In honor of World Gratitude Day… Just a few days late. Merci Beaucoup Abaco on Jervois!
I remember walking hand in hand with my daughter and husband in downtown Auckland- This was our very first day of sightseeing in the city, the day prior we were in transit on our seventeen hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand. My seven year old daughter was verbally listing all the events that made this the “best day ever!”
1. Ice-skating to Christmas music at the Aotea city centre and celebrating one of her favorite holidays in July in New Zealand.
2. Playing at the Prince Albert Park, climbing cool trees, and running in wide open spaces.
3.Eating one of her favorite dishes, Korean duk bok kee, at the international food court for lunch.
The sun had set, and it was about six in the evening. The parking garage had cleared out, and it felt a bit eerie as we walked to our car. The positive energy and excitement that exuded from all of us just a few moments ago came to an abrupt halt. As we approached our rental car we noticed the car’s back window was shattered and all of our luggage was gone.
My daughter started crying-“what are we going to do without all of our stuff?” I mumbled to myself we still have our credit cards, passports, and most importantly each other. It was dark, and cold by the time we finished filing a police report. I was looking forward to getting away from the area and checking in to our accommodations. Jet lagged, international time zone differences, and all this drama was a lot for this suburbanite family. Sleep sounded like a great idea.
The owner at Abaco on Jervois, where we were staying, checked us in while chatting about his daughter and wife’s recent trip to southern California. They had just returned from Hollywood, and the happiest place on earth-Disneyland. He offered to help us with our luggage, and wanted to make sure we had milk in the refrigerator for tea. We shared our carpark story and explained that we had no luggage to take up to the room. “What a shame,” he said empathetically. While we settled into our room and put the kettle on for our cup of tea, he sent his wife to drop off a shaving kit for my husband, toothbrushes and toothpaste, pajamas for myself and my daughter so that we could have something clean to sleep in, and a stuffed Kiwi bird to snuggle with for my daughter. They also offered to do our wash. Their actions made us feel welcome, comfortable, and safe. I was so grateful to meet such kind people. Thank you Abaco on Jervois for making us feel at home so far away from home.
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Marcel Proust (1871-1922), french novelist
Life In The Blue Zone 