Queenstown and my job

Hello All!

Its been a long time since I posted, allow me to explain...

I'm in Queenstown now, the party capital of New Zealand, but also the extreme adventure capital as well. People come from all around to bungi jump, skydive, white water raft, and much more. As a result, this town attracts quite a crowd of young crazy travelers. Its also a gateway to the famous Milford Sound and Mt. Aspiring National park (where much of Lord of the Rings was filmed). This town has probably the most striking setting I've seen so far in NZ surrounded by rocky peaks and hugged by one of the deepest lakes in NZ.

As I mentioned before, I've been vigorously working since the second day I got here and thus have been really busy over the last few weeks. I got here with $400 and needed to get a job ASAP. Within 2 days, I had 3 job offers as a bartender since this town is crying for hospitality workers. I did a trial at a funky, brand new cocktail bar called Skybar and within 45 min, the guy offered me a job. Skybar is a nice wine and cocktail bar with a high-class loungy feel, but it's open late (until 4am), so it gets quite a crowd of late night people that party hard. In fact, there are a few bars that have 24hr licenses and many are open until 5am. Since I've turned my nights and days around, there have been many nights, I've come home when the sun was coming up!

This bar is only 5 weeks old, and just this other guy Chris and I run the place including the liquor orders, money counting, and ordering. Our mission from the owners is to make this bar the most popular place in town, it's kind of a nice challenge. Chris has taught me how to throw a good party for people and give them what they want. We have control over everything, the music, the drinks, the lights, the entertainment. There's a lot of freedom and anything goes! It's liberating having so much freedom and creativity with a job. I really like that, as this was something that was restricted a bit with my engineering job.

To make this the most popular place in town is a tall order since there are so many other bars. We try to do some different and crazy things like dancing on tables, performing to songs like Broadway performers, and we are also doing this "ring of fire" trick. We get lighter fluid, play Johnny Cash's song, and light the bar on fire and people love it! We've gotten so much positive feedback from everyone, it really motivates me to do more. Two people last weekend told me that was the best bar they'd ever been to in their life!

Its fun to get into bartending again, I missed it during my professional life. Additionally, I've secretly always wanted to be a Thespian and a part of me does like being "on stage." I also enjoy the craft of making a nice tasting cocktail and being creative with flavors, ingredients, spirits, and garnishes-its an art.
This seems a bit off track of my intentions for NZ, but its what I fell into, and I'm enjoying myself. Additionally, spontaneity was part of my plan for traveling, as I do think that that creates a more special experience, letting yourself fall into something. It was also the first and fastest job I could get here since I needed cash.

Since I've been working, I've been completely impressed with the people I've met here in Queenstown. Its a different town in the fact that no one really stays here longer than a year. There's a constant influx of new workers, travelers and locals. This transient atmosphere, combined with the high number of nightclubs, outdoor activities, and an amazing setting, creates a unique aura. Since all of us know that we are all away from our families and in the same situation, we take care of each other. Its like a big family of people working in the hospitality industry. I was taken back with how I was welcomed with opened arms as a new member of the team. They've been so warm and accepting, its made the introduction back to work enjoyable. People knew who I was even before I met them. I'm known as the "Rocket Scientist" that works at Skybar. Kind of fitting, isn't it?

So I'm experiencing all aspects of life: nature and beauty, a new culture and job, and a great and supportive social scene. What is really enjoyable here is that, unlike some of my experiences in America, people are so accepting and less judgemental. I really feel like I can be myself without someone asking "why are you wearing that? or You can't dance" People are so open-minded and everyone just want to have a good time. There are so many things that wouldn't fly in the US. It's so free. People are less superficial and aren't trying to be someone they are not. They are not trying to be "so cool." I really like that, it's real.