Page 17 - Mistified Update June 2020_Neat

Mistified

Chapter 3
First Encounters with Maori

My arrival in New Zealand created a whole new set
of challenges. First I went into a panic about what I had
impulsively done. What was I thinking? I felt like
turning around and running home as fast as I could.

I was ready to catch the next plane home. However,
the thought of that trip and my life back in San Diego
seemed much worse than the road ahead and what it
might bring.

I couldn’t find a taxi, train or bus that would take
me anywhere near my destination. Now what? As a
last resort, I decided to rent a car. Then I noticed a
house across the street from the rental place with a car
with a sign on it, “For Sale $800.” I had a very limited
budget, but decided to check it out.

As I approached the porch where an elderly woman
sat, a handsome young man jumped in front of me and
started rattling off how I should buy his Aunty’s car
and what a great deal it was.

I was taken a little aback by his aggressive manner,
but he was kind of cute and did have a charm about
him that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

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