Monthly Archives: October 2014

A Shoreside Reverie

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Ben Rietema

I played quite the part of a Romantic, staring off into the gently rolling waters of the Pacific with nary but an overweight pack by my side and thinking lofty thoughts concerning various consistencies of peanut butter and whether cannellini … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged adventure, backpacking, german, Germany, hostel, hostelmates, Napier, New Zealand, Reverie, thinking, travel | Leave a comment

Somewhat Of A Letdown

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Ben Rietema

Already in my journey, I have had the experience all travelers have of expectations meeting a sad reality; it’s like the turkey in National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation. I don’t even like turkey and that turkey looked to be the tastiest … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged adventure, backpacking, Christmas Vacation, Hamilton, hiking, New Zealand, Rotorua, Thermal pools, travel, Yellowstone | Leave a comment

A Visit To Bag End

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Ben Rietema

A trip to Hobbiton in New Zealand exists as a fringe dream for anyone who has read The Lord of the Rings books, seen the movies, or who has a fondness of replicas built for short people. Unfortunately, whoever “owns” … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged adventure, Hobbit, Hobbiton, Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Rings references, Matamata, New Zealand, Shire, Tolkien, Tourist, travel | Leave a comment

Fat Cat’s Hostel

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Ben Rietema

Feet weary, shoulders toast, hips toasted and buttered, I schlucked my pack to the seat aside me. I then proceeded to stare blithely out the window as the train brought me to my hostel on the outskirts of Auckland. Sunnyvale … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged adventure, Auckland, backpacking, Farm, Fat Cat's Hostel, French, german, hostel, New Zealand, organic, Sunnyvale, tramping, WWOOF | 1 Comment

The Beginning…

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Ben Rietema

Sometimes I think “going on an adventure” is just another way of saying “deliberately asking for misfortune and anxiety.” Those who read adventure stories like The Lord of the Rings, Eragon, or really anything that’s not some Home and Garden … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged adventure, Auckland, backpacking, beginning, cafe, coffee, Immigration, Lord of the Rings references, New Zealand, Roommate, travel | Leave a comment

Snippets From A Wedding

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Ben Rietema

In twenty seconds, the Oreo was to be found in multiple places around Asa’s mouth, hands, and forehead. It seemed he had gone for theatrical eating effect while forgetting the fact that he had to actually get some of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged beginning, Bride, college, decoration, ending, Grand Rapids, Groom, groomsman, icona pop, Illinois, Lord of the Rings references, memphis, Talking Heads, wedding, YMCA | 3 Comments

Doing A Wedding Without All The Silly Stress

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Ben Rietema

Weddings. They’re special; they really are—whether it’s to pay tribute to the beginning of a lifelong bond or a really strong impulse to have church-condoned sex. On one hand I understand wanting to commemorate either of those two things (or … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged booze, Bride, cake, chipotle, different, government, Groom, idea, think, wedding | 1 Comment