Final Words from Down Under

It's my turn to write my final entry on the adventures of Elisabeth and I. After picking up Allison, the last two weeks in New Zealand flew by and thanks to Allison's intervention, they could not have been any better. In ten days we did another... as Mrs. Cameron headless chook trip around the north island. From encounters with Israeli boys, to skinny-dipping under a beach side waterfall, to wwoofing at a farm where the lady made us eat off plates with Palmolive still encrusted on them and the man only had one facial expression which resembled Sloth in the Goonies when offered a Baby Ruth, to revisiting Marion and Bella in our favorite area of Hawke's Bay, to our final splurging with relaxing in thermal pools and dining on Indian cuisine... the good times were never ending. Thanks to Allison for bringing us exactly what we needed and being such a good sport camping and going along with all our headless chook plans. She put herself in a position very much outside her norm and was a great inspiration.

So many stories, antecdotes, self-realizations, ups, downs, and moments of utmost content. These past three months were more than I could have dreamt of. I Thank God for all the glorious people who helped us along our way and for keeping us safe and healthy along the journey. As for my best mate and travel companion, I want to iterate just how much of a blessing Elisabeth was to me along the way. Because of Elisabeth and her strong, selfless, and thoughtful nature, I not only have finally made it to this country have dreamt of for 14 years, but have grown in so many ways and will be returning a much more confident and self-aware person than I was three months ago. Thank you Elisabeth... for everything... I look forward to telling the stories for years to come.

Now Captain Trundler is in the hands of another backpacker, Elisabeth is back in Philadelphia and I am just back from a sun-rise run along a little stretch of sand called Diamond Beach, where six years ago I ventured alone to live with Megan and the Camerons. It's amazing how you can be away from someone for so many years, then come back and it be as though not a day has past. Megan is the same but with darker hair and we resorted to our familiar antics almost immediately. The Camerons likewise haven't changed a bit from their busy, overly generous, and caring ways, and they have graciously accepted me back in their home and treated me as one of their own daughters (harassment and all). We cooked a lovely Thanksgiving meal and celebrated Aussie style with palms on the table in 90 degree heat. And there was so much to be thankful for! Monday I catch a plane from Sydney to LA and will spend five days there with my dear Auntie Victoria.

Thank you all once again for keeping updated and interested in our travels. God Bless and I look forward to catching up with all of you upon my return. And while I'm at it... MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Love,
mattie ruth