Lonely & Lost

Though I’ve only been here for a few days it feels like weeks. I was very lucky to make a true friend within minutes of getting to my hostel. Her name is Jenni and she is from Finland. We immediately become friends hitting the city together.

On my second day in Auckland Jennie took me kayaking which I have never done before and now look forward to the next time that I can. It was scary and I almost capsized and ran into a fisherman’s line. Day one was about mastering going straight and staying upright. Next time I will try to learn how to go backwards and turning around.

Unfortunately, Jennie was at the end of her travels and I at the beginning of mine, so I had to say good-bye. Now I’m sad while I sit here alone in a lonely city. I know I will make more friends but it will always end with a good-bye since we are just travelling through.

It’s only been a couple days but I’m really feeling lost. I think it is because I still don’t know what my next step is or where I’m going. I’ve been a person who has worked my entire life and now that I’m not it is hard for me. I know I will find a job soon but until then this sort of weird in between state is killing me.

While feeling spiritually lost, I have also been physically lost. Yesterday I went to Waiheke Island, 30mins off the coast of Auckland. I was alone and went hiking and while I was walking I was thinking if anything happened to me no one would know since I didn’t tell anyone. Luckily nothing happened but I came out the other side and had no idea where I was. I looked right and then left and decided I would go right because it was downhill. I walked for about an hour until a lady stopped and ask if I wanted some tea. She took me back to her place which was this sort of make shift house out of a large domed shed. We had some tea; she laughed at me getting lost, and then drove me back to the main rode and pointed me in the right direction. Before we parted she gave me her sister’s number and location and said if I was in the area her sister would be more than happy to have a guest.

Once back on the main road and heading in the right direction, another person pulled over and offered me a ride back into town. He was really nice and dropped me off to get food and offered to come back to take me to the ferry as he was also headed for the ferry. However, I didn’t want to hold him up. He also found it hilarious that I managed to get lost. But really how could I not, it was just rolling green hills and no signage nearby.

Now I’m still struggling to figure out where I’m headed but I’m happy that I’ve had a chance to experience some true kiwi hospitality.

-Sid