Whirlwind…
The inner turmoil is unreal. I love New Zealand and I’m nowhere through exploring it yet. This adventure is almost over, but I’m not ready for it to be. I’m not ready to go back to reality. I should’ve scheduled this trip to be three times as long, or just up and left everything. But I had no way of knowing that I would feel this way 5 weeks into it. NZ… it’s not completely off the map. I’m a little disappointed that New Zealand so much like the US. Yes, there’s scenic beauty, but the day-to-day life is very similar. I’m not sure if I was actually expecting an undiscovered world with elves and hobbits, but as I was driving around the farm today on a 4-wheeler in the middle of story-like beauty– Hobbiton itself, in fact–it didn’t feel right. All day today I’ve been struggling with the fact that these mythical places only exist in stories. The world is a more technologically advanced place, but it is also a much darker place. I want to go on a multi-day hike, sleep under the stars. But I do not want to be a hippie and get in tune with nature by smoking some of it. And then there’s Nashville. My beloved adopted city, wrecked in a weekend. It sounds bad– really bad. I saw pictures of the inside of the Opryland Hotel and it broke my heart. I can’t believe some of the pictures — it’s like living in an alternate universe. I’m not sure what I’ll be coming back...
Well, …ington
So I bounced over to the North Island a few days ago, on a day that was so windy we had to pull up upon attempting to make our first descent into Wellington and circle around for another pass. The pilot did manage to put the plane down the second time, and rather smoothly — everyone applauded. I really, really like it here. I would venture to say Wellington has felt the most like home out of all the cities I’ve visited. On a clear day, the mountain range surrounding the bay is absolutely beautiful, and today my LOTR tour (nerd alert…) took us by Breaker Bay where I saw a breathtaking sunset and could even see the mountains on the South Island. Being here in “Wellywood” has gotten me thinking more about work and what I should do about it all. Immigration laws in NZ demand that jobs only be given to overseas folk should there not already be a Kiwi equipped for the job. And, let’s face it: being a set production assistant isn’t brain surgery. But what if? My desire to get involved goes hand-in-hand with my reasoning for being in the film industry. I want to be involved in something bigger than myself, creating something that thousands of people can appreciate for decades to come, and that’s exactly what movie-making allows us to do. But I would love to work on something great. I think the magic of Lord of the Rings is that no one realized how successful the movies would be, but yet they devoted two or more years of their lives to the project, created deep friendships, broke rules, and lived daily adventures that forever changed them. Their adventure is not unlike the adventure described in the books, and that kind of an experience is what I’m striving for, and that’s why I love being on movies more than anything else. How awesome would it be to leave it all behind for a year to move to a distant land, focusing on nothing more than one project with one group of people and have that piece of work recognized by millions around the world? You could forever say, “I had a part in that”, and forever whenever you stumbled across a person who you worked beside, you could share that knowing smile — It was our journey and only we know. I went surfing at Lyall Bay yesterday where the waves were far gentler and less intimidating than back at the Gold Coast. I even stood up a couple of times! On this trip I’ve realized how adventurous I am, how the 9...
Rough Day in Christchurch
I’ve been rather depressed today. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent wayyy more money on this trip than I ever anticipated. Maybe it’s because I realize I’m 23 and I haven’t accomplished much. Maybe it’s because part of me would like to stay in New Zealand as The Hobbit is gearing up to shoot, but I know that’s a rather crazy ambition — although SOMEONE has to check in all the hobbits/gobblins and make sure they’ve filled out their vouchers correctly. Or maybe they just do cash here? I also don’t like the person that I am. Self-absorbed. Elitist. Clueless. Out of shape. Face breaking out. No direction. Etc etc. I’m also cheesed off because the dryer ate a $2 coin, the phone at the hostel didn’t give me any refund when I didn’t use my full $2, and the freaking computer ate a $2 coin. and outta...
kia ora
Hoorah! I made it to Middle Earth whilst reading the last few pages of The Hobbit. (If only I were kidding…) Customs was pretty breezy, but more rigid than when I landed in Australia. They actually asked to see my itinerary/proof of onward travel — good that I printed it out 4 weeks ago, I guess! I had to declare my food that I was bringing in from Australia, which consisted of: TimTams, Aero Bars, and two James Boag lagers. I initially forgot about the beer, told the customs agent, who shrugged, but then said, “Wait, is it Aussie beer?” I nodded. “Yeeccch!” he said. And then he added, “Well, better than Yank beer, at least!” I give Christchurch a B-. Cathedral Square is OK, some streets look a bit European, but overall…not all that great. I took the gondula by Lyttleton and rode up to the top of the nearby mountain range (not the Southern Alps – the other one), and it was spectacular. No snowcapped peaks or anything, but grassy ridges and panoramic views in every direction. In Australia, I mourned my lack of a laptop, but I think here, I will always be wishing for a wide-angle lens. I’d size up a good image, look through the lens, think, “Oh, I must be zoomed in”– but I never was. There were lots of hikes available all over the ridges of the mountain, which had clear paths and stepping stones but were rather spartan when compared to trails in the US, where it seems like they’re designed for people with all kinds of physical ailments, including broken ankles and/or crutches. Here, you actually have to watch your footing and think before you step. Also, there aren’t any guardrails. I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t admit to feeling like I was trailing Aragorn and Legolas in Two Towers the entire time. It was easy to stop and look at a ridge in the distance and envision Wargs spilling over the top (none did, thankfully), hear epic music, or have flashbacks of random quotes playing in my head. In the same vein…I gave in to my nerd desires and I’m venturing out to Edoras tomorrow with other nerds. I might put some additional effort in to look girly. Travelling is SO EXPENSIVE, and I’m so sick of spending money. I’ve spent a fortune in the last 24 hours for random things… food ($20), accomodation ($67), gondula ($23), 2GB SD card ($29), airport transfer ($17), phone card ($10) — and then there’s the adventure to Edoras which is a day’s wage in US dollars. Atleast it’s only $.60 US...
it’s no accident we’re here tonight
A beautiful autumn day back in Sydney. I’m so elated to be back with my couchsurf family — all four of us hailing from different continents, where nearly every conversation is a lively and educating one– otherwise, it’s completely ridiculous and it’s probably the Brazilian’s fault. Seeing Switchfoot tonight, which is a bit surreal. I keep peering around every corner hoping to catch a glimpse of them ambling around the city, but no luck so far. I think I missed my chance at Snapper. Seeing my favorite band in my favorite city in a country I’ve been dying to visit for 12 years. Life is...
About
I'm Laryssa, and when I'm not working in film or television, I'm attempting to travel -- or I'm here, providing resources for working in film or travel. Read more Elsewhere on the internets
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