September 27th- Broadway Kayak
Holy cow what a day that was.
Hi friends, yesterday was a day I’ll remember for quite a while.
I started off the day in my typical way, coffee a quick brekky and a quick stop at the best view from a public toilet in Australia. Headed down to my kayak adventure, did some Duolingo and then met Melinda.
Little did we know how the day would go for us. We were excited- a trip that was just the two of us versus the water. As we got about half way through the journey I was getting a little hot and took off my coat.
Then I realized the waterproof bag that had my phone in it wasn’t with me anymore.
Quick panic we both had, searching all around for it. Then the realization of two things, 1- it’s back at the launch and I just didn’t pack it or 2- she’s in the water and with the current of the river, she’s likely not coming back.
Melinda offered me two options, go back and look for it or have the experience and worry about it later.
I chose to worry about it later, it’s a phone, I had my purse and keys, I wanted the experience.
We got to talk about a lot, a three hour trip with just the two of us. Once we got back, her husband Johan and son were there. Going to keep the kids names out of it as they are under 18 and want to be respectful of their privacy.
Johan helped me try to log into iCloud to see if it was in the water or if someone had found the bag and moved it.
It was unfortunately disconnected and last known location was in the water.
I emailed my sister and then went with Johan to a store, bought my first souvenir and headed back to their home.
My sister stayed up until a little past midnight to help us navigate the US side and the phone was back to working.
My stay was about 2.5 hours away knowing I’d stop on the way and with the animals at night here, some of the roads being unpaved and in the mountains, they offered for me to stay with them.
I got to meet their two daughters as well, spent most of the evening sharing hard to pronounce cities that we’ve been to, talking about health, all the things. Then we headed to dinner, and really got to enjoy learning more about these lovely, feral people.
Jokes, laughs, learning of culture and teasing were all had in great fun. I even got to meet a dog called Rio who reminded me much of Bo. It made me miss home a bit.
I can’t put it into words how thankful I am to have came across this family, technologically is replaceable and so are all things. But the people we meet are not, it was a great reminder for me to slow down, enjoy the experience, the people I’m with and don’t be so worried about my phone. The pictures will happen, the memories I make here are way more important.
Headed into the mountains today and then over to Keira and Ben’s! Cannot wait to see you. See you TOMORROW!!
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