I do a lot of travelling in my life as a singer of songs, teller of tales, donner of sparkly frocks. In and out of hotels in glamorous resort locations, sprinkling fairy dust on people's
Just out of shot are the rest of my family, our guide and two preppy young American men. I'm trying to decide whether they're lovers or friends. Regardless of the facts, I've invented an entire back story of romance and intrigue for them in the short time we've been riding along.
We're off to visit with an elderly local woman. She makes us tea and shows us how to make a hand broom (like a mini Samoan salu), shows us her family shrine and proudly outlines the elaborate family tree that adorns one of the walls.
She's never been on a plane and is fascinated about how we've flown from the other side of the planet in a pressurised metal tube and ended up in her home. Her family is now all in the big smoke and I think she lets the tourists visit because she enjoys the company. She doesn't need to travel. She is letting the world come to her, one tourist visit at a time.
Judging by the curiosity sparkling in her eyes, I think we're a holiday for her too.
Jackie Clarke stars in Respect, alongside Annie Crummer, Bella Kalolo, and Ria Hall, at the inaugural Te Tairawhiti Arts Festival in Gisborne from October 4-20. tetairawhitiartsfestival.nz