The Sunshine Coast: Travellers' Karma

August 19th
I am the luckiest person you know.

"Tom! You'll never guess: I mentioned to Gil last night about heading to Noosa -- he has Wednesday/Thursday off and offered to drive!"

"I gotta say, Little Sister, you're very good at manifesting stuff."

The dilemma had been whether to catch a lift up the Sunshine Coast on Sunday with the guys or try to find a ride mid-week. The latter was ideal, since Tom was already "knackered" (which cracks me up in his German accent) a few 16-hr days into The Ekka and was hoping for a little quiet time before hosting an occasionally rambunctious Canadian.

And so here I am, Wednesday morning, bag packed and slung on my back, distinctly more compact since a few items were jettisoned. While talking to Sally and Carlie, I have a moment of hesitation: the plan is to be back in Brisbane by Sunday, then head south, arriving in Sydney the following weekend. It would therefore make sense to take Carlie's book -- which I had nearly finished -- and not lug all my belongings with me.
But when is logic fun?
[Answer: When it's propositional logic, and only if you're a nerd.]

***

"Do you have any CDs?"
"I have Bon Iver..."
Raised eyebrow. Indie rock is not Gil's thing.
"... and a mix of gangsta rap."
Sidelong quizzical look.

I hand him the burned CD labelled That Gangsta Shit. Gil opens his mouth to say something, thinks better of it, and puts in the CD. "Born Killer" starts, the van's stereo just able to handle the bass.

My friend Sam sent the CD from Thailand; it ranks high on the list of Best Things I've Received in the Mail.

We pull into Tom's mid-afternoon and head to the beach for a quick swim.
I love the way the sand squeaks. Gil tells me that for the longest time, he thought all sand squeaked; that was just how it was.

Sitting on the beach, I'm talking through possible action plans. I hadn't taken into account how far Sydney is from Byron Bay, where I had been hoping to hang-out for a few days. The amount of bus travel isn't appealing. Kellie, Tom's girlfriend, catches part of the story: turns out her parents are up visiting her sister. Her dad drove so he could bring the dog and they're heading back Monday.

"They drive right past Sydney; I know they'll take you."

Seems as though I don't even have to try anymore.

They say nobody likes a show-off, Universe, but if You wanna to keep this pace up, I've got zero complaints.

***

Tom and Kellie are amazing and abundantly generous, the type of people I aspire to be. While Kellie makes dinner, Tom does acupuncture on my neck, the left side of which decided to throw a fit yesterday morning.

When I met Tom in Melbourne early April, he had only recently become involved with Kellie; every time he spoke about her, it was with the fluttering excitement that comes with the first blush of a new relationship. So I was a little nervous to meet her a week ago at the Ekka. But only momentarily, because in an instant we're sitting at the back of Divine Donuts swapping tales over wine and cheese. And it's shortly decided that I will definitely come to Peregian (near Noosa) and stay at her place. After all, she has a spare room.

After dinner, Gil and I head to Kellie's place, while she stays at Tom's. Her apartment is a sweet little place, not even a five minute walk from the beach. It's insisted that I make myself at home: Kellie has travelled extensively, only recently becoming more settled, and is very happy for the chance to be on the flip side of Travellers' Karma.