I have come to study in Auckland, New Zealand. Am quite bored so indulged in some chitchatting with my hostel mates. One of them invites me to a pub and I decline. I am petrified, as have never been to one before.
Moreover, I am a teetotaler, what would I do in a pub – squat flies? But haven’t seen a single fly in NZ so far anyway.
My hostel mate insists that I join him on the way to the pub to enjoy some good music. I am skeptical but go anyway.
It’s a pub called Thirsty Dogs. About 15-20 people sit in a circle in the middle of the pub and sing and play instruments like violin, guitar, drums and the mouth organ. Most of them are well over 60 years of age. A couple of gentlemen are over 85. There are about 5 women players too. Each sings in turn.
The pub staff serves all kinds of liquor, and other beverages. While I was enjoying the music, I noticed a very well dressed young lady with a cup of coffee in hand, weaving her way through the tables and approaching mine.
The pub was full and there was hardly any place to sit. I thought I was being very polite and gracious so moved out and offered her a place to sit. The look on her face said it all. Everybody in the pub was smirking or suppressing a giggle.
She came to my adjoining table, gave them the cup of coffee and moved back to the bar. She was a waitress. Where is Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak when you need one?