Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain (original) (raw)

'I hope the music isn't too loud?'...It's about 9 in the morning and my next door neighbours already have the reggae blaring...

'Nah, I hope I didn't wake you up last night?'...I'd got talking to a small group of (omg - white! that's almost a first for this trip) folks last night. The bouncer at the 'pig' gave me a broad grin, a hug *and* let me in for free - he even bludged a ciggie on my behalf later on...By closing time, we had realisation that we were all at the same campsite, which lead to an invite back to my van to help me christen the berry port I'd bought the day before...So yeah, I was a little worried that we might have been a tad loud...

'Nah cuz, all goods...would you like some wine?' And while this is the first time I've ever had a hair of the dog brekkie, the chance to be neighbourly was too good to pass up - and god knows, port in the van til three in the mornig means the 'dog really was quiet welcome.

I'd met them briefly the night before as they were setting up, a bit of an intro, a small lil chat - and later, walking to see whats what at the pub, a car pulling over, getting my headphoned attention, and two young men offering me a lift up to town.

This second morning, they're bubbly. Three young folks already drinking up , getting themselved buzzed for the day of dancing ahead. I didn't get all their ages, except for Mya, who's just turned 20 the week before (what day was your birthday last weekend?! Serious cuz? You're a 22 too?!!! So now there's another 'my birthday' baby to add to the collection).

She's studying Maori media, but can't wait til uni's over so she can get out of the city again...we had a good lil chat about writing and about people and just being aquarian, I guess.

The one who wasn't her boyfriend is still whinging, he spend the night in the back of their truck (while the two lovebirds got the tent between their vehicle and mine). He had a tarp to keep the rain off, but no blankets, no pillows, no nothing.

'You guys still here tonight?' And yes they are, so before I head into a day of sunburn, and crowd watching. Dancing and singing... I pull out my spare blankies and hand them over 'You should have tapped on my window! I had to buy and extra doona (duvet?) to keep me warm here, but that's doing the job all on its own. Take these for tonight, man'

And just before they sail out this morning, he thanks me. Tells me they were a godsend, and that contrary ti the night before, last night he slept like a baby ;)