10/16/2015 grist for the mill

ok, cool - today we are working with… tolerance:)))
 I will admit that my heart sank a bit upon arrival - gaggles, even perhaps conspiratorial clusters (think high school) of very young scandinavians and germans, just being themselves, young, loud, and free, which is great, of course…therein lies the future of the world and all! …but the scene seems like a co-ed frat house after the relative serenity of Solscape. Still, what do I expect - I’m staying in hostels… you know, youth hostels…:)
Actually, I feel a tenderness toward them - they’re kind of awkward in the world, like foals - wobbly and a bit mystified by their new relative independence. It’s probably the first time many have been away from home, parents, school, etc.
One last cranky old lady thing, and then I’ll shut it… the ubiquitous and thoroughly generic music….suffice it to say that if I meet someone who is listening to jazz or punk rock I am going to fall down prostrate at their feet and kiss them to death!!!
Ok I’m done. Thanks for listening.
Not knowing what else to do after checking in, I set off on an invigorating hike (excuse me, “tramp”) up their “loop trail”, which goes up, up, and up for about 30 minutes, and then down, down down. No particular vista at midpoint, though there was a massive tree with a very sit-able looking horizontal branch that I shall endeavor to climb up to and perch upon my next foray - the view would be of Whale Bay and the lush fingers of land that slope down from the ridge.
The trail itself? Between gordian knots of tangled tree roots, vines, and thick “bush”, it’s a bit like god got frustrated with his 70’s macrame projects and just tore them to shreds, fed the houseplants the macrame creations were to meant to suspend a lifetime’s dose of steroids and a tab of acid, and then just threw his hands up in the air and split, leaving it all to its own devices. If Hawaii and Scotland had a baby, it would be New Zealand. Wouldn’t try the trail in the rain, but if it stays dry, it’s inviting. There’s also an offshoot that goes all the way up to the top of the ridge of Mt Karioi where there is some kind of lookout - a good day trip with snacks, sunscreen, and rain jacket. Tomorrow, however, it’s in the opposite direction I will point myself - down to the sea!!! Suss out the surf situation, and hole up between some black volcanic rocks and read my “new” book.
For the timing being, it appears I only have one roommate, a sweet young woman from “well, I never know what to say because my mom is kiwi and my dad’s american, so I live everywhere” (including Kansas)…next door, a super sweet baby-faced german skater boy, and several doors down from him, a large young Brit who broadcasts mainstream “indie” (huh?) rock from his iPhone, swigs from a 2 liter (I kid you not) bottle of coca cola, and smokes… nice, right? :)))
Praise be diversity in all its (pale-skinned thus far) manifestations <3