Serendipity

Kim at our meeting point

I met the greatest lady yesterday!  I had stopped in a cul-de-sac on the top of a hill so that I could clean out my car.  I’d spent the morning at the library, but it was a Saturday, so it closed at 1230.  So, before deciding where to go from there, I figured I would get my “house” tidy.  As I was driving along, I saw the little pull-off and as I came to the top of the hill I was stunned.  I could see the ocean to one side – all the way out to the Byron Bay lighthouse.  On the other side, the hills stretched out into the distance.  It was a spectacular view.  As I was enjoying the scenery and brushing out my car, another car pulled into the cul-de-sac and a lady got out to walk her dog.

We started talking – she was really nice!  Somehow we got on the subject of showers – I mentioned that I’d stopped at the Swim ‘N Gym for a shower earlier this week and she suggested somewhere nearby I could go to get another hot shower.  (It’s surprising how it’s the little things, like a hot shower, rather than cold, that become so delightful when you live in your car!)  As we continued talking, Kim suddenly said maybe I should just come to her house and take a shower.  Although I said I couldn’t possibly and that she was too kind to offer, she told me to think about it while she took a quick walk with her dog and while she did so I realized I’d be an idiot to refuse the offer.  Plus, it’d be nice to meet some more actual Australians.  Many of the people I’ve met here so far have also been foreigners, like me, especially as I started out staying at a hostel in Sydney.

Brunswick Heads Library is adorable!

So I headed back to Kim’s house with her and met her husband David and their eight-year-old daughter Natascha.  They also had a friend visiting with her two children.  We all chatted for a while and then after I took a (wonderful, hot) shower, we went into Brunswick Heads (the nearby town where I’d just been to the library) for dinner.

The Italian joint we had planned to go to was super full and not inclined to fit us in; but we ordered for the kids and went around the corner to pick up a couple pizzas for the adults.  We really enjoyed the evening.  By then, they’d also talked me into staying at their place for the night.  I assured them I’d be fine in my car (as I do have a very comfortable double bed back there), but it was such a delight to have access to the toilet and not worry about rangers giving me fines for camping illegally!  Plus, by then, we were fast friends!    They’ve both done a lot of traveling and we have a lot in common.  After Lyn and her kids left, Dave and Kim and I stayed up talking until the wee hours!  They’re great!

David, Kim with Oscar, and me

Natascha

Today, we slept in a bit and have been having a lazy Sunday.  Kim and I went to the beach and hung out for a while.  Oscar (her dog) came with us and had a blast digging holes – he dug one directly under Kim which eventually collapsed and almost caved in on him!  They’ve talked me into staying another night.  In the morning, I’m going to make an appointment to see a local doctor so I can get some prescription refills.  The pharmacies here in Australia won’t take my US prescriptions, so I need new ones to get my meds refilled.  It’s great that Kim is willing to help me out with this and should hook me up immensely.  David’s been helping me add to my quickly growing list of Aussie-isms that I’ve been making.   I’m enjoying my time with an actual Australian family!