Monday 21 September 2015

HOLD ON TO YOUR FRIENDS



...YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
On the Danube, Britt & myself. Photo by Britt Lapthorne 2008


Another year gone without you. I know this month is hard for your family and friends, I decided not to post this year initially but now I feel compelled too.... an open letter.
I was changing the screen saver photos on my mac yesterday and up came loads of pictures of you and I having fun. That's how I want to keep it all in my mind.... the train rides and fake sleeping to hold the seats, the endless lugging of our over-stuffed backpacks from station to station, hostel to hostel, the maps we couldn't decipher (until we realised it was upside down, there wasn't smart phones and Google Maps back then!) the over sized beers in strange local bars, the intriguing local food (including the cabbage roll from a Budapest local market I ate that gave me many happy returns for days after! NOT!) to the many meals we concocted in hostel kitchens that made all the other backpackers jealous, to the many friends the bubbly "blonds in a box" Aussie duo met along the way... I wouldn't have changed a thing.
I am on another life journey right now, relocation back to the place I love and still love... Cairns. I told you about Cairns and how I will move back and it's only taken me 8 years but I am back... back where I belong. I am moving to a new home, have a new job and will ride the endless summer... just like we spoke about. A life chasing the sun.
You will always be part of my sun Britt... you are always there my friend. Smiley, happy, fun Britt... I wish you could come over to my place and have a glass of rose with me.
CHEERS... to our spontaneity....CHEERS... to seeking out the impossible local sights (that never seemed easy to find) with our Lonely Planet guide.... CHEERS.... to making an effort to learn how to say "hello" and "goodbye" in the local language on the train on the way to a new country and... CHEERS... to US!!! You will forever be my friend. I am not ashamed of the repetitive posts on FB I post each year when I miss you. I never want you forgotten Miss Britty.  #travelsafewithyourmates