What A Bad Day

Okay, I recently had a horrible day but it's not what you think, it's because I could hear my Dad's voice in my head giving me advice. But, we'll get into that in a minute.
So I left CHCH a week ago, but before I left I ran into a couple friends from the ice. It was fun to see familiar faces once again and we even found a cool little bar with live music to spend the evening (although I stopped drinking after I left the ice but don't worry, it will only last a little while). I caught a plane to Wellington when I was going to spend the evening at the famous Beethoven House. I was told by a friend on the ice that each morning you are woken for breakfast by the sounds of the classical composer. However the true Beethoven house is full of drug dealing sketchy people. I saw maybe 5 deals go down in an hour from people that weren't even staying at the back packer. The dogs that lived there pooped all over the floor, and cleaning I don't think had been done since Beethoven was alive. However, I left the next day and was headed to Hawke's Bay via bus.

I got in around 6:30pm and thought I could just find a backpacker to stay at. However the first two I went to were full. The next on the list didn't have a good rating so I was afraid to stay there but there was a forth option. This fourth option did not have a rating since it was new but I gave it a shot. They had one free bed left and were willing to come pick me up so I took it. This place is beautiful. The people are friendly and the owners clean every day. I love it hear.

The reason I came to Hawke's Bay is to take a paragliding course. I wanted to get my PG2 licence and was under the impression it was $1250. However it required a PQ1 licence which I didn't have which cost $620. So this is where my Dad's voice came in to my head. I did not need the PG2 licence since I didn't even have a paraglider. So, I did the PG1 course.

Barry, my instructor was a little odd, but his office is in a storage unit. He has been flying for 15 years, but I don't think he has been teaching all that long.

I was able to complete 7 flights off the hill which were a little scary, but I did it and it was a ton of fun. I'm not sure if I'll try again later in life, but it was worth the adventure. So next I'm off to the south Island again via the Ferry and I hope I can find a new farm. I also need to find a new summer job but I'm thinking about asking Stryker if they'll take me back again for the summer. Who knows.

Cheers,
Skippy