Written by South Pacific Overseas Educators, Soumya & Forrest
To my beloved superpoopers,
We came together like the Daintree River and parted ways many moons later like its many tributaries. Along the way, we lived and laughed through seventy beautiful, challenging, sweaty, hilarious, eye-opening, wild and wonderful days.
There are so many moments I look back on… a befuddling, chaotic few hours at the Sydney airport when we realized we’d be in Sydney for a lot longer than we thought. The first time Leslie (pronouns: bad/bitch) came home with Maddie. Driving up the Queensland coast to Sheoak for the first time. Playing Mafia around the campfire. Andy getting pooped on by River the wallaby. Rides on the ute with Claire and swapping stories with Marcus. Bandicoots! Protecting Kenzie from the alpha males. That time Asa tried to carry four people.
Port Douglas and using every apartment to cook Maddie’s ramen. Scuba diving and swimming through whole schools of fish. Our ‘Born in the USA’ Aussie friends. Garage accidents. Movie nights featuring Marcus’s recommendation.
Holding hands and dancing our way into the ClimateForce community, some what reluctantly. Learning about plants in the Daintree. Playing with Liana’s daughter Ayana. Cooking in the dark. Outdoor showers. Meeting Bails, Leo, and Naim and dancing under the stars with them. Nolan embracing his inner fire-whisperer. Finding “interesting” rubbish in our beach cleanup. Bonfires on the beach. Early morning runs and yoga. Stella being in her element.
Landing in Wellington and getting fined for 1/4 of a sausage roll. Adopting the Shaggin’ Wagon and rolling into the Hart Farm. Meeting all the pups, Kyla getting pooped on by cows during early morning farm chores, extreme Sardines. Giant Jenga, going for boat rides, Sting Pong bruises, RJ’s birthday and $80 Magic cards, movies on movies, and Ricky Baker and Midsommar scenes. Building steps, the sauna room, pizza night, and Limpus (RIP).
A rainy hike to Tongariro’s waterfalls, climbing indoors just for us, whacking the mini golf balls onto the street in the freezing sunset. Singing our original song for Tiaki at our first powhiri in Raglan (“yeahhh”). Endless “Purea nei”, a freezing cleansing ceremony, a blissful afternoon on top of Karioi mounga laying in the grass. Learning how to introduce ourselves in Maori using blocks, making Maori instruments, dressing up as each other for Halloween (shoutout to Treavor and Josie – who’s who?), long walks and runs on the beach, going to kickboxing, experiencing our first hangi, making harakeke baskets, being stunned by the beauty of waterfalls and nature and learning how to connect with it all. Closing it out with Rangimarie and Rob at the sweatlodge and a final meal with Maddisyn and Tiaki and our last hongi.
A few whirlwind days between Taupo, New Plymouth, and Wellington again. Strawberry ice cream from the farm, yellow sunflowers, sriracha accidents in the van, the coolest Macca’s in the world, and long visits to the loo (ahem). A ferry ride across the islands and we were met by Joe and Mike. Pizza on the beach and playing in the playground, an early morning with our first rako set, visiting the womb waterfalls with Matua Mike. Our little rustic farmhouse, entering the monster’s mouth of the cave and worming our way through the possum pass, slipping and sliding our way up the muddy mountain to the secret caves, Nolan leading us astray, trying kawakawa leaves, each karakia before each delicious meal. Beginning our long day hike and the endless games and humor we used to uplift each other, getting out on the water and kayaking. Paddling among sea lions, through rocks, watching the sunrise and sunset, fighting off the tenacious weka, catching the Carpe plague and continuing despite it, feeling our way through the trees. Sunrise over the water and arriving back at Whenua Iti. Joe’s jokes and pirate persona and Michael’s vulnerability and dedication.
And finally, our last week, Tasha and Josie at the helm. Long drives, an epic D&D campaign from our very own Forrest featuring our own SoPac adventure. Talia and Josie the two-headed single-hipped fey person, exploring the wilderness of the Karamea beach, our final group meeting. Swimming through tannin-brown water, visiting Pancake Rocks and being blindfolded to birthday dinner, a very sweet surprise treat by Tasha and Forrest, bright blue waters of the Hokitika Gorge. And finally, across Arthur’s Pass where we explored the braided gravel riverbeds to Christchurch. Jumping on the giant pillow bounce in the mornings, cuddle parties, late-night Hunger Games, and playing on the coolest playground. Rounding it out with a walk through our semester via the Botanical Gardens and games and love on a bittersweet night where we parted ways at the airport at 4 am.
I’m sure now you’re reveling in the comforts of home, cozy blankets, hugging your dog or gecko or guinea pig, food you’re used to, hot showers as long as you want, sleeping in your own bed. Being with family and friends from before, going on walks around your neighborhood. Each of you brought something special to this semester, with your humor, your love, your curiosity, your kindness, your enthusiasm, and your commitment to each other and to learn and grow and push yourselves. I hope you’ll remember this time not as something that happened to you, but as something you’ll take with you throughout the rest of your life – whether it’s friendship, learning, growth, inspiration, or a sense of belonging.
As I close, I want to leave you with this poem:
“Let go of the ways you thought life would unfold, the holding of plans or dreams or expectations – Let it all go.
Save your strength to swim with the tide.
The choice to fight what is here before you now will only result in struggle, fear, and desperate attempts to flee from the very energy you long for.
Let go. Let it all go and flow with the grace that washes through your days whether you received it gently or with all your quills raised to defend against invaders.
Take this on faith; the mind may never find the explanations that it seeks, but you will move forward nonetheless.
Let go, and the wave’s crest will carry you to unknown shores, beyond your wildest dreams or destinations.
Let it all go and find the place of rest and peace, and certain transformation.”
–Let It Go, Danna Faulds
I hope you continue to stay open to however life unfolds for you. May it be full of joy and love and adventure. It’s been an honor to be your OEs.
Nothing but love,
Salt & Pepper
(aka Soumya & Forrest -but who’s who?)
