Dustin--fellow employee of Sealord, from Nelson, who nonchalantly mentioned he's taking a round-the-world trip next year (this is fairly normal for NZers, called an overseas expedition, or OE). When we eagerly questoined where he was heading, he mentioned Japan, Australia,& the U.S. As it's a good change of pace to talk about topics that i actually know something about, I inquired as to which state. His reply--Arkansas. --Arkansas, why? --I've got an uncle who lives there. (makes sense, someone to show you around & ply you w/ food & drink, right?). --Have you ever met him? --No. He's been in jail for the last 20 yrs (something to do w/ prescription drugs). --Jail!
Who goes to visit a relative you've never met, get 3 letters/year from him, when he's in jail, w/ no plans to visit his 7 children/your cousins?
Our other dinner companion, Go, a metrosexual from Japan w/ old-school Japanese/Asian mannerisms (akin to movie stereotypes), has been to the u.S. as well. What part? Iowa! Apparently, he didn't have a choice, that's just where his program sent him, poor guy.
