Chance Meetings and The Power of Positive Thinking
I started yesterday the way I have started most since I moved to Australia: alarm, shower, decaf green tea, rolled oats, email checking, carpool with the boy into town to work from my favorite coffee shop.
When I got there, I was once again greeted by the friendly staff who call me “Green Tea Kelly”, and sat at my favorite table [next to the outlet] to use some free WiFi and zone into work.
About two hours later, my laptop requested a charge and I reached into my backpack to grab the charger… which I forgot.
Since the car was now 30 minutes away with the boy at work and I needed some good exercise, I decided walk the 8 kilometers (10 minute drive) to our house so that I could appease my computer and get back to work.
[Cutting out a lot] An hour later, I decided that if I had about another hour of walking, I might as well take the scenic route nature trail, which would also keep me away from the road - a good decision since Australian drivers do not yield to pedestrians.
On the trail, I passed a mountain biker several times who finally stopped and said hello.
He is from Papa New Guinea and had seen me in town and wanted to know if I am of Pacific island decent [I’m not]. We had a great conversation for about 20 minutes about politics, culture, race, and Australia, and I found out that he is currently writing a play that is partially about New York. He has never been there, so as a native New Yorker who loves theater and is looking to bring it back into my life, we unofficially made a coffee date to discuss the play further.
After another hour I was walking in the rain and starting to get very frustrated.
I wanted to make my way to the road to hitchhike home, but paused and reminded myself that I needed the exercise, was in Australia walking among kangaroo footprints and that the sun was still shining through the water drops so I should look for a rainbow [+ hitchhiking alone = not safe].
When I finally arrived home, thirsty and tired, I felt my endorphin rewards.
I plugged in and got back to work and the rest of the day was filled with food, music, good company, great conversations, educational documentaries… and a glass of whiskey.
Taking the ‘road less traveled’ sometimes turns out to be a huge detour [1.5 hours longer than you thought], but if you take the scenic route and stop to enjoy the view, it’s a great trip.
