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Warning: this post contains a tiny bit of a rant against Americans. I promise that I love America and Americans, most of the time.
One of the interesting things about Queenstown when I was here back in the spring was that there was a lack of Americans. No one was certain why exactly this was, but many suspected that it had something to do with the economy. The recession in the US meant that many Americans were not traveling as much and Americans, in general, don’t do the working holiday thing so Queenstown was almost completely devoid of Americans until I arrived, affectionately being known as American Steph (there is another Steph in our friend group hence the need for the distinction). In fact, the entire time that I was in Queenstown the first time, I met only three other Americans, two of whom were a couple in their late fifties from north Alabama staying in my hostel. It’s such a small world.
Well the winds must have changed because it is blowing in the Americans from all directions. Long gone are the days when you would never here an American accent while walking down the streets. The ones that are here now tend to travel in packs, sauntering slowly down the street and blocking the sidewalks. But, they spend money in Queenstown, which is what allows people like me to be able to live and hopefully work here, so I wont complain about the American tourists any more. However, now they aren’t just vacationing here, they are doing working holidays here as well. When did America find my little international oasis? I was convinced that no other Americans would be here doing what I am doing, and yes I know how selfish that sounds.
The first American that I met after getting back into Queenstown was a girl from Alaska who was looking at my house at the same time that I was. She ended up moving in so now not only are there other Americans here in town but I am living with one. And not ten minutes ago my Brazilian roommate Michelle came in the house to tell me that we are probably going to be getting a new roommate on Sunday. He is apparently from New Jersey. Really? So, I came to the other side of the world only to live with people from home. I guess it could be worse. God bless the USA!