However, while I was donating shoes that were still perfectly good and shirts that I was wearing on a weekly basis, I still managed to shove my duvet cover into my carry on. This duvet cover was the first one I bought when I moved to Ireland. I had to leave it behind when going back to the USA at the end of my Working Holiday in Dublin, but there it was for me again when I (unexpectedly) made it back a year later. I even dragged it with me to Edinburgh while I took my CELTA course, only to have found an air b&b that was fully furnished with bedding.
I haven't actually slept with it since I left Dublin at the end of 2015, but now here it is once more providing warm and comfortable blanketing for me in Wellington, New Zealand.
We've been through a lot together, and I've developed some sentimental feelings.
That's me and Duvey.
Just kidding, I haven't named it, whatchu think?!
I might add that I reasoned bringing it with me so that I could save money by not having to buy a new one. Fair enough, right??
So today in the morning, I sent a message to a Facebook group that posts deals in Wellington about where I can buy the cheapest space heater and blankets. Even though it's summer here, my room still gets really cold on cloudy days and I can feel myself getting sick :( Wah
Instantly, a woman responded saying she'd donate some of her blankets to me! I was so shocked by her kindness! All I had to do was pick them up in Kilbirnie. That was perfect for me. I needed an excuse to workout, so I decided to run there and then I'd walk back with all the blankets. I put two Lidl bags (reusable grocery bags) into a backpack and was on my way.
Her place in Kilbirnie is about 4 miles (6.5 km) from my house, so after the tenth song played on my ipod I was there. It was a beautiful sunny day with a cool breeze- the perfect day for a trek.
I was surprised to find that she had collected heaps of things from her place for me to have, because she was moving out soon! Before I knew it, we were cramming 3 thick heavy blankets, a duvet, many pillow cases, a mirror, and a few pieces of clothing into my bags. She had to grab me a big black bin bag to fit everything.
She also gave me three duvet covers.
three. free. duvet covers.
Yet again, I had dragged this golden flowery goodness across the world with me for no reason. But that's ok. Like I said, sentimental feelings were involved so...
I left her apartment with a full backpack, two Lidl bags, and the bin bag and was on my way. At first, I was thinking 'this isn't so bad.' I had tied one of the Lidl bags to the strap on my backpack (I was feeling real smart for that little maneuver. hah)
After 15 minutes, I was dying. DYING. Like, out of breath, sweating, sore....and I had so much more to go. I wasn't even a mile into my journey. I started to day dream about cars pulling over and offering me help. Then I dreamed about the common folk who were walking in the same direction as me asking if I needed a hand. But somehow I knew, deep down, that I was going to have to go through this by myself.
Not even halfway there yet, and I'm feeling light headed. My stomach was turning around on itself. I hadn't eaten for four hours. When I was crossing the road, I didn't see a car coming and they HONKED at me...sounded like the honk from Hades, I swear that shit made me jump like Basketball Jones. I don't even know if that was a good reference, I just really like that song.
After the honk, I had to drop everything on the side of the path and take a breather. Resting wasn't as helpful as I thought it was going to be. My arms felt so weak, my head was tingling, and I just wanted to sit down more than anything. I had no food with me, no water, and...no money. I can't say I really gave this journey much thought before embarking on it.
I didn't let myself sit down because I knew it would be ten times harder to continue, and I literally couldn't stop because I had nothing with me. I wasn't going to feel better until I made it home and could have some water and rest. So I loaded up and headed out once more.
At this point I started saying 'god is with me and everything with be alright' in my head, over and over, and I'm not even religious. I don't know if I believe in a god. But I was sending a prayer to the universe, and just saying it actually made me feel stronger. I was able to muster up another spurt of strength before it got really bad again.
Was I going to die? No, no, that's silly. Was I going to get sick and need to go to the hospital? I instantly changed my thoughts after this one, focusing on my breathing. That really helped me. I would focus on breathing; sometimes in through my nose and out through my mouth, and other times more like I was at a pregnancy class. By the third mile I was properly wheezing.
Am I going to pass out? I watched as the streets became more crowded and still no one offered to help the human pack mule carry her things. I wondered if someone would help me if I passed out. Would that be a big enough sign? My breathing started to induce weird looks from my neighbors. The people in front of me would turn around and look when I got close enough. Others just looked at me like I was a nuisance when my bags would brush up against them.
But like I said before, I knew that this journey was meant to be made alone. I didn't actually expect anyone to offer help, although I was fantasizing about it...
By the time I reached the street that lead to my house (which goes up a hill) my eyes were rolling a bit. Then they started to close. You know that feeling when you're really tired and your eyes can't stay open. That was happening to me. I felt like I was going to throw up.
Then I finally reached my place (after an hour and 40 minutes of this hell), threw the bags in my room, and crawled upstairs to grab food and water. It was like some mechanism inside me turned on and I suddenly knew how to take care of exhaustion. I've never experienced anything like this before in my life, but I think I handled it pretty well.
First I ate a banana. I had to take a bite and let it sit in my mouth for a minute so I could breathe. Then I chewed a bit. Then I stopped to breathe again. I was wheezing for at least 15 minutes. I took little sips of water, and forced myself to sit up on the floor with my back against the bed. All I wanted to do was lay down, but I was worried that I would pass out. After finishing the banana, and steadying my breath a little more, I pulled myself up onto my bed and just plopped there like a potato. I was too weak to stand up.
From then on, things gradually became better. I ate more, I drank more. Even after finishing almost 2 litres of water, my pee was still dark (tmi? sorry not sorry).
Now as I lay here typing, I can feel every inch of my body from the soreness. But other than that, I'm ok. That was some crazy kind of experience. And if I learned anything from it, I'd have to say it was this:
Always bring money with you on long journeys. I don't care if you're trying to save, swallow your pride and spend $3.50 on a bus ticket.
If you've made it this far, you're a star.
Until next time
xxKa
What an inspiring story! I felt your pain. These are the types of situations that make believers out of nonbelievers. I see God's presence every step of the way here.
ReplyDelete... and I love 'Duvey'!
DeleteLove you Aunt Jaehne <3
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