Queenstown

I've been in Queenstown for about a month now and I've got to say, I'm indifferent towards it. It could be the overly capitalistic nature of the place or the thousands of regularly rotating tourists, I'm not sure. Standing in the shoes of a local I've got to say that the town itself just doesn't feel entirely right. The best I can do to equate what it is like to be here during the winter season is to say imagine what it would be like to have an apartment in the middle of Disney Land. Yeah, cool at first, but before long you find yourself in a state of repression due to impulse avoidance of skull smashing Walt's many creations. Moderation is key. Oh yeah, and there's no discounts for living in Snow White's Palace. If you walk on two legs you pay the two leg price, period, and at DLand that can get expensive.

With all that said I am proud to say that I have not been out at night ONCE since moving here. I'm pretty sure it's some sort of record for Queenstown. They don't call it the "Queenstown coma" for nothing. Lucky for me there are many other good things to spend my money on, including the two mountains in my backyard: Cornet Peak and The Remarkables. We've been up on both and have had a blast! I miss tree runs and big powder but there are lots of cool features that are uniquely New Zealand as well and that has been making it fun. Regardless...working all week and then spending the weekend on the hill boarding simply kicks ass.

Work itself is, well, work. Getting the vines of a local vineyard primed for growing next season... Like most things it was fun at first, but then quickly became monotonous. It's a transition period though, part of the game. We've spent the last months traveling and having a blast and now it's time to put a few dollars back in the bank. I love being outside all day, the views from the vineyard are amazing, the people I work with are amazing, its a slightly romantic occupation (I say that standing on the other side and with a bit of sarcasm), and its putting money in the bank.

I've been dreaming of surfing 24/7 but I'm not sure if that is just a case of wanting what I can't immediately have. I'll leave that sacred ground alone for now and take solace is slope shredding on the weekends. Luckily there are a few limits to push around here.