M-whY

"Hell's Gate, obviously," he simmered, looking none too happy at the delay. He checked his watch. "Let's hurry this up. Mrs. Devil is making my favorite oysters recipe tonight. Name!"

"Fried or boiled?"

He ignored my question. I could see he wasn't amused by tactics. I could literally see the steam rising from his ears. Or maybe he's always like that.

I tried a different angle. "At least you can tell me why I'm here?"

"Fair enough. But I'll need your name for that."

I gave him my name and a computer appeared out of nowhere. I glanced quizzically at the ink and pen. "Just for show," he explained. Halfway through, Windows XP crashed. I heard him say under his breath, "F*cking computer. Just wait til I get Bill Gates down here."

He finally pulled up my record. "Here we go. Let's see, I have you down for walking around the house with muddy shoes, peeing on the toilet seat, and using too much hot water when you shower."

"That's it? Aren't you being a bit picky? Maybe you're too stressed from work. Perhaps you should take a vacation?" I suggested.

He laughed. "And where am I supposed to go down here? I can't go skiing, that's for sure."

"You should go travel. See new things. Like me. I'm sure there are parts of hell you haven't seen before."

He peered at me. "Are you really travelling?" I nodded. "I wish I could do what you're doing. But instead I'm stuck in front of this computer all day long," he sighed. Again, he checked his watch. "Five minutes til it's time to go home. We're not going to finish your papers today anyways. Tell you what. I approve of your trip. So I'm going to let you go. On one condition."

"What's that?"

"That you take plenty of pictures."

"Will do!"

My vision blurred, and then all went black. I woke up to find myself back in my hostel dorm.

And so the journey continues.

Pictures taken in Rotorua, at Wai-O-Tapo Thermal Wonderland and Hell's Gate.

Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!