Bringing in the year of the snake

Jon and I made our way from the Gold Coast to Melbourne for a quick overnight trip so we could celebrate the Chinese New Year with my friends. Visiting Melbourne also allowed us the opportunity to meet up with Dayne and Lauren, a couple we met and befriended while in New Orleans during our road trip in the fall. 

It was a long distance to cover but well worth the effort. The way we saw it, we had already traveled across the world...what was one more flight and adding another city to our itinerary so we could see our friends.

This was the first domestic flight we had taken in Australia and we were a bit shocked to find out that no form of identification whatsoever was required to board our plane. In all my travels to date, I have yet to experience such leniency in air travel.  Our flight was delayed in leaving the Gold Coast, so as a result, we were left with 23 hours in total for our visit in Melbourne.

Once we landed in Melbourne and after the steward made the standard announcement regarding our arrival, the Captain came on to make an additional statement. Over the speaker system we heard, "A very special welcome to Jon and Nadia on board, welcome to Melbourne from Dayne." It took Jon and me a moment to register the fact we were just personally greeted over the loud speaker of the plane... how in the world did Dayne pull those strings?! This was hands down, the coolest thing that has ever happened to either of us on a flight.

Karen and her husband Derek greeted us at the airport and we made our way to Chaddstone where our friend Wendy was hosting the Chinese New Year celebration. We arrived to Wendy's house to find an intimate gathering of friends and a gorgeous spread of home made Chinese delicacies waiting for us. We enjoyed great conversation and wonderful deep belly laughs throughout dinner and the games we played following our meal. One good laugh came at the expense of Jon when we finally bullied him into trying the cold pig ear dish. Although he relented, it was clear from the look on his face he would have been happier eating the dumplings. 

This was my first Chinese New Year celebration and seeing how we were entering the year of the Snake, my Chinese calendar sign, I felt very fortunate for the opportunity to celebrate the occasion with my Chinese friends.

Following dinner we made our way into downtown Melbourne to meet Dayne and Lauren. We partied at The Carlton, a multi-story club featuring excellent music and an eclectic crowd. 

We spent the next day enjoying a wonderful lunch with Karen and Derek, our wonderful hosts for the evening who graciously opened their home to us, before heading to the airport for our flight to Cairns.

Despite such a short stay in Melbourne, my time there was a testament to the wonderful connections and people I am blessed to have in my life. I met Karen and Wendy through work and despite us all leaving the company in pursuit of other paths, our friendship has stood the test of time and distance. Jon and I met Dayne and Lauren for one night, albeit an epic one, in New Orleans and developed a quick bond. 

My time in Melbourne reminded me of a quote from Jon Katz. "I think if I have learned anything about friendship, it is to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together." 

Jon and me with Dayne and Lauren at The Carlton in Melbourne, Australia.

Nadia and Jon celebrating the Chinese New Year with Victoria, Gloria, David, Wendy, Derek and Karen.