I picked this photo for Flashback Friday because it couldn’t be more different from the usual cute baby shots. If you haven’t clicked already, the fellow in front is holding a mahoosive armful of marijuana. Look closer and you’ll spot me behind him (I’m not a hunchback with three arms BTW – there’s actually someone else standing behind me.)
Don’t worry, I’m not about to confess to a previous life as a drug smuggler. Around 15-ish years ago I was still living in New Zealand, and had set up a freelance publishing company with a great photographer friend of mine.
We were privileged enough to be granted permission to tail the New Zealand Police on several different operations, including a cannabis recovery in the Coromandel region.
We got to do lots of cool things, like raid a drug dealer’s house, and go up in a plane looking for pot crops in the bush below, and pull up someone’s carefully cultivated plantation (hence the photo above).
On other assignments we got to tag along with the riot police on New Year’s Eve, and accompany the dive squad look on a rescue mission.
It was brilliant fun, and I miss those daredevil days when I could do anything I wanted, without worrying about leaving my kids motherless! Ah well, it’s another story to tell them when they’re older to prove that Mum’s life was exciting, once upon a time!!
Wow! What an exciting job that must have been! So many opportunities to see that so many of us wouldn’t! Great photo with a fantastic story behind it x
oooh yes v exciting!! Loved New Zealand when we visited there, although I went everywhere except Christchurch. Can’t believe the terrible earthquake news, we have friends there but fortunately they’re OK. Hoepfully we can visit with the girls when things have recovered a bit in a few years time. But back to your pic, brilliant!!
Wow! That IS a mahoosive wad of pot! Goodness me! You look very blonde as well…what a cool memory of time gone by. I’m sure you didn’t borrow any of that pot either! 😉
Thanks lovely!
Karin
for a second there I thought you were the “Nancy Botwin” of NZ! (Have you seen Weeds?!)
and I know its not the right place to comment, but I adore Lucia’s rocker chic image, I want those boots!! Maria x