A Bourdanian Night
Bourdanian Nights don't just happen... They usually begin with mornings that lead to afternoons, and then before you know it... Night has arrived.
"Feeling my way through the darkness guided by a beating a heart. I can't tell where the journey will end. But I know where to start."
There I was standing in my Airbnb kitchen in miserable talking to my new Thai surgeon friend while she hustled about getting a quick breakfast ready while I was lost in deep thought with so much anger burning. How did a dream go so sideways? Was I not living a dream? I made and was suppose to succeed Down Under! This is my “Walk about”... My Gap year. My epic restart to a life but was derailed months time ago. I was trying to inspire and show my friends, family, or anyone that would listen or pay attention that you can make it all happen - Dreams… Only to find oneself jobless with another dive charter canceled under what looked to me like dubious excuses – Weather.
Folks, you get the gist of my complaining. And I was complaining to person I just met and frankly shouldn't give two Bhants (Thai currency) about my problems and disappointments on not being some great and inspiring person traveling about Australia.
Yet, Thai people are some of the most kind and hospitable people in the world. After hearing me drone on and on about my first world problems she simply offered to make dinner. Even through my own it was humbling. Image, a full medical surgeon offers to make you a full course Thai meal after being in surgeries all day. I can’t speak for you folks…
But I would greatly suggest you accept an offer like this if you find yourself in a similar place. Take the kindness of a stranger who has no ulterior motive.
As for me, my plan was to take another hour round trip to Coles grocery to get all that we need because it wasn’t just a dinner for me. Our next door neighbor was invited as well, Lydia. A Brit that was practicing as an imaging tech. So I spent the rest of my morning and afternoon going to the grocery store and watching remaining Avicii Documentary. So sad this guy got his dream and then, from what I can tell, the dream consumed him.
That night I cannot remember the names of the entrees or what was in them until I relook at the pictures. I cannot remember the details of the conversations. I cannot even remember what day of the week this happened. But what I can tell you is that I did live my dream. Three strangers from different parts of the world sat around a dinner table that night passing food, ideas, and smiles, to each other like old friends – laughing and learning. For me, and I hope for both of them too, not just food was consumed for nourishment.
I wish I could tell you that all was better from then on with my adventure down under or with my own outlook… But it wasn’t. What I can tell you folks is that another “Just then” moment happened that night. It was truly a Bourdanian moment… And I can barely remember their faces without looking at their Facebook profiles.
Most often It’s not until years later you realize how much value is in a moment... Or that you got exactly what you needed vs what you wanted. There is a big difference between the two. What I was reminded in Townsville is that dreams take a lot of work to make happen. We all know this, and maybe why many never pursue their own dreams. What I learned is once you achieve that dream it requires constant work to keep it alive. Maybe people like Avicii didn't understand this lesson or those around assumed he just knew... Then again, I didn't come to understand it until years later either.
Nevertheless. That night was over soon enough, and it was time to move on.
A day or two later I caught an uber. Time to catch another flight. Time to head to the Norther Territory. Off to Darwin. Off to "Man's country"… So, I guess Sean my mohawk punk rock friend… I will C U in the Northern Territory after all.
"They tell me I'm too young to understand They say I'm caught up in a dream Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes well thats fine by me.”
Folks, you get the gist of my complaining. And I was complaining to person I just met and frankly shouldn't give two Bhants (Thai currency) about my problems and disappointments on not being some great and inspiring person traveling about Australia.
“I tried carrying the weight of the world But I only have two hands."
Yet, Thai people are some of the most kind and hospitable people in the world. After hearing me drone on and on about my first world problems she simply offered to make dinner. Even through my own it was humbling. Image, a full medical surgeon offers to make you a full course Thai meal after being in surgeries all day. I can’t speak for you folks…
But I would greatly suggest you accept an offer like this if you find yourself in a similar place. Take the kindness of a stranger who has no ulterior motive.
"Hope I get the chance to travel the world but I don't have any plans."
As for me, my plan was to take another hour round trip to Coles grocery to get all that we need because it wasn’t just a dinner for me. Our next door neighbor was invited as well, Lydia. A Brit that was practicing as an imaging tech. So I spent the rest of my morning and afternoon going to the grocery store and watching remaining Avicii Documentary. So sad this guy got his dream and then, from what I can tell, the dream consumed him.
"Wish That I could stay forever this young Not afraid to close my eyes"
"Life's a game made for everyone and love is a prize"
I wish I could tell you that all was better from then on with my adventure down under or with my own outlook… But it wasn’t. What I can tell you folks is that another “Just then” moment happened that night. It was truly a Bourdanian moment… And I can barely remember their faces without looking at their Facebook profiles.
"So wake me up when it's all over. When I'm wiser and I'm older..."
Most often It’s not until years later you realize how much value is in a moment... Or that you got exactly what you needed vs what you wanted. There is a big difference between the two. What I was reminded in Townsville is that dreams take a lot of work to make happen. We all know this, and maybe why many never pursue their own dreams. What I learned is once you achieve that dream it requires constant work to keep it alive. Maybe people like Avicii didn't understand this lesson or those around assumed he just knew... Then again, I didn't come to understand it until years later either.
Nevertheless. That night was over soon enough, and it was time to move on.
"All this time I was finding myself, and I Didn't know I was lost"
A day or two later I caught an uber. Time to catch another flight. Time to head to the Norther Territory. Off to Darwin. Off to "Man's country"… So, I guess Sean my mohawk punk rock friend… I will C U in the Northern Territory after all.
Dustin J Casey © 2024
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