The beaches were superb. The heat was lovely. The biplane ride was fantastic. The new constellations were intriguing. The night time swim (with possible sharks) was exhilarating. The chocolate was amazing. Animals? Fascinating. The seashells, rocks, temple, waterfall, mountain, parks, water, city, and sunsets, were beautiful. The family ...sensational! Loving through and through.
Tonight is the night I've been longing for since I got here; pizza night at (step-uncle) Bobs! Last time I was here he got a brand new pizza oven and flipped dough high in the air for me! I loved it so much that I've reminded Bob of it probably 20 times. He flipped the dough 10 feet up (sound effects inlcuded), and before you know it we had A LOT of pizzas and a house full of hungry people. After we were stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, everyone was socializing, and I found Bob and Philip on the deck outside. They were playing on their guitars! I pulled up a chair, curling my knees to my chest, and listened to their collaboration of music! Philip taught Bob 4 chords and then Philip sang along and by the end we had people from across the street catcalling and clapping! Then Bob played a slower song that was quite lovely. I watched the city lights of Adelaide twinkle in the distance, and the cool night breeze blowing past. Before we called it quits, a hearty song of "I'm a Believer" broke out, and everyone was goofing off! Philip sang out as much as I think he could, and Bob and I took the back up singing. By the end, all 30 of our frozen toes went inside.
My favorite thing about this trip is probably Chris' brothers.
Rick says I'm the only one in the world allowed to call him Fred. He calls me his girl (which sounds a bit more like "gell" with his accent) and dahling! Always count on a hug and kiss from Fred!
Bob always winks at me when I laugh at his jokes or when he think's he's about to prove some one wrong. And when he smiles, you can't help but smile too because he has the happiest smile wrinkles and dimples ever! He calls me Canna, and I like it.
Though not my blood uncles, I feel like they are really my family and like they all love me. ...Which makes leaving hard to process. (Or as Australians say, prOcess.) But here's what I've come to decide this trip:
Though it's difficult having family tucked far away in their own corners of the world, I find comfort that no matter where I travel, my family will be there. And there will always be a place with them I can call home.
