Mullumbimby. Gesundheit!

We had the most magnificent thunderstorms all throughout the night. I went down to the beach in the morning and the sand was completely saturated, waves pounding, and a cool breeze. Perfect temperature. A few photos from my morning walk!

After my stroll, leanne picked me up to take me to the Mullum music festival. Mullumbimby is a small town inland from Byron Bay. I thought Byron Bay was hippy dippy until I got to Mullum. The whole town was how I imagined a hippy commune. People were dancing in the streets, kissing strangers, banging drums and playing instruments down the road, just totally free spirited. It was really a beautiful town. The streets were lined with vendors and performers. I saw a beautiful white house with black trim that I think is my new dream home. There was a small parade down the main street early in the morning and it had a kind of New Orleans vibe with people trailing the parade with umbrellas, stilts, and instruments. Very fun!

At the festival, we watched some students and staff of Byron Bay HS perform. They all did wonderfully! There was a girl named Spirit with an amazing voice, but she was incredibly shy. After her performance she ran and hugged her father so tightly and I could just see him hug her back so fiercely it made me start tearing up because it reminded me of my dad and how much I missed him, and also that pure fear she must have felt must have been felt twice as much by the parents. To watch your kid be so vulnerable just put a wrench in my heart thinking of my own kids one day. It was a really beautiful moment I guess is what I'm trying to communicate.

After strolling around Mullum, Leanne took me home and I got ready to go to my volunteer training for schoolies. While I waited for training, I sat at the park in front of the beach. This is where everyone comes to relax and listen to music during the day. It was a beautiful night!

When training started we were introduced to Save-a-Mate, which is a facet of the Red Cross that basically takes the approach that people and young adults are going to make their own choices regarding substances whether or not it's illegal, so we should do our best to inform them so they can make safe decisions when trying drugs and alcohol. It talked about different types of substances (stimulant, depressant, and hallucinogenic) and signs to look for when treating someone. It also provided "safe" drug use tips (as safe as you can be with drugs) including not mixing or trying more than one drug at a time, not being alone, drinking plenty of water, having your cell phone charged, etc. They also talked about communicating to schoolies that they should call an ambulance if someone is in trouble even if they're doing something illegal, the police won't come. So this is all information we're supposed to pass onto the schoolies if they come into our booth. Apparently schoolies has become such a huge event in the Gold Coast that there were several deaths and sexual assaults, so now schoolies is a very monitored and regulated event. More police presence, more volunteers, more community involvement, etc. Should be a fun time!

This weekend was jam packed and I had such a wonderful time! I'm really enjoying my summer glow! Feeling happy and healthy!