A little about Nelson

I've been in Nelson almost a week now, and it mostly has been a pretty uneventful yet very relaxing time. It could only be the weather that's been happening this week, but I've felt an obvious increase in warmth compared to the Southern reaches of the island (Nelson is on the Northern coast). Everyday except today has been sunny and warm, and now even though the clouds have opened up, there is no trace of chill in the air.

I spent the first couple of days here relaxing in the hostel and doing a bit of busking. The hostel I have stayed in is really nice compared to other ones I've visited. It feels like a small home. There is free internet, fresh baked bread, fruit, and hot drinks, and the staff keeps things super clean and friendly. My USA birth date was on Thursday here (march 24), but after thinking about it, I realized my New Zealand date of birth was actually the 25th, so I decided to do a little celebrating both nights. On Thursday I bought a large bottle of Australian beer and some icecream treats to share around the hostel. It was good to do a little something special. Friday is BBQ night here, so I figure I would get a nice steak, and celebrate again with a tasty, protein-packed meal. I did that, but after it was over a couple of the girls staying here also surprised me with a chocolate cake! It was the closest I have come to a surprise party, and it was good to do the customary wishing and blowing out of the candles. Otherwise, I may not have truly felt a year older.

After my days a relaxing, I decided to do a hike around Nelson. It is a very sprawling city as the real estate along the coast is in high demand. I walked one day along the shoreline to the beach and watched the ocean freighters coming and going out in the bay. After the beach I walked through the surrounding neighborhoods up to the highest point in the city which made for a gorgeous view of the bay on one side and the city with its surrounding hills on the other. From there I made my way down to the city center feeling like I had made a pretty good tour. Yesterday, I went to the market with some folks from the hostel. I bought some socks and an excellent spicy German sausage complete with saurkraut and mustard. I also bought some sweet corn that was top notch and dirt cheap (tis the season), and some multicolored bell peppers that made for a good snack.

Afterward the market, I was doing a bit of busking without much luck, when a group of kids from Australia walked over. One of them said he played a bit of violin as he dropped a five into the case. He asked if he could play a few jams, so I tuned it to standard and handed it over. I think he played 5 or 6 tunes, a mixture of Irish and classical stuff. I had no idea my cheap violin could sound like that. I've met other people who say they play, so I oblige, and they play a few notes without any rhythm, hand the fiddle back, and say they can't remember anything without their music. It was good to meet someone who can play some beautiful stuff from memory. My favorite tune he played was the song from the movie Titanic that the band plays as the ship is sinking. It was great. Plus, he made a bit of money and refused to take it with him when he left. A class act indeed.

I was hoping it would be good weather today because technically I should leave the hostel before the afternoon, but it continues to rain. Hopefully I do not overstay my welcome. I was a good guest for five nights, I suppose I deserve a little added hospitality. Sometime after 4pm I am to be picked up by my WWOOF hosts on their way to Marlborough Sounds. They are on their return trip from Christchurch. It has been good to not have any commitments for a while, but I am ready to get back into the working world, the WWOOF working world at least.