On Friday night I went out to diner with Marko & Emma and James & Sarah. It was good to sit with familiar people and talk about stuff that wasn't travel related. It being Marko's birthday dinner I avoided tales from the road as much as possible. We played pool for a while (and I won my two games which is pretty surprising really) and then sat down in an instant-photo-booth and had it printed out in pencil mode.

Click here for picture

   On Saturday we moved things into the freshly painted office and it looks complete now. Jed and I tried 4 different places to find what I thought was a fairly regular cable, and now the dsl modem can be next to the computer rather than in the middle of the floor, which is good.

   That evening I met with those that will make up my regular crowd now and spent the night in a few bars and a cool night club. I had a great time, though I now think I need to start a job even sooner than previously coz this town is expensive. During the evening Marko very kindly offered me the spare room at his house for when I need to move out from Jo and Jed's. I talked with a number of new people and generally found myself really liking the place. I think travelling has done me the world of good. I am far more confident and relaxed in new surroundings and I drink tea. Speaking of which I had a sudden realisation this week and it wasn't good. I didn't drink tea in New Zealand. I didn't like it and saw no reason to put up with it. When in Switzerland I turned down tea whenever Mike and Sandra offered it. But now I take it because I have decided that I want to like everything so I might as well start with tea (also drank beer last night, but still don't like it). But as Jo pointed out tea is not just a drink, it is an offer of hospitality and if I refuse to take something then I am refusing their hospitality and quite possibly offending them. That is not good. So I am drinking tea and practising so that next time I visit people I can accept their offers and drink it without wincing.