I was hit in the face with a realisation the other day. Over the course of the next 8 weeks, I will wake up in no fewer than 7 different cities. What!?! That is crazy talk I hear you say. In this case, I completely agree with you! The best bit is, I planned it! Bah! This led me to thinking about seeing new things in the old as 3/4 of the trip will be to places I’ve grown to know in some manner and 1/4 will be brand new. I took myself for a walk along the river (in Brisbane, currently) and tried to see my ‘home’ city through the eyes of a traveller, summoning the same sense of mind when I took myself for a walk along the river in Frankfurt. Frankfurt and Brisbane reminded me of one another in some aspects, I figured it was a good place to start. In my usual style, I took a photo of the story bridge (which I still mentally refer to as the ‘Fairytale Bridge’ from childhood. I remember driving over it one time, sitting in the back of our Toyota on our way to my Aunt and Uncle’s place in the east of the city. I loved the lights and when Mum said ‘Story Bridge’ I heard ‘Fairytale’. There is a small insight into my mind), and then figured it would be fun to post it as “Where in the World Is Hayley Michelle?” Feel free to play along at home….
I had an interesting day with all this travel looming. I was dropped off in the Valley after a rousing exchange of who looked better in their ‘country road‘ pants (more referring to the style of pants, not specifically the brand though I’m still not sure I won) and how to avoid being bruised and beaten in mosh pits, as tickets for Bring Me the Horizon in September
have just gone on sale. Think I’m going, under caution to stand waaaaaaaayyyyyyy in the back. With songs like Follow You I’m not entirely sure that the band isn’t secretly asking for a little bit of love and a big hug. Anyway, I’ve been walking up with their album running on loop in my head, leading me to think I’ll wear my biggest boots and brightest clothing and stand against a fence to avoid the Wall of Death. Maybe I’ll find large, protector type people to stand behind? Like the security guards! I digress… following the thoughts of being battered and bruised for the sake of live music, I met with a girlfriend for coffee and catch ups. I lingered for another 2 hours while I facetimed into my fortnightly office meeting (my virtual office gives my work colleagues a variety of backdrops to experience with me!). Then I went to sort out my uni life- back to the days of study and learning things about Counselling so I may be formally qualified in this field I am so interested in. Luckily, this too can be performed from any location, lets hope the wifi in Spain is friendly and that I’m not overly distracted by the Jamón and Sangria to attend…
Did I mention it was ridiculously hot in Brisbane last week?? So much so, that when faced with no specific office to return to after lunch, I ended up hanging out in the refrigerated meat section of the grocery store to make some quick phone calls and bring my core temperature back to something short of boiling. Not sure I should admit that raw meat is one of my workspaces (though I have done ergo assessments in abattoirs in Australia and Canada, so not much of a stretch really)… I think I’ll view it as a life skill: “can seek appropriate temperatures to avoid spontaneous combustion while still being productive”. Put that one at the top of my résumé for life! Successfully avoided being a puddle: Check!
The temperature in Queensland is making me a little excited for the pending plane rides to places that are on the cooler side. Though as Melbourne is first city off the bat, and the most unpredictable, I am not packing away the summer dresses just yet. Though as I’ll be there for like 24 hours so I’ll tough it out I’m sure. Worst case scenario: bars for warmth, grocery store meat sections for cool. See – life lessons!
For those of you wanting to play ‘Where in the world is Hayley?’, the itinerary looks a little like this:
Melbourne, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Perth, Brisbane, Calgary, Las Vegas, Chicago, (somewhere in Spain/Portugal – TBC), Seville, Brisbane.
I’ll be working, studying, playing, laughing, and probably doing headstands….
Be sure to get in touch if there is an opportunity to catch up and equally fill our lives with a
little bit of #recklessabandontour adventure!
Hayley – Director of Joy and Abundance coming to a virtual workspace near you! (I need some kind of map….)
Happy Wandering!
Hx