Like a fine Belgium beer
Effervescent, good head, earthy, and a savoury finish that lingers. That’s Laurens, my new Belgium buddy. He’s cycling the Te Araroa trail - 3,000 kms from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
I met Laurens in a bike shop he worked at in Amsterdam 10 months ago. He recently chucked this job in when a promised career path evaporated. Rather than let life happen to him, he decided he would happen to life. Laurens booked tickets to NZ and is now pedaling the length of the country.
He’s been fascinated at the number of mullets he’s spotted in Northland, marvelled at the lushness of our spring pastures, become well acquainted with dairies, mince pies, and Mother Earth muesli bars, and has seen a lot of cows.
Laurens had a rest day with us, washing clothes, cleaning his bike, stocking up with food, playing with our hound, and educating us on all things Belgian.
While he was grateful for our hospitality, we were equally grateful for his company. Looking into the life of a European and seeing the world through his eyes was so interesting. It gave us contrast and perspective. Both things are vitally important to keeping a balanced view of life.
It also reinforced the value of spending on experience vs stuff. The ROII on experience is typically far higher (return on investment impact).
I rode with him for the first half of his next leg. We chatted the whole way. The 28-year age gap non-existent (to me at least!). This reminded me that age is a clumsy yardstick - measuring only our time on this planet, yet it’s used as a proxy for so many other things it cannot reliably represent.
As I cycled home, I reflected on what made Laurens such enjoyable company. There were a number of elements, but if I had to boil it down to one thing, it would be his curiosity.
His curiosity to see the world. To discover what it’s like to cycle the length of NZ. To meet strangers. To kayak on the Whanganui. To pick fruit in Central Otago. To see if our beer is anywhere as good as Belgium beer.
We were equally curious to learn about his life, his views, his experiences, and his aspirations. And we are richer for our encounter.
Curiosity - it’s the foundation of fun and interest.
Stay curious.
