Hello All,
I started last update with news about my poor dead van... well i actually have a happy update. The mechanic found out it wasnt the engine that was dead, but the valves inside that were really tight, so the engine was losing compression. He got them milled down, and now, amazingly, the van starts on the first try everytime. She also has alot more power then before and a little better gas mileage. It still costed me $500 but in the long run its great because now I will actually be able to sell the van.
I stayed in Queenstown a little longer then I had hoped, not because I didnt like the town, because it really is alot of fun, but because I got a call from Base Sports in Wanaka saying that I had a job. I think because of that, it seemed like the mechanic took FOREVER to get this done, even though it was only 2 days. In those 2 days I still had a great time, Joel and I hung out, climbed up to the top of the gondola above Queenstown twice (kind of like the grouse grind in Vancouver) and enjoyed ourselves. There was a huge group of Canadians out to watch the Oilers beat Carolina, again at Winnies, the awsome bar part-owned by a Canadian. They also have big plans for Canada day, so I think I am gonna drive down for that.
Other then that, not much is new, I drove to Wanaka today to start work. I am working in the rentals fro the shop, which isnt bad because I only have one full day of work a week, then 5 split shifts from 7-10 and then 4-7 meaning I still get a decent paycheck, and can go skiing up to 6 days a week. Plus it is probably the best rental shop I have ever really been in, alot of really good skis, stuff that I like and can take when I want, which is good because I left my Big Mountain skis at home in favour for my little park skis. There is also the other small bonuses of working in a shop, like discounted seasons passes. So all is pretty good down here, all I need to do is find a place to live thats a little cheaper and a little more long term than a hostel.
Hope everything is good back home, keep emailing, start if you havent already.
-Jesse