In 2019, I lived in New Zealand with my former partner. We decided to stay for a few months in Nelson, a charming seaside town on the north of the South Island. We met wonderful friends through Couchsurfing profile, and they welcomed us with open arms. We moved twice in the same city in a short period, which, along with work, was quite stressful. As we had to move out of our last home very quickly, it was challenging to find another place in such a short time for the next 6 weeks. Luke, the first couchsurfer and by then a very good friend we met upon arriving in Nelson, instantly took us under his wings.
Luke is a wonderful soul. A Maori who lived in a two-story house with his two daughters. There was no question that we could stay with him for as long as we needed. He freed up his bedroom for us and arranged the veranda so we could have breakfast and coffee under the open sky every morning, and in the evening lie on the wooden floor and watch the stars. He took a mattress for himself and decided to sleep outside, on another part of the veranda that surrounded the house. How crazy! What a person! We spent the last 6 weeks with him and it was brilliant. Living with him was a real adventure. He worked as a security bouncer at a well-known nightclub, so the house was quite peaceful for half the week, and the rest was filled with his cheerful energy. I ended up working in that club as a bartender, for a little extra income and a lot of fun! We hosted other couchsurfers and travelers, so there was always dancing, music, and cooking together at the house. I really love couchsurfing for this reason – like-minded people, sharing adventures and instant motivation, experiencing culture through the lives of locals, and ultimately, new friendships. All of that with no materialistic needs behind. Opening our homes to strangers for the values that really matters.
We knew it would be impossible to make a financial exchange with Luke, but we tried until the last day. We bought groceries, cooked, kept the house tidy, and had a lot of fun. Hosting travelers in a foreign country is a wonderful experience. We gave nice gifts to his daughters and him. Packed and ready to hit the road, we sat down with him for breakfast to say goodbye. He absolutely refused to accept money. I felt uncomfortable because I felt I had received so many blessings and couldn’t reciprocate nearly enough.
Luke truly deserves an award for being the warmest, most inspiring and most humble being. How can one show such immense gratitude? After a long group hug, he told us something that has since been my guiding star. He said; “I don’t want your money, it means nothing to me. Just promise me that every time you come across a soul in life who needs help, you will do so with an open heart and remember me.” In this way, we go full circle, healing and doing good deeds. We raise awareness and share True Life Values. Thank you, Luke, you big, gentle, soul-opening friend with the biggest heart! My time in Nelson with kiwi friends was one of my greatest experiential learnings about human relationships and sincere friends.
If my story has awaken something in you, I invite you to apply Luke’s life advice and share the Magic further. From soul to soul. From Fairy to Fairy.
