Commencing Adventure

Not Your Normal New Year

I can imagine it now:  begrudgingly returning to work after a couple days off over the Christmas Holidays. The majority of my friends and family are back to the grind, wondering where the first fortnight of the new year has gone.

In times like these, I feel sorry for the masses. The doleful start to the new year juxtaposes with mine in such a stark way. I'm sitting in Guesthouse Reynir on the southern coast of Iceland. Yesterday alone, I saw the Blue Lagoon, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafloss waterfalls, followed by a black sand path to Dyrhólaey to watch the sun set over the sea. We progressed to this guesthouse on the sea, and Rick concocted a hearty chickpea stew (I made myself useful by washing the dishes). I collapsed in bed by 18:30 with my face tinged pink from the wind and my body in deep relaxation.

The morning's spa treatment made my muscles heavy and loose, whereas the steps climbed and paths traversed set them back to their normal state. We drove across the southern coast with ease, passing expansive mountains to our left and the brilliant sea glistening to our right. Standing pools gleamed an azure blue, hoards of horses gleamed auburn in the sun, the snowy mountains gleamed pink in the morning sunshine. The road extended far before us, disappearing into the mountain ranges, littered with a thin sheet of snow and a handful of vehicles.

Bliss.

There is so much to be thankful for this year. I welcomed the year with Rick and his friends, playing board games way past the countdown and putting on our fireworks belatedly (at 2 in the morning). The day itself was surrounded by family and food, raucous games and tales of his grandmother's childhood in Italy. Rick commenced his normal work schedule while I visited Cardiff and Devon, relishing heart-warming friendships I've made in the past 3+ years, smiling all the way.

Wales Chapter

Going back to Cardiff was a breath of fresh air in many ways. I stayed with old-timer Andrew, playing Nintendo games and laughing about old and new stories. Catching up with Mike and Sue at Sweet Cafe plus good ol' landlady Carol, I then set off west to see Coran and Emma in the Valleys. As with all of my solid friendships, meeting up with these two was an absolute blast, us laughing and reminiscing and dreaming. We stayed up chatting well into the night, scribing our five-year plans and saving them to revisit in five-years time.

Being Blown Off the Mountain, Pen-y-fan

Unsurprisingly, my five-year plan was fraught with travel, wanting to work on tours and cruises and to volunteer abroad. In the next five years, I would create a TED-talk about being a multinational millennial, write a fiction novel, and compose a one-woman show, "My Trainwreck Friends". I realize how much of my life could be something more than what it already is, how my interests spread far and wide, and how my main goal in life is to befriend and aid all types of folk. 

My time in Wales ignited a new adrenaline, redefined my dreams, and also comforted me with the support of some life-long friends. I will always be grateful for my Cardiff friends; you mean so much to me, inspiring me and giving me the strength to believe in myself and smile all the while. 

Dare I Devon?

With only a handful of days left in the UK, Rick coaxed me to take the trip to Devon to visit Alice, a friend I acquired dogwalking in London. Alice represents everything I'd like to be, a woman who has overcome overwhelming misfortune and is more attuned with herself as a result. I admire her willingness to express herself and share her story. She emanates joyfulness and acceptance, and rather than doing much in Devon, we chatted away over games of Scrabble and Heads Up. 

Alice may very well be the reason I return to the UK later this year, as she hopes to marry in her family church. It's all very quaint and sophisticated until you meet her, boisterous and hopeful and wild. See you later, Alice.

Thurlestone Beach, Devon

'Tis Time

Thank you, UK, for the friendships made and the time well spent. On my final night, I met friends in my all-time-favourite restaurant, Kathmandu Valley, and under Libby's influence, I had a nice ration of red wine to accompany dinner. It was such a pleasure to see friends from all walks of life convene over a delicious meal. I couldn't have asked for a better last night. Special shout-out to Kate and Alasdair for housing me in London when I no longer had a home! You lot are absolute legends and I'm so grateful for our friendships. Keep up the good work ;)

Ciao