For the first time during our travels, we met up a second time with someone we’d first met in another part of the world.
In November, we met two close friends, Carol and Davida. They’ve been friends for years, both currently in their junior year of college and studying abroad in New Zealand and Australia, respectively. For school break, they met up in Southeast Asia for a backpacking adventure.
We crossed paths with them on our overnight trip to Khao Sok National Park in Thailand. You can read about our time with on the lake here.
At that point, we knew we’d be in Australia during February, but we didn’t know where we would be spending our time. As soon as we knew we’d be in the Gold Coast, we reached out to Davida who is studying at the University of Brisbane.
Peanut Butter Sandwich
When Sarah got in contact with Davida, we suggested a meet up for brunch. It worked out perfectly; Davida was driving north for the start of the school year (just finishing Summer here Down Under). We met in Coolangatta, deferring to Davida for a restaurant choice. She chose a great spot, Raw Energy Coolangatta. She was happy to not be eating a peanut butter sandwich, her typical beach meal (her words!) while living on a student budget!
Davida fun fact: We recalled Davida was a vegetarian, but we learned that she is a vegan and that she has NEVER tried meat in her life, coming from a vegetarian family.
Saying Hi
It was great to see Davida, such a fun loving and free spirit that we had instantly connected with in Thailand. The girls had been eager, with nervous energy anticipation.
Paige gave Davida a big hug, while Sadie in her typical way was a bit shy - a sign of over excitement. She was quick however to give Davida a little note and picture she made her the night before for the occasion.
Ukulele
Davida and Carol spent much of our boat ride together in Thailand singing to Paige and Sadie. Remembering how much they loved it, Davida brought her ukulele to sing to the girls - very thoughtful.
We caught up on each of our happenings since November over some delicious acai bowls.
Thrift Store
Davida was on her way back to school and moving into her house for the semester that day. She and her roommate were having an art party, to support a non profit, unlitter. She enlisted Paige and Sadie to help find items for her apartment and the art party.
Summer in the Car
Like a true free spirit on the Gold Coast, we learned and saw that Davida had lived the summer in a car she’d bought! She got a job at a beachside restaurant and spent the summer surfing the Gold Coast. So cool! She showed us her car setup, complete with her “bedroom, office and kitchen.”
We all had a great time catching up Davida and appreciate her making the effort to say hello. Our first two times meeting have been in far off corners of the world...I wonder where the third will be!
We made this video and sent it to Davida as a thank you!
People Over Places
One of the themes we’ve continued to speak about since embarking on our travels, is to embrace the people we meet along the way. The places we’re going are amazing, but the people we meet are a bigger part of our journey. This was an example of living that during our travels.
Thanks Davida for a great time, round 2!
PS. Carol - we missed you this time. Hope to see you sometime in Evanston, Go Cats!
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