The Notebook

 This was my last day in the Belligen area and Boy was it a good day. 

I woke up just in time to make it to church. Unfortunately, I did not get up to dress my best and just wore jeans and a fleece jacket. I could tell this was not the correct attire by some people's reactions, but this is more important to be present and 5 minutes late. Pastor Jesse was not there, which was a disappointment, but Pastor Greg was there, and he was pretty introverted and did not provide much feeling, but he was very nice. 
We had tea and scones after church and sat together getting to know one another. It was really nice how many people came up to me to introduce themselves. The only people who were a bit antisocial and dismissive were his grandchildren and his one grandchild's girlfriend from Manilla. His daughter Anna was absolutely wonderful and delightful. She was close with Jesse, which was not a surprise considering their positive energies they carried. 

People were asking about India and one woman shared her experience. People invited me to lunch and Anna said she would have loved to have coffee with me. She had 3 sons who were really into traveling so she understood the whole living abroad concept. 

There was a volunteer firefighter there with his dog and just lovely church members who were very friendly and open. It was a great Sunday morning and I was excited to leave and have another coffee. It would be last chance to have Hyde so I got Matcha latte and then headed back to change to meet Kate. We had planned to meet many times and finally I really wanted to see her on my last day. The boys were going for a hike and gave me a fake invite. The Japanese guy who arrived was very suspicious and not very nice. I'm not sure what kind of Japanese person he was as he would constantly take food from others and never said "Thank you." 

I went off to meet Kate and we went to Three Ducks, which was an expensive cafe up in the hills with a great view. We got there and Kate looked at the menu and said, "Let's go to my house. We can go swimming and have lunch. "

I absolutely loved this idea because I wanted to get out of town and I definitley did in her huge home among many acres up in the hills. It reminded me of the Notebook house with sheep, chickens, ducks, an adorable dog and a forest in back. 

I met Nick and Kate on my way into Belligen and they were so kind and lovely. We had ham sandwiches with cheese on rye bread with all kinds of dips. It was delicious sitting with the view of the pool and the clouds settling amongst the green hills. Who actually lives like this everyday? Wow

I could tell with the property that they had money and I never would have guessed it with the way they act in such a humble way-those are the ones who have the most. It turns out they worked in the movie industry and she films documentaries and he produces them along with movies. He was a huge producer in Australia and won many awards at film festivals across Australia and internationally. This was totally unexpected as he seems like a guy who is a musician or an artist...someone who just loves peace and working on his own. I would never have guessed that in a million years, but when I travel I am always meeting people in the film industry...but in this small town of Belligen...I wonder what this is about...did I miss my calling in the film industry? Yes. Should I work on my Youtube channel to make it grow into a successful travel channel...What does this mean God? Hmmm

Kate was telling me about her work advocating for the forest with the goal to stop lodging and stop endangering animals especially Koalas. People protest a few hours a day and have the ability to share their feelings and outlet the struggle they experience. She also made a movie about Aborighnese culture and how many of them are left traumatized and feeling robbed of their land and cultural heritage and values.  

She was sharing her passion for making documentaries to share the locals experience and have a voice for the people...I told her that she making documentaries can be similar to being a "social worker" for the people or a social advocate in her own way. My grandfather made sure that the voices of those in villages was heard and I feel I do the same exact thing learning about locals when I travel. I keep silent and do not talk about my Indian family much anymore.  Even though, I am so proud of my grandfather, it is better for me to stay quiet and not boast about his accomplishments. 

While Kate wanted me to take a walk in the forest in her koala socks and blue rain boots, Nick wanted to make me one of his speciality coffees. I had his coffee and made me a great coffee after spending time with Kate's friends from Sydney. Sometimes when you have a random visitor, people can act kind of shy or timid or just leave you out of the conversation. They asked great questions about my travel plans and made some recommendations. 

