Author Archives: bethoffreshair

Driving in the dark in New Zealand from one town to the next is full of wonder. I gaze out the backseat window and can’t tell if what surrounds me is crystal blue water or jagged mountains or rolling hills full of sheep. It’s a thin island of a country, so water is abundant andContinue reading “make a fire and pour some wine.”

Reactions we’ve heard once we say we’re from the US: “Of A?” “Oh, I bet you’re so good at beer pong!” “That’s where Dexter lives. Be careful!” “How many guns do you own?” And today’s: “You’re from America? So you were probably close to Paul Walker? Are you doing OK?” Truth is, even though weContinue reading “we’re from america.”

I realized today while picking weeds, that for the first time in a while, I look forward to Mondays. The last time this was the case was my freshman year of high school when I couldn’t wait to see what color Hawaiian shirt Tom Porter would have on, just like every other girl in school.Continue reading “mondays.”

We weren’t homeless on Thanksgiving! We were thankful to have found a job getting Hans and Winnie’s house ready for an annual neighborhood BBQ. We’re in Havelock North in Hawke’s Bay for a week. Brittany has been looking at real estate, that’s how much she likes it here.  Hans and Winnie are from Holland andContinue reading “not homeless.”

As of this morning, we don’t know where we are going next. People are renting the lodge we’re in now, and we don’t have a job lined up until Friday. I just talked to a guy named Mark about working on his pheasant farm and he had lots to say, but in a way whereContinue reading “homeless.”

I’ve been in kiwi country for over two months now and the only things I’m sick of are the clothes in my suitcase. I love the new towns and ever-changing views, the new people and their accents, the strong coffees, and the variety of work. It’s a constant stream of hellos, getting used to things,Continue reading “cutiepatootie.”

We almost stayed in the smelly city for a couple weeks of retail work. The thought of it made me a bit nauseous, but the thought of making some money was appealing. Just in time, we received a reply from a couple in Central North Island saying we could come that very day (Saturday). SoContinue reading “chasing waterfalls and cleanliness.”

Kasey’s favorite waterfall in North Carolina is called Bridal Veil Falls. Our new favorite waterfall in New Zealand shares the same name. Here is the beautiful bride: Here are a few other pictures from Auckland (underrated city for sure. So many cool towns that are right on the water and also minutes from downtown). AndContinue reading “the bride’s veil.”

While doing help exchange, sometimes you end up in a general practitioner’s house with a hot tub, pool, and extravagant library, and other times you have to be strategic about using public bathrooms when you’re out so you don’t have to use the filthy bathroom at the place you’re staying. And that is the joyContinue reading “bacon.”

As I said when I first arrived, Wicked the Broadway Musical is playing in downtown Auckland. I’ve had some of my favorite evenings ever at Wicked (every time with Carlee Macon Buchanan who has changed me for the good). It’s been showing here for two months now, and if I hadn’t paid that $400 beefContinue reading “defying gravity.”