Somewhere, somehow, somebody must have kicked you around some
Tell me why you want to lay there, revel in your abandon
Honey, it don't make no difference to me baby
Everybody has to fight to be free, you see
- Tom Petty
We bought a new car! Okay, we bought a used car. Yeah, yeah ... in reality, we bought a car shaped collection of dented metal with a motor in it. Still, it's a car.
Seems a bit extravagant, maybe. After all, my contract provided us with a perfectly functional new car. The problem is, the one they provided doesn't really fit our lifestyle. We do a lot of camping, tramping, and nursery runs/gardening. We like to haul our bikes around and go to the beach. Every now and then, we find that we need to catch a quick nap in our vehicle so we prefer a little extra room to stretch out in. When I signed my contract, I asked for a wagon or an SUV, preferably a 4x4 ... something that would allow us to get out and around with our adventures. What we got was a Suzuki Swift. Don't get me wrong, it's a great city car. It sips petrol - we went from Palmy to Cape Palliser, on to Wellington and back on less than one full tank. And it's really easy to park; in a pinch, we might be able to squeeze it into a dumpster unseen!
But I keep cruising
Can't stop, won't stop moving
-----
I never miss a beat,
I'm lightning on my feet
- Taylor Swift
Lightning on her feet she is not. Sadly, with the three of us and a couple of bags, Taylor just doesn't have what it takes. She tries, she really does, but going up the mountain passes I can't help but chant "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." and on the downside, "I knew I could! I knew I could! I knew I could! I knew I could!"
She don't mind. She's short and skinny, but she's strong.
Buying a car in New Zealand was a really interesting process. Like anywhere else, there are used car lots, car auction sites, and private listings in the paper and online. In Palmerston North there is also a city parking lot where private sellers can park their cars with a listing. As we were preparing to buy, we kept cruising the lot looking to see what was on offer. In the end, I almost bought something from an auction site unseen and without a test drive. Just before I did, Kari cruised the lot one last time and sent me photos of a car that had just shown up.
It's a 1996 Nissan Terrano (Pathfinder in the U.S. and Canada) with a standard transmission and a lot of km's on the odometer, but it's a 4x4 diesel and had just recently passed a Warrant Of Fitness. I spoke with the mechanics who service the hospital motor-pool and for a nominal fee they agreed to take a look at it for me. Despite the dents, dings, scrapes, and re-welds, the car is surprisingly mechanically sound. It's not pretty and lots of plastic bits and pieces are broken or missing. I got it cheap for a reason (4 new tyres weren't much less than what I paid for the vehicle itself), and that suits us just fine. When we leave here in 8 months, I'm not going to be upset if we can't re-sell it for much.
This story isn't really about buying a car, though; it's about who we bought the car from and the society we live in.
It's a 1996 Nissan Terrano (Pathfinder in the U.S. and Canada) with a standard transmission and a lot of km's on the odometer, but it's a 4x4 diesel and had just recently passed a Warrant Of Fitness. I spoke with the mechanics who service the hospital motor-pool and for a nominal fee they agreed to take a look at it for me. Despite the dents, dings, scrapes, and re-welds, the car is surprisingly mechanically sound. It's not pretty and lots of plastic bits and pieces are broken or missing. I got it cheap for a reason (4 new tyres weren't much less than what I paid for the vehicle itself), and that suits us just fine. When we leave here in 8 months, I'm not going to be upset if we can't re-sell it for much.
This story isn't really about buying a car, though; it's about who we bought the car from and the society we live in.
New Zealand has led the rest of the world in establishing the rights of its citizens in several important ways. In 1893, New Zealand was the first country to establish universal suffrage, and in 1899 was the first country to establish the 8-hour work day. The Old Age Pension Act was signed in 1898 and was only the second such act in the world behind Germany (1889). Unfortunately, like many countries, New Zealand doesn't always live up to its highest ideals.
The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and Maori chiefs, is the founding document for relations between Maori and the Crown. It gave the British sovereignty over New Zealand and recognised Maori ownership of their lands and other properties, in addition to giving Maori the rights of British subjects. It was written in two languages and the two versions differ in significant ways. As a result, there has been disagreement surrounding what the Treaty actually entails. The Waitangi Tribunal, a permanent commission of inquiry, was formed in 1975 to research breaches of the Treaty and suggest resolutions.