I told them about the cruise and how I really do not want to go, but they encouraged me telling me, "Don't worry it will be wonderful" and remember you don't have to unpack your stuff everyday and move it." I thought to myself, this lady is really speaking my language. This was the main reason for booking the cruise-the constant moving and public transport needs to take a break for a bit. 

We all went swimming in the pool playing a silly game of Marco polo. The ladies were asking about my trip and where I am going. They were a bit unsure where I came from, but towards the end they warmed up to me and understand I am a tourist alone. 

When Kate took me into the forest, she showed me the carvings that her son did on the tree and also the markings of the koala who lives in the forest. He was not present, but she said you can hear them because they make a loud, "Grrrrr." 

I expected a Koala to be very quiet like a Sloth. I guess not. 

Kate would  pick different plants for me to smell including eucalyptus and lemon myrtle. It was so nice just being around her because she had a lot of energy and genuinely wanted me to have a nice time. At the age of about 60, her level of fitness and positive energy were inspiring. And she gave me rain boots and socks spraying my ankles with bug spray to protect from the leeches. She knew I got leech bites last time I was in the national park. These caring moments by strangers....and the lack of love from my mother and father....fascinating. 

It was such a lovely day to never forget and it was time for me to get packing for my night train, but there was more to this wonderful day-yes more!!!

I came back to a new family and a man cooking in the kitchen and his name was Jonathan and he was from Israel. He has a wife and 3 beautfiul girls. He was making a middle eastern cucumber tomato salad with a rice and lentil dish. He made homemade tahini and pesto, which were delicious. He was a pediatrician and his wife was a stay at home mother. She was living on the gaza strip so the recent conflict was very upsetting for her. There was good news that day that hostages would start being released and the war would come to an end. I could see the hope in her eyes....and speaking of eyes. Noori, the 11 kilo big baby, had these big beautiful eyes and was soooo cute. She kept wanting me to pick her up, which made me want a baby until I realized I could barely carry her without getting back pain. Hmmm not sure what I would do with a big baby. 

She was the absolute cutest and his girls were performing dance shows and eating chocolates-a beautiful family-a one that I just don't have yet AGAIN. 

The pain of not having this family unit and feeling alone all the time without functional parents- it stings very bad and causes depression and envy at the same time, but not in this case. They were happy, but they also missed their family in Israel. 

Jonathan played some guitar and the boys were making some kind of Vietnamese dish in the kitchen with the Japanese guy who was just eating people's food everyday. His personality and traits were very odd and he did not represent someone of Japanese desent. I absolutely love the Japanese and he did not behave in a kind, grateful, humble manner. He was very selfish and not into helping others-interesting. 

After washing my clothes, making my dinner for the train, and packing everything up- I was ready to go. David picked me up, we went to have a couple beers on the boardwalk of Urunga just staring up at the stars and enjoying the time mostly in silence. There was this divine breeze and the clouds were clearing letting the stars shine through brighter. He drove me to the train station and we sat waiting for the train together. We saw this big black beatle and sat together taking a few photos. When my train arrived he walked me to the door and gave me a big hug. His sweetness was making my heart melt and he looked so handsome. Such a nice man...yet there was another side to him that I could definitley see...he was disturbed or bothered in many ways and I hope that he resolves those issues so he can find a nice companion to spend time with in Belligen.  Long distance never worked for him and it never really worked for me either hence me being single! 

The train was not an ideal experience. You walk on and it's dark and filled with people passed out on seats and some in the aisles...there was a man next to me who kept moving and my seat was slightly broken so I would move with him when he was fidgeting or moving his body. There were other seats open, but I was told by a big Simoan woman to sit down and take my seat. She is labeling me as being a difficult American, but I was sitting in a broken seat with someone in front of me sprawled out on the floor and a weird guy net to me....she was beyond rude and did not care at all. 

Public transport in Australia and New Zealand. SKIP IT and Rent a car friends. Go with a group. Do tours. Share accommodation so it's not 5 times the price and again rent a car. 

Stay true to who you are and others will gravitate towards that positve energy -PRIS