8. Backpacking

Backpacking = Travelchat! The same conversation, every day, with endless new people, ad nauseum. Where are you from? How long have you been in New Zealand? How long do you have left? where are you going? Are you going to do a skydive?

Early conversations like this in Auckland lead to the growing realisation... that everything here is booked up! tours, hostels, buses, rental cars... This was seriously disappointing as I was really hoping to hire a car and be free to stop off randomly around the south island. I posted a facebook ad asking if anyone with a car wanted a travel buddy, and only got messages back from kiwi men in their 60s, with additions like '... and may I also add that you are very beautiful'. Sigh.

All these interactions, plus countless hours online researching and booking travel, accommodation and activities... in addition to lugging your too-much-luggage about, (because you thought you'd hire a car) makes backpacking on your own absolutely exhausting. Also navigating your way around a new place every few days. I realised this when I went to the beach with a American guy, who immediately offered to look up the way there, and my god, it felt like such a treat just to walk! I can now see why older people choose organised travel, your brain is then fresh for more interesting reflections and exchanges.

So I am getting used to the idea that everyone staying in hostels is really young apart from a few weird old people, myself (now) included. And young people are both shy and choosy when it comes to who to be friendly with. They'll acknowledge me but won't ask me any questions. I'm not completely invisible yet, but realistically am old enough to be a parent to some of them, so unlikely to be of much interest. And that's ok. My lot (early forties) are either not here at all cos they're at home skint with small children, or are all vanning cosily around the South island. Maybe i'll meet some there?



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