New Zealand has an annual refugee quota of 750 people and they have been under public pressure, both at home and abroad, to expand this.
Caveat - I am unable to source raw data to confirm the validity of this information
We bought our car from an Afghan refugee. No, really ...
I didn't know he was a refugee when we first met. I called the number posted for the car and spoke with a very pleasant man. We agreed on a time to meet and take the car for a test drive. The car seemed to drive well and the price was right, so I was definitely interested. My knowledge of internal combustion engines and the machinery surrounding them is limited at best, so I wanted to have the car inspected by a mechanic before I bought it. We arranged to drop the car off at the shop and I offered to buy him a coffee. Sitting in the coffee shop, he told me his story.
He fled Afghanistan, making the dangerous journey through South Asia and eventually settling in Indonesia. From Indonesia, he registered for refugee status in Australia. It took a few years, but he was eventually accepted to apply as a refugee in Australia. Unfortunately, as part of a background check, it was found that he was friends with an illegal money launderer, scuttling his chances. In desperation, he attempted a dangerous boat crossing to Australia hoping to land there and claim asylum. He was caught and returned to Indonesia. This essentially ended any hope of ever making it to Australia legally.
He put his head down and went to work as a baker in Indonesia where he met his future wife, eventually got married and had a child. Along the way, he applied to New Zealand but was told that since he was married to an Indonesian he would need to remain there. He continued to work hard in Indonesia and became an advocate for refugees there. His case was featured in a documentary, bringing his situation to the attention of an advocate who went to bat for him. After almost 10 years in Indonesia, he and his family were awarded a spot in New Zealand. In New Zealand, he has taken whatever work he can get. At one point, he was collecting feral sheep and cattle from the bush, hard and dangerous work. His talent and passion is as a "panel beater" (auto body-shop) and he is currently looking for employment in that field. He also continues to advocate for other refugees.
I have always taken pride in my resilience in the face of adversity, but the reality is that my life has been pretty charmed without any real hardship. I sat in amazement listening to this man's story and I couldn't imagine the devastation he fled and the fear he must have experienced. We talk a lot about "heroes" and "bravery" in our culture. The quiet, soft-spoken, humble man with whom I was sharing a coffee was bravery personified.
Kari ...
I didn't know he was a refugee when we first met. I called the number posted for the car and spoke with a very pleasant man. We agreed on a time to meet and take the car for a test drive. The car seemed to drive well and the price was right, so I was definitely interested. My knowledge of internal combustion engines and the machinery surrounding them is limited at best, so I wanted to have the car inspected by a mechanic before I bought it. We arranged to drop the car off at the shop and I offered to buy him a coffee. Sitting in the coffee shop, he told me his story.
He fled Afghanistan, making the dangerous journey through South Asia and eventually settling in Indonesia. From Indonesia, he registered for refugee status in Australia. It took a few years, but he was eventually accepted to apply as a refugee in Australia. Unfortunately, as part of a background check, it was found that he was friends with an illegal money launderer, scuttling his chances. In desperation, he attempted a dangerous boat crossing to Australia hoping to land there and claim asylum. He was caught and returned to Indonesia. This essentially ended any hope of ever making it to Australia legally.
He put his head down and went to work as a baker in Indonesia where he met his future wife, eventually got married and had a child. Along the way, he applied to New Zealand but was told that since he was married to an Indonesian he would need to remain there. He continued to work hard in Indonesia and became an advocate for refugees there. His case was featured in a documentary, bringing his situation to the attention of an advocate who went to bat for him. After almost 10 years in Indonesia, he and his family were awarded a spot in New Zealand. In New Zealand, he has taken whatever work he can get. At one point, he was collecting feral sheep and cattle from the bush, hard and dangerous work. His talent and passion is as a "panel beater" (auto body-shop) and he is currently looking for employment in that field. He also continues to advocate for other refugees.
