We happily left Old MacDonald Farm the next morning and headed for Barrytown. On our way, we passed by the spot when the other Stray bus had flipped. I couldn’t see it too clearly from where I sat, but someone said there was a distinguished bus shape in the vegetation. Shortly after passing the site, we stopped at the Pancake Rocks. It seemed like people were pretty quiet after this. Three days can really change your life. I suppose stopping at the Pancake Rocks was the best place to reflect on the funny thing we call life. It’s pretty tranquil looking out at the ocean and seeing all these rocks that the water has eroded perfect lines on causing a pancake-like appearance.
After that much needed break and time for reflection, we ventured on to Barrytown.
Oh, Barrytown. This is one of the most interesting places I stopped on the bus tour. You’d miss this town if you blinked and I think Stray stops there for one purpose alone – embarrassment. There are only two things to do in this small town.
Firstly, we carved our own necklaces out of cow bone. Mine is a beautiful Maori symbol that represents strength, determination, brings peace, prosperity and good health. It also provides a safe journey over water. This hippie guy that was helping us had us all laughing the entire time. I miss the strange people I met while I was traveling. You never knew what they were going to say and do. Prime example…and I won’t write the cuss words out, but this gives you the idea of the kind of hippie he was. We asked how he ended up in Barrytown carving necklaces. His response, “I’ve done some good s***, bad s****, but I like this s****.” Who says that? I write this only because it makes me think about how much he’s gone after what he wanted to do. He proceeded to tell us about his trip across Europe that took seven years. The hippie got it. He understood what it was to go after what he wanted, no matter how long it took and he did what he enjoyed. So maybe it takes me 5-10 years to return to NZ, I can’t loose hope that it won’t happen. I want to go on mission trips. Maybe that’s 3 years off after my last car payment. I’m going to do it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not completely unhappy being back, I just hope it’s a stepping stone to the next phase in my life I’m looking forward to. Le sigh…
Anyway, the other thing to do is Barrytown is cross-dress. Yes, that’s right. The hostel/bar we stayed at gives discount drinks to those who dress up. Imagine my surprise when we return from carving our necklaces to see 20 males dressed up as women. Not only were they dressed as women, but someone had put make up on them and painted their nails. Some of these images will never leave…Mark dancing in heels most of the night saying he doesn’t understand why they’re uncomfortable only to find out that his feet hurt, Spiderman pulling money out of his shoe because he didn’t have pockets, and the drunk Irish guy (well woman that night) singing his National Anthem loudly at Claire. Too funny. Vanessa, Claire and I did dress up…which was actually fun. Vanessa was David Beckham, Claire was Bob the Builder and I was Kevin. Let me explain. After the soccer and construction worker outfits were claimed, there wasn’t much left. I ended up wearing a HUGE pair of Khakis, which luckily I traveled with my belt, and a shirt and vest that did not match in the slightest. We someone named me Kevin and said I was the next US President. We further described Kevin as “the nerdy guy who just never figured it out”. Cross-dressing must sound weird to the outsider, but when you’re there and you see several males dressed up and dancing, it makes for some great laughs. Once again, I had a Chandy…was probably the only sober person, but I had a blast.
No comments:
Post a Comment