An odd week....

 This week has been a mix of ground hog day, 

thought provoking conversations 

and a really odd comment...

Ok, let's start with the odd comment...those following on facebook will already know about the couple that inspected the Toadie Room and deemed it to be 

"This is not flash enough to bring the Very wealthy people we are meeting."

For context, this was not a 'one off' statement. He seemed a little fixated on telling me the people they were meeting were VERY wealthy. So after the fourth time telling me this, I physically bit my lip.

Over wine we have gone through all the imaginary scenario's as to WHY would someone book a shared house and consider the bedroom to be where they entertained VERY Wealthy people. After the 3rd glass you can imagine where our imagination went. This has got to be a Tinder hook up!

We actually have no idea what this couple were planning or why they were meeting VERY wealthy people. Or why it had to happen where they were staying instead of a restaurant or office or anywhere else.

We get to know many of our guests and hear their stories of why they are here and where they have traveled. Other times we just have fun making it up.

I was out with friends in Wellington years ago. 

My friends and I were admiring a couple on the dance floor that seemed to move as one. They were lovely to watch as they danced together. We began imagining their wildly romantic story...child hood sweet-hearts. Been together for 30 years. Supported each other through thick and thin. Knew each other so well they could anticipate each others every move.

I got brave enough to compliment them on their dancing and asked how long they had been together. They'd met 4 hours ago. Tinder! My friends and I were shattered!!

Sometimes it's better not to know the truth.

The breakfast table is our very own table of knowledge. 

Questions are asked, observations and comparisons are voiced. It leads to fantastic discussions and sharing of ideas. The old saying of don't talk politics or religion doesn't count at the breakfast table - we talk about it all.

This week we hosted an older couple traveling through Aotearoa for the first time. They are part way through a world tour in their retirement years. They live in Germany, met in Japan. He being German, she being Japanese. 

They noticed;  Your towns are clean and there is very little graffiti.

That's great! I'm sure if you look hard enough, you'll find the work of some dickhead.  Here in Napier, at least, our council takes the beautification of the city very seriously. 

They also noticed; There is every nationality in New Zealand. You don't have racism.

Wow! Glad you didn't notice any! And Yeah, we're quite proud to be multi-cultural.

So...at my breakfast table, where I do physically host many nationalities in harmony, I took the opportunity to express my opinion. (Oh and here...where anyone can read it...)

We know that we have racism - it's the current political football!  Our political influences have, from about the 1970's, been debating where our focus as a nation should be - multicultural or bicultural?

I'm pleased and proud that my new cross-cultural friends were finding New Zealand to be a welcoming and positive experience for them.

For the most part, New Zealanders are tolerant and accepting people and we have done better than many countries in terms of race relations. But let's not let that be our bench mark.

We should always be doing the best we can, not just patting ourselves on the back for being less shit than someone else. 

At our breakfast table we get to talk about these subjects...not all the time. Some mornings it's simply working out the best way to spend the day - exploring the city on foot or hiring bikes and heading to the wineries. 

Our conversations at the table are as diverse as the nationalities that sit at it. Even in the relatively low numbers of international travelers we currently have nine nationalities in the house.  

So in my world, I can agree with my new German friend. We don't have racism. Though we still don't like dickheads.

Breakfast has become a 24 hour event!

Since Cyclone Gabrielle, tourists have been low in numbers and the bulk of our bookings have been through 6-7 trade companies that need to send workers to the area to assist with skilled labour. The hours they work are long!

Workers have made a significant difference to how we operate. Some of them work at night. This has led to baking for all hours, (not at all hours!). 

Breads are now rolls and full cakes have been replaced with more individual mini cakes -  so workers can 'grab and go'.  It's been ground-hog day in the kitchen just to keep up with the cookie jar!

My birthday is coming up. 

Some people let their birthdays slide on by. Mine is not so much about the birthday, it's a great excuse to have an epic gathering! I love it! We have themed it this year - Famous Dead Person. I'm planning on channeling Marilyn Munroe - simply so I can sing Happy Birthday to Me.

Scrolling through the history of photos on our face book page...it is evident that guests have been involved  in every family celebration. In fact, from the photo's in the early years, you could be forgiven for thinking we had a fancy dress gathering every night! When I said this to Gareth he laughed - Back in the early years, we probably did!

How I stay well

It's important for me to stay fit and healthy in order to do my job and take care of my family. 

I have the garden. The dahlia's need more room and something is eating the sage. These problems replace the business ones and my mind gets a rest.

I used to run a lot! 20k was my preferred distance. I've just started up again and I'm really enjoying it.

I'm currently running 5k in 38 minutes. (for those interested in the math that's a 7.6k running rate. Not sure of heart rate yet). 

The aim is to get that down to an under 30 min run. I'll give you an update in a month.

Staying well and getting run fit again is important to me. It gives me balance. Thinking about the business almost constantly is exhausting and somehow the garden calms all that chatter. 

Running is my physical challenge.

Years ago - and I have no idea where I heard or read this - 

When a task in front of you is difficult:

Do something you know you can do, but is not easy. 

For some people this might be completing the junior sudoku - for me - it's running. Currently 5k is enough. I know I can do it. It is a little hard just now. I get the feeling of achievement. And then, I'm good to tackle something harder.

Try it.

With winter coming, finding the right customers to keep Toad Hall  as Napier's top hostel- not the ones looking for something flash - hosting multiple nationalities and keeping up with the baking means I need balance. The gardens will get attention, I'll work toward my running goal and I'll plan an epic birthday gathering. 

My bench mark is not to be less shit than my competitor. 

It's to remain the top hostel because we work at being the top hostel.