One mid-January summer day I found myself arriving in the tiny town of Bodalla, NSW, Australia for one reason. Well, make that TWO reasons. I was here to meet Pam and John.

I had met Pam and John just a week or two earlier through CouchSurfing. The invited me to stay on their property 20 minutes outside of Bodalla’s borders and I happily accepted.

My only regret is that I only spent two nights with John and Pam. They were excellent hosts and I was glad to be their first guest from such a hospitality site. During the short time I was there we swam in both the Pacific Ocean at Potato Point and the clear as crystal river bordering their land. The water was so clean you could drink out of it (and it was the best tasting water I’ve ever had). During the last night we had a bbq with some members of their extended family who were camped out for a few nights. John and Pam are wonderful people and if you get the chance you should meet up with them at their little slice of heaven they call Roseneath.

After saying goodbye to them where they dropped me off in Narooma I was set to hitch 200 or so kilometers to meet up with Yasmin – a bellydancer in Eden. After the first ride with three cheerful Maoris I found myself at a decent intersection for traffic but many miles from any town. This would have been fine if it didn’t suddenly start raining. Actually, “raining” isn’t the best way to describe the change of weather. “Storming” would be much more appropriate.

After flailing about at every car that passed one eventually stopped for me before I was too soaked. They were going east when I wanted to go south but I didn’t care. At least I’d be dry somewhere.

I waited out the rain eating fish and chips and watching cricket on TV in a small place in Bermagui called The Wave. Once the rain stopped I was back on my way.

Three rides later took me into Pambula, just 20k away from my goal. That’s when the rain kicked up again. Luckily Yasmin offered to drive out and get me. I waited out the downpour in the “bottom” pub (apparently called that because it was at the south side of the small town and while the other pub (presumably called the “top” pub) sat at the north end. Graham, my third lift of the day, filled me in on this and much, much more while we sat in the pub drinking our Victoria Bitters.

That’s enough ranting for now. I know, I know, I’m terrible at keeping up this journal lately. I promise I’ll try harder to keep it better!

Coming next: Yasmin the bellydancer, adventures in Canberra, and the trying tales of entry requirements to New Zealand.

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Posted January 30, 2005 08:21 PM @ (GMT - 6)