding materials. Adventurous. Hopefully I can meet up with him on the South Island and shred the gravel gnar? I don’t know any mountain biking lingo.

It was a brief but fulfilling time in Paihia. I didn’t want to leave. Even the hostel was great – awesome, friendly, and helpful staff. Alas, it was time to move onto my next workaway in Kerikeri.

I said my goodbyes and went to officially hitchhike. It was only about 25km away and I was assured getting a ride would be easy. I faced a lot of rejection with my thumb out that afternoon, standing there like a foreign asshole wearing a big ‘ol backpack. I started to give up and walk back to catch the last bus when I was finally scooped up. That would not be the last time I hitched a ride from Paihia either.