“Calm your mind darling. You’re on no one’s journey but your own. Pace yourself and live your life the way you want to. Don’t let someone else’s idea of success make you feel like you’ve chosen the wrong path. Your journey may look different to everyone else’s, but it’s yours.” – unknown, found on Pinterest
I’ve heard it said many times, “Australia is like the United States was in the ’50s.” I wasn’t alive then so I don’t know but I do know that Australia is one of my favorite places on the planet because of the people, the pace, and the feeling of positivity and freedom I have every time I am here. Australia is good for me because I find my flow while I’m here. Life just seems to move with ease and I’m sure that has to do with the people…and the sunshine.
Australians are some of the most fun-loving people roaming the globe. Must be all the Vitamin D. Their baseline is happy. They are passionate about their beer, their sports teams, and their country. They are kind, funny, and always up for a good time. They seem very level-headed and want what is best for the whole – which is why their minimum wage is over $17/hour and they have universal healthcare. They make family time a top priority. They love the outdoors. People are everywhere on bikes, walking paths, surfboards, skateboards, etc. Just this morning I watched a few kids on the beach playing cricket on a pitch they drew in the sand with their bats. It was sweet and innocent, just like kids should be. So if that’s what the ‘50’s in the US was like, sign me up.
Australia is a wonderful place to visit…and probably to live as well. Apparently, it ranks 12th out of 150 countries as the happiest place to live in the world. I know the flight from the US and Europe is long, but if you can get here, you’ll see what I mean.
The last few days have been a whirlwind. I’ve spent time in Twin Waters with Joyce’s daughter and son-in-law, Hope Island with her grandkids and great grandkids, and now Yamba. Which means, I’ve been in two different States – Queensland and New South Wales – and in two different time zones. I feel energized and exhausted all at the same time. I’ve loved catching up with Grams (Joyce – my “adopted” Aussie Grandma) and her family. We’ve made some wonderful memories together and I’ve gotten to know each of them a little more.
Brooke & Joel hosted us at their beautiful home on Hope Island. They made our stay welcoming and comfortable and it felt as if I had known them my whole life – even though this was my first time meeting Brooke and only the second time seeing Joel and Chantel (Joyce’s grandkids). Obviously, Joyce tells us stories about each other so we know a lot about each other’s lives but to spend time getting to know them in person was really nice. They are all very successful but more importantly, they are kind and loving…and have a fantastic sense of humor. Our conversations covered a wide variety of topics from politics to tarot cards and our connection was really great. Plus, Brooke is an esthetician and she gave my eyebrows a much-needed makeover. Nothing, like getting pampered on vacation.
On Sunday, Joel (Joyce’s grandson) drove us to meet up with Stephen (my buddy from the El Camino del Norte). We are staying with him for the week in Yamba. Stephen owns a cute little motel that was once a Catholic Convent for nuns. He and his business partners purchased it years ago and turned it into The Stella. The location of this place is amazing – directly across from the ocean/beach and just down the block from the main road with all the shops. If you are looking for a place to stay in Yamba that has a chill vibe and really welcoming staff, stay at The Stella.
It’s funny that Stephen and I have met up so frequently given that we just met in May while hiking, then we saw each other in Italy in December, and now I’m in his hometown in January. Weird how life works. Especially, because we argue like brother and sister and annoy the crap out of each other. I figured, I’d never see him again after that hike. Ha!
That said, Stephen has been the perfect host. He has shown Grams and me his beloved town, introduced us to all sorts of people, sat on the beach and played his favorite game Sudoku while I swam in the ocean – to make sure I didn’t drown, and he has not let us pay for one thing…not a meal, not a drink, not a night at the motel, nothing. So like an annoying older brother, he also watches out for his younger sister and I’m extremely grateful for his kindness and generosity.
Visiting Australia is definitely good for me right now. I really don’t enjoy cold weather (unless it’s a ski trip or something with an end date) and Italy was in the middle winter and those dreaded gray days and long nights. I could feel my soul shrinking a bit. I am thankful for my time with Luca and all that I experienced while I was there but I’m honestly not one to stay put for too long, especially in a cold climate. The Aussies tell me I have “itchy feet.” I love the sunshine and the sea. I love to walk barefoot on the earth. It revives my spirit and helps my mood. I can easily get sad from the elements in my environment so it was probably a good thing the government has the 90 day rule to keep me moving.
I’m trying to listen to my life and let it lead me – even if the path is unknown and a little out of my comfort zone. I know I’ve always been a wonderer at heart but I’ve fought it on a certain level so I could fit in with the pack. Another one of my intentions for 2023 is to let go a little more and not control every little detail – to leave a little room for life’s magic. I’m slowly learning to lean into this new way of life on the road full time. I realized I’ve been frustrated for most of my life because I’ve been fighting my natural spirit so I could be like everyone else even though it wasn’t what was best for me. I’ve realized I needed to shift in my perception about myself if I am going to feel content with who I am and my life. I’ve made peace with being the “weirdo” who doesn’t have many possessions, a full-time job in an office, a home, husband or children. But what I’ve discovered is that when I’m true to myself and my life..it is much more enjoyable and the universe really has my back.
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I know many of you loved the stories I shared about Stephen while we hiked the Camino, and a fan favorite was that he called me Melanie instead of Emily half of the time. Well, his accuracy in calling people by the correct name hasn’t improved.
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When we reunited, he did call me by the correct name but within the first three hours, he butchered the names of three other poor souls.
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“Josh” – Grams’s grandson – whose real name is Joel.
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“Sam” – a guest at the motel – whose real name is Ben.
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“Ellen” – a worker at the motel – whose real name is Eleanor and likes to be called Ellie.
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It’s good to know it’s not personal.
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Highlights of the trip so far:
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Lunch with Grams, Brooke, and Chantel at George’s Paragon. The baby octopus salad was to die for and the view of the harbor didn’t disappoint.
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Watching kangaroos hop across the fairway of the golf course behind Brooke & Joel’s house.
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Driving Brooke & Joel’s golf cart (on the opposite side of the road) around their housing complex. Zoom, zoom.
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Meeting Helen, a lovely woman from Melbourne who is on a solo road trip in a really badass truck/camper. She is a photographer and her photos are unbelievable. You can follow her on Instagram at @helenjamanphotography and see even better photos of her camping vehicle.
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First swim of 2023 in the Pacific Ocean. 💗
The last five years have nearly killed me.
My happy-go-lucky spirit was lost.
My intention for this swim was to wash off all the hurt, grief, sadness, and anger.
To let the salty sea heal me.
To let what needs to go, go.
To let what needs to come, come.
I think it worked.
Onward and upward, dear friends. 💗
Goodnight and much love from Australia! 🇦🇺