Wow.

I couldn‘t believe my eyes when we saw a dolphin one swimming really close to where we were standing. At first I wasn‘t sure what I noticed in the water but it actually was one. Maia and I both got really excited! My first time seeing dolphins in the wild!

See, the thing about memories is not only the experience itself but who you get to share it with. Seeing those dolphins would have been great on my own too, a experience to remember. Seeing them with Maia however is extra special. It did not only mean someone to share the joy with, it also in a way connects us. Every time I would think back to the dolphins or even see a photo of one, I will be reminded on this special day with my new friend, which I can hopefully consider Maia as.

Quickly I took a photo. A reminder of this great animal encounter, kind of as a proof that I did not imagine it, but it was real.

I couldn‘t wait to tell my friends and family back in Germany about it, I knew they would be excited. In Germany where there aren't many beaches, you would never have a chance to see one other than an aquarium or other captivated spaces.

A few minutes later the dolphin had dissapeared but my excitment hasn‘t. I have always been a big fan of those large mammals.

I stared into the ocean, a small smile still on my lips. Maybe it would come back, maybe I was this lucky.

After a while I felt a pair of eyes watching me. I turned around, only to see Maia standing there, watching me. We looked into each others eyes for a few seconds. Hers are hazel, they seem so deep and sparkly at the same time. I shyly looked a way after a few seconds.

„ I don‘t think we have time to go to the beach anymore“ Maia informed me, never attempting to move her eyes. „Potentially the Botanic Gardens though and the Blue Boatshouse, as it is a lot closer to here“

„No idea what that is but I am in“ She smiled at me, I could tell she was happy too. Her lips were covered in a pink lipstick, curved into a nice smile, flashing her perfectly white teeth.

I was enjoying myself too. Not going to lie I was slightly nervous at first and my mind was occupied with everything that happened yesterday, however now I am just enjoying my day with my new friend in this new country I will be living in for a while.

We walked through the Botanic Gardens. They were evaluated, providing a view of both the ocean and the city from a nice angle. I am not really the biggest fan of Botanic Gardens, yet I enjoyed our little walk through them.

„Tell me about your friends and family back in Germany“ Maia suggested, so I did.

„ Well I am an only child. I grew up with my mom who is half-Irish and half-German and my dad who is German. I also was always really close with my grandparents but they unfortunately passed a few years ago. And my friends are mostly people I met in school, with some of them I used to hang out everyday, now it‘s difficult though. I mean even before Australia. They are all busy working or studying“

One thing I love about Maia is that she actually pays attention. She would never look at her phone or get distracted by anything when someone is talking to her. Despite all the beautiful flowers and plants surrounding us as we continue to walk around, her eyes were focussed entirely on me and she was taking in every detail I said.

I realized that I knew nothing about her past life, other than that she is British, why she is here and a few random facts from the games yesterday.

I know what a great kisser she is

That thought just had to come to my mind, but I quickly pushed it away.

„ I have two sisters, 13 and 27, so I am the middle child, Right in the middle. I used to live with my mom and dad near London but moved to a small town a few years prior. My grandma now lives next to us...well I don‘t live there anymore but next to my parents and younger sister.

I have a big family, lots of cousins, aunts and uncles. Can be fun, can be annoying.

And I have a best friend who I have known for 3 or 4 years now and she is the best. I miss her, her name‘s Emilia“

After a while we reached the end of the Gardens. Maia led me down a small hill to a road. On the other side of the road was a small blue house situated a small footbridge.

A lot of tourists were waiting in front of it. Most had cameras ready to go. „I don‘t actually know why it‘s so popular but it is. If we go a little further to the left we will have a better view“ Maia explained to me. I loved that she was showing me all these places, I probably wouldn‘t have come here otherwise.

A few pictures later we decided to take the bus from the nearest station and go back to the hostel.

„I had fun today, thank you for showing me around“ I said to Maia as we were sitting in the crowded bus. „Your welcome. I had fun too!“ Gosh, that smile.

As we reached the hostel Maia let me know that she needs to go find Olivia. „We will surely run into each other again soon“ She added before giving me a good-bye hug.

When I fell into bed that night I had a lot to think about. Here I was, so far from home, in a room with a few other people whose name I didn‘t even know. I missed my family and my best friends but I was not properly homesick. Okay, it was also only a few days in.

Weirdly I was truly enjoying myself. The main reason for that has a name. It‘s Maia. The British girl I randomly met eating pizza late at night. I think back to the conversations we had. The one the first night in the kitchen. At the party, yesterday during the day.

I felt a strong connection to her. It‘s weird because quite frankly I didn‘t know a lot about her.

Yet it felt like we have known each other for a while and were actually quiete close friends.

Fate is fascinating. If I hadn‘t decided to eat pizza late that day, I would have probably spent all my days in my room, lonely. I wouldn‘t have been to the party yesterday, wouldn‘t have seen the dolphins today.

Isn‘t it weird that my boyfriend breaking up with me and loosing my job on the same day is the reason I am here? If either didn‘t happen I wouldn‘t have taken the risk to come here.

With all those thoughts I fell asleep pretty quickly, for quite a few hours.