A Second Digression

"Wagdood!  I'm sending you to Hamilton.  You're starting to act like some care-free fool.  Need to see some degree of responsibility from you...that's why you are here!" Odysseus has a direct manner of speech, again in a tragic sort of way.  Since arriving in New Zealand, Wagdood had been running around the bush, attending to geographic land formations, admiring flora and fauna, and kissing his wife on occasion.  Although Odysseus sensed the NZ epic would recreate Wagdood, the metamorphosis could not occur this soon.  Wagdood's lot remained work, not play.

"Hamilton has a fine hospital.  You get back to being what you do.  Go learn the ways of the Commonwealth medicine.  Get serious.  Take those hiking boots off.  Take the Blonde Woman with you, again.  Penelope and I need some alone time.  I need space, some quiet...that Blonde Woman talks to everybody.  And, by the way, what's your first name?"  Odysseus implored.

"Tom"

"Oh.....too bad.  Guess it fits your bland nature.  Well, go to Hamilton, Wagdood.  There's a room for the next four nights.  Try to come back to reality---you're easier to handle.  Less antagonistic.  Less independent.  Less smiley."

Off to Hamilton, NZ they went.  Following the map and driving through scenic country their senses could not process fast enough,  they arrived in little more than 90 minutes.

Hamilton, a small city of about 150,000 people.  It serves as the tertiary health care center for the region.  No other hospitals in the city.  The region included the town of Thames.  The doctor met several new colleagues and received his indoctrination into New Zealand health care.  Names of medications were different.  Lab data had different units.  Charting different.  Rounding different.  People suffering appeared the same.  He figured the suffering as the commonality in his experience and begin from that point.

Work days were relatively short leaving 'non-work' time.  The Blonde Woman ran non-work interference setting out for the Hamilton gardens, the art and history museums, and most importantly paid homage to the statue of Riff-Raff.  Riff-Raff, lead character in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, is the creation of Richard O'Brien, native of Hamilton.  The two explorers felt their knees shake, rattle and roll at the monument.  Careful not to approach too closely for fear they would be left in their under ware doing the ' Time Warp ', the two sought new eating establishments.  A festive micro-brewery, an Indian and a Turkish restaurant sufficed.  The beer was good at the brewery.  The beer at the Turkish place seemed to be cross between Grain Belt in bottle and Grain Belt in cans.  The food, served in phallic shaped dish met expectations.

Without rules from Odysseus, but simply guidelines they continues some degree of exploration with a touch of frivolity.  Then, they returned to their room.....