Getting out of the city proved to be a bit harder than expected. Fleur's map reading skills and Arthur's sense of direction (and Kathi and my backseat driving) led us to the docklands and then to a dead end behind a semi-truck. Luckily, when we asked the quasi-deaf, Aussie old man driver of the truck for directions, he graciously offered us to follow him because he was heading the same way.
So we followed him... around the building, past the docklands, and onto the freeway towards Bendigo? Bendigo!? Right when I was beginning to realize that Bendigo was inland and the opposite direction, I saw something that confirmed my suspicions: a sign for the M1 free way (the one we wanted to be on) slowly slipping out of eyesight behind us... I was sure this man who we trailed was out of his mind. Arthur trusted him because he was Aussie. Fleur was with me and I'm pretty sure Kathi was just laughing at all of us. So, we continued on our likely 'wild-goose chase' of a mission...
After about ten minutes we were all in accordance: this old fart was trying to either lead us into the outback or take us on some ridiculously localized and remote back route. Regardless, we decided it would be best to pull over and ask for directions... which we did, therefore losing our trusty elderly Australian guide, at a petrol station whose employees didn't speak English or know what town we were passing through. In conclusion, shit out of luck!
After assessing our (lack of) options and reading the map left, right, upside down and backwards, we decided we would just continue on the way the OFTD (old fart truck driver) had lead us. So we drove... and drove... then we saw it! A sign for Geelong! Woo hoo! So the old man DID know where he was going... I guess lesson learned there is you should always trust ancient locals, for they have the best knowledge of the land.
We were on our way... Cruising down the freeway. Felt like your typical road trip: free, happy and fun. Fleur put on some popular songs from Holland: Shenkie in da Koelkast was one and I cannot remember the others. Then, my favorite part of the day happened...
Fleur put on "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid. The beginning of the song started with the Caribbean style marimbas or steel drums or whatever they are... then when the chorus came on, we all started singing!
I sang "UNDER THE SEA..." (English)
Fleur and Arthur "DIEP IN DE ZEE..." (Dutch)
Kathi "UNTER DEM MEER..." (German)
It was so amazing! We all had this cross cultural reference... It was something we all had in common: we all grew up watching Disney movies and singing the songs, but in completely different parts of the world. I don't know why it touched me so much... Maybe it was because I finally felt like I was really traveling; immersed in a different culture. I loved it!
Kathi, Fleur and Arthur!
---------------------------->
When we got to Tourquay beach, the waves were HUGE! It was very windy and the conditions were anything but good. I ruled out surfing that day... But we had already come all this way... We had to get in the water!
Arthur swinging Fleur around... Pre sufing haha.
We decided to head to Bell's just to experience the massive conditions to their fullest extent. The waves were ridiculous there-- at least 10 foot sets were rolling through! The guys out there looked like tiiiiiny little ants...
Yeah... it was quite large.
Everywhere else was either too blown out... Or too massive to surf. We asked around and people told us of this place called "Fisherman's" that was usually good on a huge swell...
So we went there! Sure enough, it looked like a lot of fun. So we suited up and jumped in...
It was really fun! Still getting to know my board better, loving it more every surf. Well, I think that is about it...
Oh, wait, no there's more. Fleur, Arthur and Kathi dropped me off at the train station because I had to get home for a soccer game...
I felt so content. I was pleasantly tired from surfing, watching the world fly by out the window as I listened to good music and stayed comfortable and warm in my sweatpants. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment. A few times I opened my eyes and looked out the window; every once in a while I would catch a quick glimpse of the reflection of my face, relaxed and satisfied, overlaying the beautiful scenery that passed and I would smile even bigger. Everyone else on the train probably thought I was crazy, smiling to myself and all, but I could have cared less. I could have ridden that train forever!
Thats it for today...
(We won our soccer game 10-2)
(I had my first night of work last night... I like my job so far!)
Peace and love, food, friends, family and everything else that's good...
MIR!
Sounds asmazin'. Love you and how you are finding so many fun things. And you look stellar holdin that board, wish I could see ya surfin it.
ReplyDelete