[Day 23] Swemerican Mobile Disco

Lots of awesomeness occurred since the 12th; however, only 3 days remain with the Swedes... we'll spend the next few days celebrating our friendships... update ya'll when they fly out, or perhaps sooner. Wrote the following on the sleepy ferry ride.....


Just finished our tour of South Island. North Island Ferry check-in is at 9pm. We arrive 3 hours early and park adjacent to a playground in a harbor-front lot. A pillow fight quickly explodes inside the RV. Afterward, I grow sleepy and 3 of the girls tuck me into a nap. When I awake, they're cooking mac 'n' cheese, baked beans, plain noodles, and other ambrosias of travel. Opting out, I begin a pleasant conversation with my iPod: Ray LaMontagne (if you've never heard his amazing voice, or enjoy the calmer sounds of Jack Johnson, I highly recommend buying every album or attaining his music by other means :] He's my favorite southern acoustic/blues artist. Soothing, peaceful, awesome). Mr. LaMontagne encourages me to explore the playground. The most effective way to rock a tire-swing is to sink your bottom in the middle and kick your legs, in case you forgot like me. I swing for what seems like hours— just lying back and allowing the chains to float me around. I burn with the stars.

9pm. Vehicle-loading-dock's packed so we crack open a 5th of Smirnoff and sip heavy concoctions out of coffee mugs. We blast Brad's iPod on the RV stereo, dance down truck lanes, joke with a rubber beach ball, and meet many people in line... the streets are ours! We realize a group name: Swemerican Mobile Disco.

Our amazing crew is currently on the ferry back to North Island, lounging in a big room at the front of the boat. 12am. We have no idea where we're staying tonight, but diving headfirst into the unknown is among the most wonderful feelings. Brad is in the corner talking to Eeda & Ahna, who've been giggling for last 15 minutes. I'm in the center, writing with Prneella & Mollin, reflecting on the past week. Wow, it blew by so fast! We drove so much and did so much each day. Just bought a second cup of hot chocolate from the bartender. Tipped the kind bloke 2 dollars. He walked across the room and handed it back. Said “Don't worry about it mate.” People are quite different here.

The freedom of long term travel is completely foreign and profoundly chipping away at the sediment-covered word 'alive.' It's all so fresh and I'm still on the fence: half consumed in long-term goals, status, and material achievement, while the other is likened to a great awakening, as if the natural, real, innocent part of me has finally found a path amidst old fog. Simple details, like inhaling different scents, meditating on a spectrum of color in vast fields, feeling pebbles under your feet, or soft sand between your toes, or the breeze in your hair as you stick your head into highway wind, laugh-attacks with an amazing person you met just 2 weeks prior, hearing hard rain on the roof of your car, being cozy in blankets on a frigid day... little things are huge once again... a wondrous return to innocence... beautiful.

Life in the states was priceless. It shaped who we are and wouldn't be traded for the world. We have so many incredible friends and fascinating people to come home to. Before Bradon & I left, people said lots of things like “I can't believe you're doing that” or “Oh my gosh, I'm so proud of you guys. You will have done so much at such a young age.” All were received with holistic gratitude and sincere smiles. But, we simultaneously wondered why people rarely shared similar plans.

The most fantastic part of our journey is not the activities we will do, nor the sights we will see, but the transcendental sensations and interpersonal experiences that'll occur, integral is the fact that we are without responsibility—we're able to completely leave everything behind and immerse ourselves in the moment. The overwhelming exuberance and sense of freedom thereby felt is indescribable.

You all must travel extensively. And not merely tour, but leave everything behind and goooo.......

Ray LaMonagne - Jolene

Ray LaMontagne - Shelter