When It Rains

We’ve been traveling now for over two months. It’s been a wonderful adventure and, yesterday, we celebrated Valentine’s Day in Queenstown, New Zealand on the waterfront at Eichhardt’s Grille. It was a lovely day and wonderful to talk about the highlights from our more-than-30-years together. We still can’t believe we have reached retirement and are now living the dream we only imagined when we first got together and talked about spending a few months each year living in some of the destinations we had rushed through as tourists with limited vacation time.

Our first 31 days were spent in Auckland. That long stretch of days felt luxurious and languorous. After less than a week, we felt like new locals – recognizing shortcuts to get around and getting a feel for the shops and sites. We became “regulars” at a couple of them. It felt magical, almost like finding a secret second home. Then, suddenly, we could hear the ticking clock – our time was winding down – the next destination was beckoning.

Queenstown hsa been our “home” for nearly 10 days now, with another 3 days remaining. Again, we learned our way around the town. We ran the local running trails. Our VRBO accommodation transformed into our home-away-from-home and it now feels cozy and lovely. Here’s the view from the window over our kitchen sink – it’s hard to beat!

Queenstown is a beautiful city in one of the most spectacular settings we ever encountered during our travels around the world. And our time here has been blissful.

But, along the way, we’ve also had a few rainy days. Today is one of those days. And I have really come to appreciate them. They force us to remain inside and just be still. On rainy days, I really feel the rhthym of the place. Nothing is happening. We aren’t rushing off to do something. Everything slows down. It’s just the two of us in a new place.

We pull out our books of the moment and read. Or we get on our computers and answer email and pay bills. Or we play music. Or we just chat together. Or listen to the rain pattering on the roof and windows and watch the clouds moving past. It’s a quiet moment in the busy travel experience – a moment of respite and regeneration.

I have come to accept rainy, “down” days as a vital part of our sojourn. They are not lost days or wasted time. In fact, they are often the very moments I most remember afterwards. They allow us to absorb and process what we have done and seen. They give us a moment to prepare for the future and think about the unknown experiences that lie ahead of us. They restore and revitalize us, enabling us to go on.

Thank God for rainy days.

— Scot