On to the Next Grand Adventure: The Beginning of My Soul Quest in New Zealand
December 8 • 7:09 p.m. • PDX Airport, Gate E5
When I arrived at the airport with my grandma in tow—bags packed, ready to rock and roll—I pulled into the upper lot to find a goose painted on the wall and 3s everywhere.
For those of you who don’t know, my nickname has been Goose for the better part of the last four years. And even more meaningfully, 33 is not only my soul-path number, but the number 3 in general has followed me around since birth. The signs are everywhere. In the ease and flow of planning and booking this trip. In the numbers that keep showing up. Even in the free coffee gifted to me by the sweet girl behind the counter.
The clairvoyant woman I spoke to on my 27th birthday—November 22 of this year—told me I’d start noticing things that point me in the right direction and affirm my path. She said this trip would be a soul upgrade: a time to meet people and build community, to write stories, to work with Indigenous people, to fall in love with life and with myself again and again.
I see things clearly as I sit here with my packed lunch of boiled eggs, sauerkraut, and salmon. My grandma joked, “Boy, are your plane neighbors going to love you.” So here I am, eating this stinky but delicious grub, heart full—of gratitude, peace, and a deep inner knowing that I am meant to be exactly where I am. In this moment, and in every moment after, I hope to keep listening. To grab life and hug her close, but loosely. To stay open to the endless possibilities of the universe at my fingertips. The world outstretched like the mouth of an oyster, and me the dazzling pearl that lives inside it—made of it.
My next stop is San Francisco. Then comes Auckland, where I’ll land a day in the future: December 10 at 10 a.m. I’ll pick up my rental car, collect myself, find my bearings, and then drive north to Mangawhai, where I’ll begin my journey with my first Workaway—on the land of a mother and her two daughters. I’ll be surrounded by beautiful beaches, animals, surfing, and hopefully beautiful souls to connect with.
It’s time to spread my goose wings and fly.
My boarding group is nearly up, so I must bid you adieu.
Follow this Substack and/or the “Storytelling” section of my website to keep up with my adventure.
Until next time, my loves.
Honk honk!
Adiós! Auf Wiedersehen! Poroporoaki!
P.S. I just met two girls—both wearing double backpacks and also traveling to New Zealand. So I’ve already made two new friends. I made it to my seat, 29F and am sitting next to the man I connected with at the gate initially. My bag fits perfectly, and I’m nice and cozy with my coffee in hand. 3 galleries to edit! Signs everywhere! Here we go!