Thin Places

Well, the last days have been jam-packed and SO nice. Our first day here we had lunch with Claire, then went home to unpack and shower after the looooong flight. I was so confused about the date. We left on the sixth and arrived on the eight, and only traveled for about 20 hours total (including our four hr layover in Fiji)... so that doesn't quite add up, and I'm thinking there might have been a picktimepocket on the plane. :/

Anyway, after we were all cleaned up, Claire took us out to Palm beach where we experienced Australian beaches for the first time. The water was deliciously warm and the sand was cool and deep. We walked around, waded a bit, played on some rocks, then climbed a path to a magical road and walked till dark. The air was full of sweet summertime, and crickets were chirping. I felt as if I were walking in a poem, or Narnia, or a dream. It was one of those thin moments where the lines between the eternal and the temporal were so thin that the two bled into each other, making the ordinary heavenly and the heavenly seem ordinary.

On the 10th Claire took  Isaac and I up to the Royal National Park, along with Stiki (her sister) and Luke (a friend). The drive up was beautiful, as was the National Park itself. I didn't get any pictures, because I lent my camera card to Isaac.

We took a hike up the shore trail, and Luke and I made up all sorts of Australian history and biological facts. We came across bunches of "edible plants" that Luke insisted were "best if you just eat the whole thing at once. Stuff it all in." We also happened upon a "Native American Structure" and plenty else. Claire informed me that the bananas really grow under the plant, as a root - like a potato! Yes, and Luke told us many other things - like about the Qantas animals (similar to Kangaroos), which bound from tree to tree, only REALLY high and far! They have pouches to carry humans, and it's much easier and more comfortable than traveling by kangaroo. Kangaroos are a lot slower and can only carry small people (unless you use two - one foot in each - and that gets really awkward if they don't jump in unison).

When we arrived at our destination - the cliffs - Claire and I had a long talk about the last couple of years. It's been about two years since we saw each other last, and although we've kept each other updated about the main points, there were lots of details to catch up on. We've both grown up a lot since that year of Ravencrest. The setting was pretty unforgettable - a good friend and good conversation at the top of some high cliffs, with waves crashing down below - so far that it made you a little dizzy to lay on the edge and look over.

When we were done talking, we hiked back with the others and took our remaining food down to a hidden beach. The scenery was like a movie. Everything seemed surreal: from the deep, crashing waves right in front of us to the still water and jungle-y trees behind. We walked through the sand and some park-like trees to a hidden lake. There was magic in the air the whole time. I wouldn't have been surprised to run across the middle of a story, or a mythical creature. I think I must have been glowing. The air was. Another thin place, I suppose.

Finally we headed out... but not without getting lost first! That was a little alarming (mostly because it was dark), but we found our way shortly, so all was well.

When we got home, Claire and I talked a bunch more before bed, then fell into dreamland.

There's lots more coming... for example - Christy's first time snorkeling! Stay tuned. :)