The Two Internet Cafes
As I was fast becoming a local, I figured I should learn how to ride a scooter like 99% of the rest of the population here.
If you've never ridden a bike before, then 'Budget' won't lend you one (actually it depends on how good a liar you are/whos on). Without a bike, you can't get your scooter license. Without a scooter License, its illegal to hire a bike. I've only ever ridden motorbike-ish vehicles, ie. Snowmobiles, Quad bikes and Jet Skis before, and this wasn't enough for the woman behind the counter...
Step up 'Rarotonga Rentals' a slightly shady (if very friendly) bike hire outlet that lets you have a 50cc bike without any prior experience, and on the promise that you'll go straight down to the police station and get a license.
SOLD.
$15.50 and four left hand turns around the police station later, I can now hire the biggest bike I can find! I stuck with my 50cc jobby. Though I queried with the policeman if I'm only legal to drive anti-clockwise around the island now?
Now the cynical among you may assume that this is just some easy money for the police to make at the top of every hour. But No! As the portly CookCop said to us before we started, he will fail us if we do anything wrong. Which an American guy did. All the way around he flicked his right indicator on instead of turning it off.
$10 and do it again please!
While I was in the police station waiting for my drivers license to be printed, I started chatting to Doug and Adele, a kiwi couple. It turns out they're here to get married and they'll need a witness when they do. Am I free next Tuesday? Then they started talking about needing someone to hold the video camera... What are the chances? I did five years of video at college! I'll be there.
I took my mean machine up to have a look at Arianna bungalows ahead of moving in there tomorrow. I Realised as I drove around the main road on the island, that I was now free to go as fast as I liked on this baby (which isn't that fast on a 50cc bike!) Then, as I twisted the throttle and rounded a corner, it dawned on me how stupid all this was. I've been on the bike 5 minutes, I have no helmet, and i've never had a lesson on how to ride one in my life! If I come off, it could seriously ruin my ability to be a lucky bastard. I eased off the throttle.
That after noon at CYBERNET I watched as Matt got more and more pissed off with the kids upstairs. He was trying to insert my code into an active desktop. As it was mid-term break, and the place was full of 11-16 yr olds shouting and screaming at each other as they multi-played computer games, it was proving difficult for him to concentrate. I felt bad telling the kids to keep quiet as I used to be the same when I played at work!
Downstairs was nice and quiet though so I carried on writing my Javascript.
Next day I took the morning off. I moved into Arianna Bungalows and then changed my departure flight at the airport. After that, I took my bike back and went over to the Immigration office to extend my tourist Visa for another month. They didn't ask any questions about me working, and I didn't offer any clue. My reason was valid. I'd rather kill the time between meeting Mum and Dad in San Francisco here, than in Los Angeles.
I felt cheeky enough though. The Immigration office was within spitting distance of CYBERNET! I took this from upstairs where the games PCs are.
(Grey Building, Top Floor - where the white plaque is)
Everything was coming together. I think it was a Wednesday too - that meant everyone would be going to the 'Banana Court' (next door to CYBERNET) as, at 8pm, they do free Vodka and Orange in a big container until it runs out! I planned to play computer games for free between CYBERNET closing and then. Could things get any better?!?
Bill came in later that afternoon and said "Are you looking for a room? Sian at the other Internet Cafe has a house and shes looking for a flatmate. $65 a week apparently."
Ah. It seems things can get better.
As I chatted to Sian on the phone about when I could move in, having my own room, a kitchen, washing machine, hot water (Vara's didn't) she said, "Oh, if you can move in by Saturday, you might as well come to the BBQ we're having at Mum's."
All this and a proper welcome feed? I must have been very good in a former life to deserve all this!
Friday night I went out and saw (Fijian) Sammy in a bar called Trader Jacks in town. I got a free drink off him, then a local's cheap drinks card (you pay up front and get a big discount) from Andy, an English bar manager who I'd spoken to a couple of times in CYBERNET.
Saturday, my one day off, I moved into my new house. It's next door to the Assembly of God church off the main road in Ngatangiia, about 5 mins up from where I was at Vara's.
This is it at Sunset.
The Kitchen
and Front room. My room is the door on the right.
That afternoon, I hired a bike from Budget. I was planning on getting another 50cc one from RR, but I forgot that pretty much everywhere on the island closes at noon.
I hired the 100cc Yamaha. It had gears which was different, but nothing I couldn't handle. Also the back brake was by my right foot rather than my left hand?
I didn't get a picture of it. This one is Sian's, its mostly the same. (except for the mirrors which have come off after all the times she's crashed it)
Anyway, that night I went to Sian's mum's place for a fantastic BBQ. Neil (Upminster) was there. As was Spanish Anna (The Bitch) and Serdgio (Sir-hio) her bloke.
Though I found out Anna isn't actually a bitch, shes really sweet and lovely. Though I think it was because she was sweet and helpful when I thought she'd stolen my job that I just figured I should dislike her and call her nasty names. I feel quite silly now.
Anyway, it was a great night, which was strange because I didn't drink (I had the bike). I didn't think the two were compatible.
Sunday, I went back to work at the Muri Beach Internet Cafe.
I bought myself a couple of 'Island' (flowery) Shirts to show I was now truly a local.
Becky and Rob came back from Aitutaki (Charlie was still there doing his PADI) and they couldn't quite believe the change in me over the last week. Flowery shirts, doing the special Cook Islands handshake with the locals, riding a bike, living in a house, cheap drinks, even going to a wedding! As I looked out my window, and thought of the car park I used to look out on in London, I thought you know what?
I am a lucky bastard.
