Going South

It's been a blog-silent month here in subtropical, beautiful, and fucking mosquito-filled Coromandel (there are also rats but as it's almost bedtime as I type, and, having to soon walk back to my bunkhouse alone in the dark, I'd rather not get into it). I call this place "The Compound" (as in "let's go for a sunset walk, I really need to leave The Compound at least once today"). Lots of cooking and music-blasting and dancing and beaching and hiking and writing and yogaing and socializing; not so much bloggity-mc-blog-blogging (shouts to Leah for coining that most apt term).

I think this is a good thing. I am, however, bursting at the seams with stories. But deciding to honor the present moment for a wee bit longer.

My current present moment = leaving here Friday, going to Auckland to party with Alexandra, hopefully Benji and Kate, and sit in on the radio show of my new friend Naomi, an Israeli-expat who lives w/ her 3 amazing children in an apartment attached to the cafe. Naomi spins some wicked dubstep and is showing me that I can be a radio dj if I so desire (she hasn't mastered the beat match yet either, but proves that all you need is a good cross-fade, at least for some genres). In turn I have inspired her to grow out all of her body hair. It's a good trade.

Tuesday I fly to Christchurch on the South Island, for a mere 40 NZ bones. I'm looking thru the WWOOF catalogue for the area, which is like soft porn for those who fancy mountain-ocean combo views, mud brick houses and composting toilets. When I was back in the States planning this trip, I emailed this one dude, but never followed up on it because I started out on the North Isle, and also, p.s., he sounds a bit doolaly (Irish for ca-razy). Check it:

"The acre farmlet is located about 700 feet high up a hill from 3 very beautiful sheltered hot white sandy beaches (Raupo Bay) circled in with cliffs. It faces sunny north on banks peninsular. Located about 1 hr from Christchurch, nearest town is Little Akaloa. It is one of the first colonial farms here and dates from 1880s*. I have built a new guest house with view of the ocean and a meditation temple in the Tibetan style where you can stay (quite possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity!). I studied from the Tibetan masters in India and Nepal for 12 yrs... I also restore classic sports cars, and have gotten into making ozone oxygen devices for added health and wellbeing and quite often miraculous healing."

(*Remember, NZ was "settled" - aka f'd over by whities - way late in the game, so 1880s is wicked historic here.)

Classic sports car restoration was totally left-field, eh? Is the possibility of being miraculously healed by an "ozone oxygen device" enough to overrule the creepy factor? So far I say no, but I'm easily persuaded..

Here are some more catalogue samples (from people I did contact):

"Biodynamically farming, breeding livestock for sale and for own meat supply and growing fruit and vegetables to be self-sufficient. Our little Farm is on an elevated area and from the east to the west surrounded by foothills. We have 360 degree view and are able to see Christchurch with the Port Hills and along the Southern Alps down to Mt. Hutt. The house is equiped with all amenities for a comfortable stay. We like cooking and all food is homemade and most of it comes from our farm."

That's a typical, fucking adorable option. Sounds so cozy! But wait, there's so much more out there:

"We grow 2400 olives organically in inland Amberley, North Canterbury. There are 200 other fruit trees and substential vege garden too. We need help for digging soil, weedeating, mulching, covering olive rows with mulch, moving fire wood, weeding vege garden and bits and pieces of garden duties... The property is situated inland Amberley at the foot of Mt Grey ('floating mountain') and Pyramid valley which command constantly varying scenes viewed from the house and outside. There are walking and cycling tracks of moderate time length in the area. Amberley township is 5 minutes drive...We have 5 spoilt cats with assortment of disabilities (deaf, 3-legged, heart condition, etc.) that require some care from people."

I like the precision of the 2400 olives. I have no idea what weedeating is and it could be bad. But a floating mountain?! I must see this. Also like the sounds of the assorted cats.

"Brew Moon microbrewery and cattle grazing on farm. Our microbrewery produces 4 beers which are available in bottles and in bulk. The beer is produced naturally with no sugar or chemicals added. We produce 1 beer from organic ingredients and if we could source local organic malts this would increase. We live on a 16 ha property about 10 minutes drive away. This property is transitional with a large organically grown vegetable garden, some poultry, cattle and horses."

Beer! Cool.

"My children have all left home and i maintain a great relationship with them.I own two health food stores locally and in the city and choose an organic lifestyle as much as possible. I love to walk, listen to music, read, personal growth and sprituality. The beach is one block away and provides wonderful walks,also a large park across the road. And we have an adorable short haired med sized dog Maxine. Our home is a large old villa and the jobs that need doing are, gardening, composting, stacking wood, chopping wood, cooking, cleaning, painting exterior and interior, landscaping and helping the health shops.I am looking for people that bring integrity and a positive energy to my home and life."

Independent health food stores = even cooler than beer (to me). I'm also glad he likes his kids -- it has absolutely nothing to do with WWOOFing but for some reason I'm endeared that it's the first thing he mentions.

And I applied to this swank place.

And a lot more. The options out there in the world are quite insane.

I miss everyone Stateside a lot lot lot! Mega hugs!