Before I say anything, I just hope that everyone reading this, their friends and family are safe after the attacks in the US. The tragedy is being felt worldwide and I know we have all heard and felt so much about these events lately. Here in Australia the reaction is very heartfelt. Yesterday the goverment convened and had a time for condolences. The Prime Minister and many others down the ranks stood in front of the Congress (or Parliament) and gave long moving speeches expressing their condolences, their deep connection and their shared feelings with the US. It was very moving to hear all that they spoke of and to hear them many times refer to the US as a "Great Country" which they feel they owe many thanks to for our close involvement in so many plights around the world. Let us find all the good we can find to come out of these terrible acts.
In other news - for those of you who forgot my birthday, I will find a way to forgive you. It is hard to believe I am celebrating my 2nd consecutive birthday abroad. Today I turned 29 - just one year closer to my midlife crisis! I suppose my already peppered hair has turned even more grey over this year, yet it still remains properly connected to my noggin. You may not remember my previous birthday update so I will remind you of that humorous day.
Than and I sat with empty wallets outside a trainstation in Poland waiting hours to leave for Germany. We were befriended by a local toothless drunk who generously bought us can after can of beer while he kept spouting giberish in Polish and hugging us while telling us he loved us. Well, this drunk turned out to be gay which hastened our departure. So it was a strange day to say the least. Luckily this day is being spent on at the beach in Byron Bay Australia.
In the morning I went sea kayaking among the dolphins and a few distant Humpback whales. We had several schools of dolphins swim by us and could see faintly a few humpback whales off in the distance. It was a nice afternoon on this beautiful and sunny day. I enjoyed the day with my roomates which are two couples from England and Canada. They have been great company and even made sure to toast me on my birthday last night at midnight as we danced and drank at a bar named "Cheeky Monkeys". So tomorrow I must wake up early to take a long bus ride north to Hervey Bay where I will take a boat out to Fraser Island to camp for 3 days. So life is good.
My Mother visited me on the 2nd and stayed till the unfortunate day of the 11th. We had a spectacular time in Sydney and around Melborne which I will detail soon. Since she was flying back on the 11th her flight was diverted to Honolulu where she was stuck for 3 days waiting to fly on to Dallas. I suppose there are worse places to be, but under the circumstances, she was very ready to be home. Also, I will be visiting with my father and his wife in a couple weeks in New Zealand which is another nice present for me. So I am alive and doing just fine.
So after my month in New Zealand and a week in Fiji,I'll be flying into LA on November 8th. I just want to give my peeps in California a heads up. For those of you there, let me know if you will be around and have time to visit so we can make plans.
Over and out,
Chris