While the days prior may have progessed not at all unlike Jamie has detailed, it must be pointed out that Dakin is not nearly the comic foil that one may be led to believe. Everyone knows that "pies" are made of meaty goodness and not blueberries! Additionally, there was a trip to the Polynesian Spa, where Dakin and Jamie paid an exorbitant $72nzd to soak in thermal pools with Japanese and Korean nationals. A price that seemed all the more exorbitant when compared to the natural (and free!) splendor of Kerosene Creek the following day.
Wellington has been compared, in climate, to the American city of Chicago. The surrounding bay acts to replicate Chicago's dreaded "lake effect", the winds pulling the cold from the depths of the ocean and pushing it through the city's streets, chilling to the bone. Upon arrival at Jame's home in Titahi Bay, a suburb of Wellington, the winds are subdued, but the cold forces itself aggressively into every crevice. This is when Dakin discovers that no home in New Zealand features that most American of comforts, central heating. James describes it, somewhat flippantly, as far as Dakin (now a child of the tropics) is concerned, as a "Culture of Cold".
Cold it is, as Dakin and Jamie huddle on Jamie's deck (or "lanai", as Dakin has become accustomed to referring to any outdoor space not covered in grass) smoking Dunhill cigarettes. Dakin is bundled in a jumper, shivering, with teeth chattering. The wind, while, apparently, not as bad as it could be, is certainly no Hawaiian trade wind. Dakin proclaims "I have not packed for this!", as Jamie led him to believe that fall in NZ may be survived with a windbreaker. Dakin also has the privilege of meeting Jamie's talented and charming partner Ami, and chatters at her in the sleep deprived delirium that may only be achieved by one who has abused their body terribly beyond what it's 31 years may withstand, in a matter of days. (It is to Ami's credit that she listens to Dakin's self absorbed nonsense for several days after this initial encounter. As was mentioned, Ami is charming, and with charm comes manners.)
Beer and wine is drunk, cigarettes are smoked, chocolate macadamia nut goodness is consumed, and music is listened to. Fires are made, and Dakin and Jamie recount their travels through the countryside; all of which has already been detailed in prior posts -- to bother with re-recounting would be the height of redundancy.
As was mentioned, NZ homes lack central heat. This is remedied -- a term used loosely; very, very, loosely -- through the use of a fireplace in the lounge (what one would call a "living room" in the states). The intent is that the fire in the lounge heats the rest of the home, making it somewhat less frigid. While this may not entirely be the case, the lounge is cozy, and the smell of woodsmoke awakens in both Dakin and Jamie memories of Kansas falls. Leaves changing and being kicked through College Hill (or perhaps Riverside) Park, birthdays had, school years begun, beginnings, endings, and all that comes with both.
Warmth and wine pull us all into slumber, and we retire early, lulled into dreams of Falls and lives past.
The following day... Cocktails, sushi, new friends, Richard Buckner
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