By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information.
Please note that not all content is translated or available to residents of all countries. Contact us for full details.
Shares
Living the dream for a year in Sydney came to a painful and heartbreaking end, therefore I’m here once again packing my entire life in a suitcase and a hand luggage and heading to the airport. Not sure how to gather myself because this is so totally what I don’t want to do, but my visa is over and I must board that plane with direction Bali. At the gate I’m still quite puzzled, but a glimpse of excitement finds its way into my system and I look a bit more positively at my boarding pass that indicates a window seat. Lucky me, I get to see the Opera House for a last time through the glass of the giant mobile cinema departing the gorgeous Harbour city. Between tears and stumbles I reach my seat and the last thing I want is human interaction. I’m mortified noticing that someone takes a seat next to me because I really hoped to have a bit of a personal space considering my very vulnerable state. I’m even more shocked to notice that my neighbor is greeting me with a sincere smile and a pleasant voice, which kind of feels comforting. Naturally I try replying on the same tone but my forced smile gives up my pretended happy mood and I hear : “ What’s going on with you?” A few minutes into the flight, Jack, my new friend is already listening to my Australia stories and sharing a few of his as well. He’s patient and positive, understanding and compassionate. I like the feeling and I feel totally comfortable sharing more and more of my stories and I genuinely feel understood and accepted. I’m still unsure what sort of magic is he using to make me laugh out loud, but certainly lifts my spirit considerably and gives me another reason to appreciate the Aussie easygoingness that comes handy when your mood is on the floor. Jacks positivity is indeed contagious and I already picture myself flying back to Sydney in the near future. On the other hand, it seems that I am managing to inspire a bit too, my Transylvanian origin creating a funny atmosphere filled with hilarious jokes. Next to great company I’m receiving a bunch of useful tips for Bali as well because Jack spent most of his vacations there and knows the ins and outs of the place just as well as a local. I feel really fortunate about having someone so bright on my side, who is willing to share useful insights both about Bali and Australia. A journey that I expected to be dull and sad turned out to be one of the most enjoyable ones I ever experienced and all because of the greatness of a person that I may never see in my life again. My sadness about leaving Sydney disappeared for that while thanks to this stranger I met at the right time in the right place. Amazing things happen when we expect the least.