It's real. It's real. Today is the first day its all felt real. Today I had two connections with the southern hemisphere. First, Greta emailed the first possibilities of our new, second home together. It still seems, let's say unique, that we are even going to live together again. The fact that Greta simply answered an ad in the NOW boggles my mind. All the fun we've had and will have because of that little ad... Anyway, as I looked up apartments in places like Broadbeach and Chevron Island, I finally felt I would actually be there and make it my home for over a year... and very soon. All the beach apartments and duplexes have a very 50's beachy retro style. It'll be like living in the home of Major Nelson and Jeannie. I left it all in the completely capable hands of G, since she's the native. I can't wait to walk into my new Aussie home.
Next, was an update from the brother. Ken sent pictures of life for him in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It looks purely beautiful. Soft farms, wind warped rocks and fine, gold sand. He looks worn and happy. He also sent word to me to make any plans I like for our adventures in the land of the Maori, so I finally booked the hike I've been dying to do... The Routeburn Track. This trail is in the world heritage site of Te Wahipounamu - The Place of Greenstone or Fiordland National Park. It's an alpine hike - 32km long, which we'll do in 3 days. No too strenuous or fast. It swerves through the Hollyford Valley (created my massive glaciers) past mountain lakes, snow peaked mountains, and ancient beech forests. There are some very rare animals in this remote area - takahe - a plump flightless bird thought to be extinct, and the earth's only alpine parrot.
So, needless to say, I booked us to enter the Routeburn Track on Jan. 14th. We'll be sleeping in huts in the mountains for two nights. I can't wait to breathe that air.
So, its real. And I'm stoked. There is a complete calmness about only looking ahead. I've moved out of my Granby apartment and although its only been over a week yet it seems months have passed. I feel so different already. It happens so fast.
Windsor has been a culture shock enough. It's incredible that only a 4 hour drive away will present such a difference in lifestyle. You are forced to drive everywhere. Country noises can be deafening. And youth ends early here. Everyone seems shocked that I'm 28, which is flattering, but feels weird. I guess its because I'm not married with children yet. Almost every girl I'm working with has 4 and 5 year old children and they are all younger than me. What is it that separates the 20 something's of small town and big city? Are townies more aware of their mortality or are they just comfortable with getter older? Are city kids smart or just selfish?
Who knows? We're all gonna die. I just want to enjoy every last drop.
