Sometimes, Synchronicity

After exploring the North Island, I wasn't seeing any signs pointing me in any direction. I was hoping for an indication that I was supposed to stay in New Zealand. Maybe I look too hard. I came all this way and I was not ready to give up. I called the airline the night before and changed my flight departure date to give myself two more weeks with hopes that maybe I would find what I was looking for - whatever that is.

I was trying to convince a woman I just met into joining me for an itinerary-less adventure. She had just arrived to New Zealand from the United States on a Working Holiday Visa. She said she needed to find a job first. I was trying to talk her out of that.

“You should explore before having any obligations! You’ll be back in two weeks! Find a job then. It’s an opportunity! An adventure!”

I was trying really hard. I didn’t want to go out there on my own. I would rather go with a complete strange whose name I didn’t even know than go alone. I heard about opportunities to relocate rental cars for free and I thought this would be a great way to travel! 

The things is, I was afraid to drive on the left side of the road and I wanted someone, anyone, to come with me.

A girl I met a couple of days before joined us at the table during this conversation. She interrupted my campaign and says. “I’ll come with you if we can hitchhike.”

My head began to buzz. "Really? Okay! You're sure? We are really doing this? Really? When should we head out? Okay!"

We exchanged a few more excited words and then she held her hand across the table for me to shake.   

I liked this gesture. The deal was sealed. And the excitement that there was now a no-plan filled my body!

It always works out; I always find my way.

Suddenly, in the background, I heard a familiar song from the television on the other side the room - and not just any song. This was not an especially famous song, but it has played a role in my life.

The buzzing in my head got louder as I felt the universe telling me that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

The song I heard belongs to my musician-friend, Israel, back in Oregon. We have actually talked about what he was thinking when he wrote it! And it was playing. From the television across the room. Here. In New Zealand.

Why now?

As my new travel companion, Emma, and I came up with a rough itinerary of the places we would go on the South Island, the commercial seemed to keep playing every couple of minutes. Over and over again.

(This is not the commercial, but this is the song:)

A couple days later, Emma and I found ourselves on the very scenic ferry ride across the Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton.

My new friend and travel companion, Emma, and I on the ferry crossing the Cook Strait. 

We spend the night in a really cozy backpacker next to a cemetery and with plans to begin the hitchhiking portion of our southbound adventure in the morning!

To be continued!