Inviting strangers to stay with us

On thing about New Zealand is all the travelers. Since we actually live on "Steepest St in the World" - our lives are constantly interwoven with tourists. (Also, we travel nearly non-stop) Everyone knows how friendly Kiwi's are, they are known world-wide for their open doors too weary travelers. Many friends told us back home in Montana that when they traveled in NZ, they often hitch-hiked and then end up staying at that Kiwi's home. This happens constantly here. Generosity is a given. Although we havn't picked up hitch-hikers (we couldn't even if we wanted too, our car is filled to the brim with gear)  I was still really inspired by this sort of kindness, and since we have an extra bedroom, sometimes we are presented an opportunity to extend our home to a stranger. Although, I must say they are not truly strangers. We have met these 3 Europeans all the back-country on one of our tramps in New Zealand's "Great Walk" backpacks. I have a theory that meeting strangers in the back-country helps people let down their guard. Your suffering together up mountains, sharing pieces of chocolate or band-aids, borrowing a match since you forgot yours or some thing else vitally necessary. So it is sorta natural to forge a deeper bond within a day or two than you would normally.         First was Maarten on the Abel Tasman. Maarten is a Dutch school teacher from Holland. Next was Marjia also from the Netherlands we met her on the Milford Track.  Last was our tramp in the Routeburn. There we met Unni from Sweden. She is just 20 years and also traveling alone. Each of these folks were amazing to our kids on the hikes when we met them.

 

Unni at Sand Fly Beach, NZ - Unni was so fun to hang out with. Her and I hiked the Pineapple Track in Dunedin, went to Sand Fly Bay and an awesome Art talk downtown at the Museum. Her mother was an artist, so it was lovely to discuss art ideas and philosophy with her. Since Unni is from Sweden, Ellie bonded with her the most since they talked alot about Nordic Culture together. Unni had a vocabulary of "Moomin Trolls" that nobody in the US could relate too for Ellie after our year living in Finland. Unni has a easy going spirit, very light and also fun-loving. I forgot to tell her how much I loved her laugh.

Maarten taking a photo above Sand Fly Bay. Maarten stayed with us for a week. He defiantly bonded with Alex the most. He taught his card games and tricks. Alex ended up helping 3 people that were caught in a rip-tide at St. Clair while he was surfing. He got the kids on his surf board helped get them to a life guard. Maarten was really impressed with Alex's effort with this situation for staying calm. That was neat for us to have someone else recognize Alex. Since we are so far away from our family and friends, we feel really alone. It is good to have friends here. Also, Maarten blew me away by leaving us with gifts and a two page letter thanking us. He wrote to each person individually with heart-felt affirmation.  Wow! Who does that? 

marjia and Jen at salt pools at St Claire  -   Marjia is a grad-student that we met while back-packing the Milford Track. We hiked and slept in the same Huts for days together. She was the only single person in our group of 40 on the trip. (The Milford Track requires hikers to sleep in the Huts and is always full).  On the last day of the tramp, we experienced 10 inches of rain that flooded the track from hundreds of waterfalls. I will never forget forging a raging stream up to my waist holding onto Alex. Those sorts of experiences make you bond with people. She was so fun to have stay with us! She was very excited about body-boarding, so we took her out to St. Clair beach and Karratonie. She also treated us to The Catbury Chocolate Factory. The kids loooooooved that! Hello Chocolate! Marija is a gifted singer too, I hope someday to hear her sing since she performs all over the world.

 

Jen and Marija excited at the Dunedin Train Station -   It was also neat to hang with 20 year olds, they are so full of energy and still exude idealism without the burden of "grown-up baggage". It is impressive that they are all traveling by themselves with massive backpacks for months and months and months. Traveling alone can be tough for such a long period. Unni has been on the road since last August. Her tent poles are broken and she only has one pair of shoes! Still, she thumbs a ride onto the next NZ adventure. I personally have loved having them stay with us. I sorta "mother" them a bit. But really, it is great to learn more about their culture and swap adventure stories. Plus, I love too show them a few sites that we are proud of in Dunedin. My parents used to call me "The Tour Guide" when I was little, so I guess that I still do that. (Remember "Love Boat"?) The other perk is for the kids! They get see the value of having an open heart to new people.