BIG things in a SMALL world #wattys2017

•31

15 hours and 2 cross overs later we arrive at Auckland airport, I would jump with excitement but I am to tired

"Which way to the hotel Michael I am beat" Michelle stagers

"No hotel Ms America you all will be staying with my brother, I haven't seen him in years and he has big house. Come on"

Mama ushers us into a maxi cab and we begin our 2 hour joinery home.
I wake up a little while later before we reach the familiar smell of sulphur, everything looks just as it was and I know I'm home

"I can't wait to see their reactions once we enter the gates" Michael chuckles

The gates of Rotorua (our hometown) greet us with a warrior man on top of each pillar guarding the spirit of our city and our people.

"In three, two. One" Michael chants

We pass the gates and the wafting smell of sulphur hit our nostrils

"What the fudge is that smell" Michelle shouts

"I think Michael ripped one off again" Megan says

"HEY!" Michael shouts and I laugh

*

We make it to Uncle Marks house and pack our things away, Mama has told the whole neighbour Michael is home so we are going to have a big feast for him

I take the girls down the the river behind the house and show them the tree house Michael and Uncle mark made for me when I was 6.

"Aaah what the hell is that thing" Megan screeches

"That my dear friend is a fresh water eel, they are delish" I say

"Ew it's so creepy looking" she says

"We eat those"

"What? Why the hell would you eat that?"

"Well my ancestors have hunted those creatures for a very long time! The best way to eat them is smoked" mmm

"No thank you" she mutters

I'm not about to tell her we'll most likely be eating one at dinner time, I figure if she doesn't know then it shouldn't bother her

Mama is back in her element cooking and preparing food for later, the girls try to help but end up making a mess, Mama is not happy and kicks them out

"What are we going to do now?" Whines Lucy

"It's so cold here" whines Megan

"Where are all the hot natives?" Lucy asks

"Why is there-"

I cut them off

"Stop ya bloody whining and follow me"

I lead the girls up stairs and put on a pair on jean shorts

"One it's the middle of summer, and two we are going to the lakes, where there will be plenty of native men, but watch out for the native ladies.. they can get a little territorial"

We pack everything we need for a few hours up at the lakes. Michael ops to drive us of corse, a tradition of ours that almost everyone has when they make there way to the lakes is winding down the window and listening to either Bob Marley or UB40 songs

We reach the second lake which Michael knows is my favourite, the girls get out of the car, I'm about to when my phone goes off

"Hello" I whisper

"Anna" he thick voice burns through me

"Yes Mr Dawson"

"Anna please I'm sorry"

I close my eyes and inwardly sigh

"What could I do for you Mr Dawson?" I ask him nicely

"Please Annabelle, come home"

"Sorry Mr Dawson but I am home" and with that I hang up and turn my phone off and join the girls for a swim