Saturday, June 27, 2015

The beach, the boat and the banter

It didn't even take 24 hours at Fiji Beachouse, and I was already starting to feel like a footloose and fancy-free traveler again.

The first morning I woke up, I found myself sat around a table taking in the ocean views deep in conversation with a combination of practitioners here on a workshop about Chinese medicine along with some volunteers on a break from Green Peace's boat "Rainbow Warrior". I love meeting people from all walks of life, especially those doing things I find fascinating. The Beachouse seems to attract these types of people.

While the vast majority of the occupants are 20 somethings stoping over during their travels around the world, there's also a nice mix of people our age, some older and even some families. Let's just say meal time conversation is always dynamic.

Mick's boat is coming along nicely. He's making good time considering the fact that some of the most important materials needed took a couple of extra weeks to arrive. About 2 weeks ago, he'd finally found and paid for 8 pieces of good quality plywood. He waited patiently for the ply to be delivered only to find out that 6 of the 8 pieces had been sold a second time to a buyer with cash and way to transport the goods! Luckily, he found some replacements! Lesson learned. Bring cash...take today!

We feel so very fortunate for this amazing situation in which we have found ourselves. It's just so easy here. We have no dishes to do. No meals to cook. Not even laundry to wash! It's like taking an all expenses paid break from the hum-drum of everyday life! Everyone has taken us in quickly and we feel like we are establishing some shallow roots here for the time being.

The weather has left a bit to be desired to be honest. Most days so far have been overcast and a bit rainy, but a least it's warm and tropical...still beats the brutal cold of Wanaka right now so we can't complain too much!

We've been out on the boat the last couple of days and Mick has been surfing and I've been taking photos and fishing. We caught a couple of fish and fed our new found friends fish and chips the night before last. It was a nice feeling to be able to provide something special for them.

A few of the friends we have made through the week have left today. There are 4 or 5 that are here long term so we're getting to know them a bit better which is nice. It's a transient place indeed, but it's kind of nice to have a surprise mixed bag of visitors every few days. Definitely keeps it interesting!!

We had a nice 2 hour Sunday morning chat about politics, the economy and climate change. All topics that are so interesting to discuss with people from all countries and walks of life. So far so fun. Live music tonight...can't wait!






Friday, June 26, 2015

What home feels like

My heart is full. What a beautiful whirlwind of travel it has been over the last 4 weeks. Spending time with family and close friends in my home country is always so incredibly soul fulfilling. I am continuously amazed at the amount of time and effort my loved ones put in to make my time at home so special each time I make the journey back. 

This past trip I felt particularly fortunate as I found myself jetting around from place to place spending beautiful quality time with my nearest and dearest. Whether it was extended weekends on the beach or just an afternoon on a sunny deck, I feel as though I have been refilled and once again. My cup overfloweth. 

I don't have too many photos of these moments, but they are all painted so clearly in my mind. 
  • Listening to my beautiful sister play music to brighten the lives and calm the souls of young and old and being present to witness her explore and grow into the best version of herself.
  • Attending the wedding of my fantastic cousin and getting to be a part of a very special day in his life along with my dad and sister sharing love and laughter with my dad's family. 
  • Wandering the streets of Portland Maine trolling through thrift stores with my girls and sharing our excitement over treasures we found.
  • Watching some lobstermen bring in their haul of fresh lobsters at Marshfield harbor and finding a few gorgeous specimens on my plate to enjoy with my mom and Auntie.
  • Eating tunafish sandwiches on a hot sunny day at the beach with my bestie and watching her girls dance around without a care in the world trying to imitate my Michael Jackson moves.
  • Reconnecting with Sarah and Sherm and meeting the little man in their lives and recognizing something in him so familiar, so beautiful and humbling. Knowing that he is the leader of the next generation of Team Fun.
  • Seeing my beautiful niece grow into a young woman and share so many similarities to my sister and I. She is the perfect blend of us both.
  • Picking the brains of my extended family to begin piecing together my heritage and genealogy to better understand where I came from and where I might be heading.
  • Sitting on the sun porch in the morning with a steaming cup of coffee soaking up the knowledge of my dear Nancy while she meanders around all of the pertinent questions which she just somehow knows are the right ones to ask. 
  • Sharing a bed with my Auntie and feeling connected to her again without having to say a word.
  • Understanding and witnessing first-hand the yearning for change and the determination it takes to make it happen from my dear friends Richie and Alison and being overwhelmingly excited for them in their next adventure.
  • Seeing my immediate family all together once again to share a beautiful Father's Day breakfast. (Ok, this one I really wish I had a picture of!) 
These are some of the moments that I will never forget. This is why it is important to come home and reconnect with the part of you that can sometimes fade. Rediscovering my soul's imprint and the origins from which it came. We need only a few weeks to sharpen that image and take it along for the next journey. It is grounding. This is what home feels like.