Wellington has an interesting beach, it is basically a beach from another part of the country that has been imported (and continues to be re-imported to the city every time a storm washes it away). Now we have a beach that resembles some holiday resort bam smack in the middle of our city and about a one minute walk from my house.

We have this funny ad for icecream about ‘togs’ (nz word for swimming suit) and ‘undies’ and where it is appropriate to wear togs and when they are like undies (i.e if you catch a bus wearing your togs, it’s like you’re nearly nude, but it’s totally fine to strip off AS LONG as there is sand in the vicinity). The Wellington beach poses an interesting problem for us city dwellers who would normally be fully clothed but now can sunbathe like we’re on holiday. The beach has been in existence for 3 or so years now and it’s only just getting not-weird to use it.

Anyhoo, I was on this beach, which is actually totally awesome and seemingly exempt from the city wide liquor ban in public spaces (people tether their beer bottles in the surf to keep them cool), when some guy grabbed his guitar and burst into an impromptu and totally-made-up-on-the-spot song about how much he loves beer.

Normally, when you are on the beach, you are in groups with your own private conversations and beer stashes. This guy sang really loudly and really well and within 2 minutes people were discreetly laughing at his funny song. Within three, half the beach was clapping along and he’d decided to call in help from a random girl who was playing soccer nearby. By the time he concluded his little concert, we were one united beach.

I love that perfect mix of culture, and timing and that one person who connects people and creates something really cool… Even if it only lasts 5 minutes. There seem to be a few of those people hovering around Wellington at the moment, I feel like we’re onto something great.

And the rest of the world.. Aren’t you totally jealous of where we live? Man I LOVE this city!