Wind in My Sail

   I am still in Fremantle and still living at the same hostel I started in. I am officially a "regular" here now. No longer a newbie, I am "Breeee from Collar-RAAD-O" as the accents from around the world say when they attempt to mimic me. I can proudly put a name to almost all of the other faces that consider this hostel home.  I have made some incredible friends. Friends that talk about coming to see me in the states someday. Friends that want to show me around their homeland someday. Friends that are very different from me, but have a welcoming smile and traveling as a common interest. They are people that I will never forget. 

These friendships begin easily and are solidified quickly. And next to the incredible scenery around me, these friendships are the best thing about traveling. Unfortunately the goodbyes happen as often and as quickly as the friendships develop. It's all part of it. But when you hug a good one goodbye it can really take the wind out of your sail. Knowing I was going to have to say my first goodbye to one of these friends today was not a fun realization to wake up to. BUT we made the best of Stu's last day in Perth and our sails were FULL of wind as a group of us all had our first go at kite surfing!

The wind picked up, as if on cue,  while we determined our perfect beach location. Upon arrival at Woodman's point five of us made our way to the water. Yanni set up his kites while the rest of us waited nervously in anticipation for our turn to harness up and put the kites in the air. He entered the water first to show us how it was done. He made it look effortless and the confidence grew in all of us. Stu was up next.  The effort became much more obvious and our confidence on the sidelines diminished as he face-planted onto the sand…several times. After a few more attempts and a bloody knee he passed the kite over to me. I suited up and hopped in the water with my competitive self- determined to be better than Stu and focused on staying in the water and far from land. I was in heaven! I had wanted to kite surf since the day I first learned of the sport. I had looked into lessons weeks ago only to find out it was going to cost a fortune and disappointedly gave up on the idea. So the fact that I was out there doing it... for free... with good friends- made this an experience I would happily relive any day.

  

Although I was thrown around quite a bit, I managed to pass the kite on without any war wounds. My friend Rachel was not as fortunate and day one of kite surfing ended with a crash as she was whipped out of the water and launched head first into a sand dune.  We joined her in laughter and relief once we knew she was OK. Needless to say it was an epic day for all of us. We walked away smiling, some of us more battered than others, but all anxious for our next opportunity to be tossed around by a kite! 

It was a great last day in Perth for Stu and just the excitement I needed to get past the goodbye and be reminded of how lucky I am to be staying.  

I look forward to more of these memorable days and making new friends to share them with. 

With wind in my sail - I am content and loving life in Western Australia.