Restless Ness
A PERSONAL COLLECTION OF TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
Content by Vanessa Rymes, Photos and illustrations by Heather Leslie
When we travel, we collect more than cheezy tourist stuff; we collect memories. Vanessa, nick-named “Restless Ness”, shares her experiences from her year-long trip she took to Australia and South-East Asia through some not so typical mementos.
Surfing was insane. It's been my dream to learn to surf for as long as I can remember. Something always held me back, however and I didn't get to attend the surf camp until just before I left Australia. I went to the camp with Marie who was my closest friend. It was our last big thing together before we went our separate ways. Surfing was so hard. We surfed twice a day for five days. On the 4th day I finally stood up! The feeling of flying over the waves was amazing, but the best part was the sense of accomplishment. I hadn't given up, I hadn't quit and I did it! I started yelling and jumping up and down once I hit the beach. Everyone was so happy for me because they all knew how hard I struggled. I tend to give up on things pretty easily, so I was so proud of myself for not quitting.
“The feeling of flying over the waves was amazing, but the best part was the sense of accomplishment.”
When I was in Australia, I learned some valuable lessons, the most important being that everything will be okay and that everything happens for a reason. They were two things I never believed in before. I got my tattoo because I was worried that when I got back to Canada, I would forget everything I had learned in Australia. I was worried I would fall back into the unhappy rut I had been in, so I decided to get a tattoo to remind myself of everything I learned, and the experiences I had. I picked the Frangipani flower because it's a beautiful flower that just grows everywhere and I remember having my first big "I'm in Australia" moment staring at one. I put it on my wrist so I can see it every day and remember when I start to freak out or stress . . . everything happens for a reason, and everything works out.
“Everything happens for a reason and everything works out.”
I have always wanted to try scuba diving, but until that first day on the sailboat, I'd never been in the ocean. Hopping into the water and trying to breathe through a mouthpiece was terrifying. I freaked out and couldn't do it. Weeks later, I was still mad at myself for backing out, so I booked another dive. The lady who booked it called them and told them that I was scared. Before the dive, I was so freaked out that I even threw up beforehand! After what felt like forever, I finally put my head under the water. Seeing all the fish got me so excited that I forgot about being scared. The instructor held my hand the entire time, and was so patient that I don't think I could have done it without him. Afterwards I was so proud of myself for over-coming my fear! As amazing as that dive was though, what stands out the most is how everyone took such good care of me. Now I want to get my PADI certification.
“I finally put my head under the water. Seeing all the fish got me so excited that I forgot about being scared.”
I lived in a tiny little house in Sydney with six other people. There were these three crazy French girls who stayed there for a month. They kept promising me crêpes after they learned that they were a treat my father use to make me on special occasions, so on our last night as housemates, the French girls made crêpes. We drank wine, took pictures, and ate lots of crêpes.
“I can still hear the music and remember dancing in the sun with my friends.”
I met a couple of good friends while in Australia, and we all went on a wine tour. When we arrived at Tempest Two Winery, it looked amazing. There were wide-open spaces, lush greenery, a water fountain in the front, and a guy outside playing Spanish music. Vix, Marie and I all started dancing around and laughing. I can still hear the music and remember dancing in the sun with my friends. It was just a great day, with my two closest friends in Oz. Oh, and they had *the best wine* I’ve ever had!
Souvenirs
by Vanessa Rymes
The path stretches out before me and I don’t know where it goes
I can’t go back the way I came, but I carry where I’ve been with me
A bracelet from one place, sandals from another
I bought a painting from there and took photos from here
An accent brought from home clashes with expressions learned away
That sunset I’ll remember forever, and that breeze I’ll never forget
I learned how to breathe, and remembered how to laugh
His sweet smile will stay with me and I refuse to forget her kindness
Songs evoke feelings and bring me back to the moments I’d lost
When I close my eyes, I can still feel the bliss of being in his arms
My heart broke one day and I recall the pain of goodbye
Tears of joy and sadness are etched on my soul
Everywhere I go, I take souvenirs along with me
Some I hold in my hand, most I carry in my heart