From Taupo, three days ago, we traveled up to Hamilton to meet the first lookers at our van. We stayed overnight there and the following day met them. They were a nice elderly couple and we brought the van to their son who was a panelbeater (that's the term for auto body worker here). He had a look and estimated that to fix all of the unseen rust around the front pillars (remember the iceberg) would cost about $4,000 NZD. He also said there was a slight petrol (gasoline) leak that he could smell, but couldn't see. Otherwise he said for its age it was really good looking. So that was promising.
After that we back-tracked a bit to get to our other looker in Matamata. We were in Matamata (which was where they filmed the Shire in Lord of the Rings) showing a potential buyer the Beast, and in the bathroom stall was this sign: 
I thought it was hilarious and didn't understand it at all so I took a picture. When I showed it to Ayu she knew exactly what it meant - evidently because the place is a hot spot for Asian tourists - many of whom are used to squatting over a ground-level toilet - means they do the same on a regular toilet! I was shocked to say the least (I don't even know how you could balance up there)!
Afterwards, we continued up to Auckland taking a different route than normally, and stayed on the East side two nights ago. Yesterday we met a third looker on the West side, and now we're back in Auckland city awaiting the end of our auction. Right now the bidding is up to $4,010 (but there is still 6 more hours). Stay tuned!note from thewaternymph: not all asians stand on toilets!!! and this is slowly changing. although having said that, sit down toilets aren't exactly the most hygienic either. the whole toilet concept is archaic to say the least. we need to come up with something better.
3 comments:
not asians, muslims. they refuse to place their butts on the same place that an infidel has sat. it stems from the Islam creed of hatred and bigotry towards outsiders.
hello anonymous. thanks for visiting our blog.
that is a pretty serious accusation you just made. i take offense at that, being muslim myself. therefore, i am probably in a good position to safely assume that you have neither had much exposure nor experience with muslims or islam in general. unless of course your only knowledge of islam comes from your own personal experience of rubbing noses or shoulders with militant extremists who use religion as an excuse to wage bloody war against the 'infidel'. which if that is the case, then i suppose that quite explains your opinion.
but whatever the case is, you are entitled to your opinion and i shall practise no censorship on your comments.
however, i am also entitled to mine. therefore in response to your comment...firstly, ground-level squat toilets are very common throughout all of asia, and this includes east asia where islam is a minority religion and does not play a strong cultural role. please look this up. or travel more. i think it might do some good.
secondly, islamic creed does not breed hatred or bigotry towards outsiders. in fact, islam accepts religious pluralism and diversity. god has made us of different paths and lives so that we may learn from one another. this is what islam teaches me.
hatred and bigotry does not belong to a single religion. to say it does is a finger-pointing, prejudiced act in itself. hatred, bigotry and prejudice belong to all of mankind and our flaws.
please feel free to email me if you wish to discuss this further. in a responsible manner that is. i am open to useful discussion, but not to purposeful slander. if that doesn't breed hatred and bigotry, i don't know what does.
Healthyyums, does this mean you're sorry for getting your tinkle on the seat?
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