I have always taken pride in my resilience in the face of adversity, but the reality is that my life has been pretty charmed without any real hardship. I sat in amazement listening to this man's story and I couldn't imagine the devastation he fled and the fear he must have experienced. We talk a lot about "heroes" and "bravery" in our culture. The quiet, soft-spoken, humble man with whom I was sharing a coffee was bravery personified.
Kari ...
During my childhood, a priority for my parents was to expose my brother and me to different cultures This came with some ease, since we grew up in Houston, Texas, a sprawling metropolis with never ending culture and diverse ethnic groups. To supplement exposure at home, we traveled. It wasn't always international travel, as you can travel from one region to the next domestically and have a vastly different experience of the culture of that region. This exposure is very important and imperative to me as we raise Little H. Those who know us well know that we value traveling outside of our "bubble" and seeking unique opportunities within our "bubble".
One of the more important reasons driving our adventure in New Zealand is our desire for that exposure, not only for Little H, but for Grant and me, as we continue to learn and grow. Little did I know that Palmerston North would be a banquet for diversity; not just with the mix of Maori and European Kiwis, but with the influx of numerous ethnic groups drawn to the city for Massey University and the pockets of refugees that New Zealand has graciously taken under wing.
Since I am not working during this year abroad, I have sought out opportunities to meet and learn from the seemingly unlimited, and most times free, community events and workshops sponsored and supported by the city. On one such outing, Little H and I went on a field trip to a local environmental centre. With the exception of about ten others, the chartered bus was full of refugees from Bhutan, Syria, and Afghanistan. Most of them didn't speak English, and I also didn't speak their language. The glorious and uplifting thing about this is that it didn't matter. Laughter, smiling and experiencing a day together doesn't need verbal communication. It was one of the best experiences I have had here.
Via Facebook, which those who know me would attest to my constant communication, dare I say addiction, I have kept in contact with the environmental centre's organizer and some of the local organizations that support refugee resettlement. This is how I learned about the Valentine's Day dinner to support the Afghanistan refugee community here. We are not ones to celebrate this overly commercialized day anyway, so I thought it was a great way to support the community and expose Little H to even more diversity. I couldn't have been more proud of her. She didn't hesitate to try the various courses offered that evening and continually commented and asked questions about the dress, food, and overall culture of the Afghans who planned, prepared, cooked and served our meal. We even saw and spoke to familiar faces and friends who we have met during other social interactions around the city.
Travel and exposure to those who are different from you is imperative. I believe it develops altruism and helps fend off egocentrism. Understanding and acknowledging the differences that make up this beautiful, and sometimes ugly world, helps cultivate an open mind. This is what I want for Little H. Always seek out those who are different and discover ways to integrate and accept those differences, all the while forming stronger bonds with your brothers and sisters of this world.
We had a "Meet The Teacher" pool party and sausage sizzle at Little Highstead's school the same night as the dinner (I guess Valentine's Day isn't that big of a deal here), so we were a little late to the church. Most of the tables were pretty full but we spotted some empty seats and wound our way over to them. As we sat down and I turned to say "hello" to everyone else at the table, I found myself face to face with the man from whom I had just purchased a car. He has continued his work advocating for and helping refugees here in Palmy, and he was invited to provide some of the evening's entertainment. While we were eating, he was up on stage playing an ektara and singing.
Ultimately, this was a fundraiser for the Manawatu Reuniting Refugee Family Trust. It's an organization that provides money for former refugees already resettled in our area and helps them bring immediate family members to New Zealand. At the end of the night, we didn't go home empty handed; we bid on, and won, a tasty bottle of New Zealand wine that we plan to share with my brother and SIL when they come to visit in a few weeks.
Ka kite ano ...
Ultimately, this was a fundraiser for the Manawatu Reuniting Refugee Family Trust. It's an organization that provides money for former refugees already resettled in our area and helps them bring immediate family members to New Zealand. At the end of the night, we didn't go home empty handed; we bid on, and won, a tasty bottle of New Zealand wine that we plan to share with my brother and SIL when they come to visit in a few weeks.
Ka kite ano ...
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRobert Garcia Remmert