HOSTING Podcast

Strawberry fields forever, plans for the ultimate wedding and a sad farewell. All good things must come to and end and just so, all good hosts must speed their guests safe to home. In this final episode, Guy and Carlo learn that friendship conquers all, no matter the cost, no matter the casualties. Keep on hosting, keep on riding, keep on living, baby. 

The forgotten history of Basketball, the satisfaction of self-directed tours and the true meaning of hosting. They say there are no enemies at the bottom of a bottle shared; even the greatest wrong, the vilest slight, the most vicious blow can be forgiven, if we open our hearts, to love. Guy and Carlo find that just a revenge is best served cold, friendship, is warm welcome.

A trip to visit Lady Liberty herself. Carlo believes the New York City ports are an approximation of Sydney harbour because the boys took a ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty. It is clearly not modelled on York - perhaps instead it should be called Harbour Town or New Harbour Town. Guy and Carlo discuss possible new names for New York and Carlo is blown away by the size of the Statue “Very tall”.

How to eat a horse, the origins of Seinfeld and one heck of noise from a human being, they say there’s always magic in the air on Broadway. Guy and Carlo have stared deep into the pit of despair, the yawning maw of human suffering from which no light, nor joy escapes but the stars are always brightest from the bottom of the well. Sometimes, you have to walk through the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune to realise that fortune itself is a matter of perspective.

The progress of a nation, the passengers of the RMS Titanic and a huge update on the fate of Guy and Carlo’s excellent prank, the city of New York certainly does not fail to deliver. Only through hosting do we understand the vulnerability of the guest. Only through being a guest do we understand the responsibility of the host. Only when we understand both halves of the equation can we truly learn the true meaning of hosting.

The Empire State Building, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-style sleeping arrangements and a prank that might just endear Guy and Carlo to their American friends, only through a shared understanding, a shared goal can the ill fates of yesteryear be repaired. Only through community can the horrors of the past be forgotten. Guy and Carlo have seen and done some terrible things to each other but maybe, just maybe, they’re finally starting to see the world from the same side of the coin.

The beauty of American-made sandwiches, the power of lists and a hilarious prank involving a very special ring, Guy and Carlo are reunited in the Auckland of the North, New York City. A new city, a new hemisphere, two antipodean friends on the wrong side of the globe. Might bygones stay bygones? Can the magic of hosting create a new, stronger bond of friendship? Can something beautiful be forged in the fires of the city that never sleeps?

I know it is ending. It has to be ending because my arm says so. I have made a bad decision. Whoever is reading this must know I have made a mistake in coming here.  

I don't know what any of these words mean. Everything has lost meaning. I miss New Zealand.  

It feels like there is a lot more planning than holidaying happening. I am feeling quite frail but luckily Carlo is taking a lot of notes and helping me out to get around. We took two trips outside today.  

How many tears are in a bottle of gin? I can no longer tell what is real and what isn't. Carlo assures me we went to the beach today but everything is dry.  

I seem to be struggling with the climate or the time difference, I am constantly very tired. Carlo by all accounts seems to be a gracious host (fixing my watch etc) but we seem to be having trouble getting on the same page. It feels like the trip is getting away from me.

Having a little trouble keeping track of time but Carlo seems to be a very genuine and well intentioned host. My body clock has gone haywire, still haven't done anything on the tourism list but we've got a whole week to look forward to! I am very tired.

All is forgiven! It seems silly how nervous I was. Great first day with Carlo, very generous. Few cultural oddities (Australia Tourism pays everyone to act!?) but that is by the by. Happy to be here, excited for the week.

Hello listener! We hope you've had a happy new year. Sadly, there won't be any more HOSTING for the forseeable but here's a sample of some of the other shows you may not have heard yet...

Dear Diary, Homeward bound and I would be lying if I said I was happy to be leaving, mostly due medical advice that I shouldn't travel. A sad morning, an early start, suspicious packages and in just a few moments Guy and I will make our way to the airport. Aotearoa, it's been an adventure. Love, A truely changed Carlo Music credit: Talk Samba (Parliamo un pò) by Boom Boom Beckett

Dear Diary, A new best friend has certainly brought a glimmer of joy into my life, though with every silver lining, there is still a cloud. Sampling Guy's homebrew certainly proved more risky than expected and unexpected financial solution, while welcome, also raises questions about family history. A bittersweet day, but sweeter than most so far. Love, albeit cautious, Carlo. Trailer: The Worst Idea of All Time Music credit: Talk Samba (Parliamo un pò) by Boom Boom Beckett

Dear Diary, A change of fortune and a new lease on life! Medical breakthroughs, a trip to the beach and a lesson in compound interest. With a new resolve I go into the second half of the trip with a great sense of purpose a broader outlook on New Zealand and indeed, New Zealanders. Trailer: The Male Gayz Music credit: Talk Samba (Parliamo un pò) by Boom Boom Beckett

Dear Diary I feel as if I am fading away on the wind as I watch Guy and his well dressed friends from the window of my room, made cell. Food poisoning is to be expected in overseas travel but it still comes as a shock, much like the traditional "water hazing" I was forced to endure this morning. I fear to sleep, for when the waking day becomes nightmare, what horrors wait in sleep? Love, if I even exists, Carlo Trailer: The Worst Idea of All Time Music credit: Talk Samba (Parliamo un pò) by Boom Boom Beckett

Dear Diary, Last night was one of the most emotionally difficult and indeed, physiologically damaging moments in my life. A lamb's life was wasted and a a familial relationship was cut off in its infancy. Physical distress should also be acknowledged and I now move on in life forever changed, forever scarred. All for the price of 9 tins of rip and dip. Love, for you appear now my only friend Carlo Trailer: Walk Out Boys Music credit: Talk Samba (Parliamo un pò) by Boom Boom Beckett

Dear Diary Why are there so many New Zealanders? Why are they here? Why am I learning about their presence for the first time now? These are just some of the questions I asked myself as we trekked through Auckland's most vibrant shopping plaza, the Great North Road. Perhaps Guy can ellucidate further on this as we get to know each other better. Love, your only other Austrlaian voice in a sea of strange vowels Carlo Trailer: The Male Gayz Music credit: Talk Samba (Parliamo un pò) by Boom Boom Beckett

Dear Diary, I would not say I have been "subjected" to my first 12 hours in New Zealand but a degree of unwillingness must indeed be stressed. An egg breakfast made entirely of New Zeland produce, a cutlery rental and a great deal of confusion about the manner of which and the nature of where one might use or find a toilet seem to be just the begginings of a daunting uphill climb. They wouldn't even let me make my own cheese on the plane. Love Carlo Trailer: Boners of The Heart Music credit: Talk Samba (Parliamo un pò) by Boom Boom Beckett