Freo Fam Bam
My introduction to the group came with what you’d expect - the build up of NEWPORT WEDNESDAY. The can’t miss event at the hostel. $2 middies, free pizza, and dancing. The defining event each week. And you can’t have Newport Wednesday without the boyz - Levi, Alex, and Oli.
What can I say about Levi? The sweetest guy, always there for a hug when you’re feeling blue, full of smiles even after long days of construction work, and the best events manager (although really…how did Levi get a free, single room for the work he did?!). Alex, Alex, Alex. Nicknamed me Iowa on day 1, despite my having ZERO connection to the state. He worked insane hours, sometimes clocking 70 to 80 hours at Bathers Beach as a bartender. But he always made time for his morning workouts, no matter how late we were out the night before, and cleaning the kitchen…or paying other people to clean the kitchen…or bribing 5-6 people to power clean the kitchen all at once. From a volleyball game and beach day that started our friendship to sand boarding roadtrips, I can’t wait to visit Canada for the first time to see him. Then there’s Oli. Flamingo loving, cider chugging, cricket playing Oli. The biggest flirt around but with a quirky smile you can’t help to laugh and forgive. These three had a true bromance.
A shopping adventure and heart-to-heart on the city bus quickly led to eagerly waiting for Kyra to get off work to join the fun or being incredibly thankful for a shared Grill’d burger order being delivered to reception during my shift. Whether we were trying on sequin shorts for the holidays or biking in insane heat to various wineries, she was a crucial partner in crime. I can’t hear the song “Lose Control’ without having a mini dance party and imagining we’re spinning around the courtyard of the hostel or interrupting pedestrian traffic outside the kebab shop. This girl answers the panic texts when your emotions are spiraling out of control, twirls streamers around a bunk bed full of balloons for birthday celebrations, and buys ice-cream treats for epic goodbyes.
#couplegoals #isntitromatnic My girlfriend. The Fit Megan to my Iowa. Nikki. You need to have someone that is always down for adventure and the true key, follows through on commitments! We became experts at getting the perfect bean bag spot for movie nights, army crawling up a sandy hill due to our slippery sleeping bags, and finding the perfect sunsets. Our very first meandering walk from the Rainbow Containers to the marina and a random rope swing over the water set the tone for our friendship - we don’t need to know where we’re going to have a blast getting there, we’re typically awake and ready to go before others, and sometimes our food prep is inspired with veggie fried rice in the park but other days we consist on soda and chips/dip (okay, this last one wasn’t set on the first walk but I’m throwing it in anyways!)
Twan-ing around (v.) - the act of relaxing and doing nothing with a beer in your hand. We pushed our sushi babies around town in a shopping cart, I finally made him leave the hostel to enjoy sunsets, and he showed me up by knowing all 50 states and capitals of my country. Thanks for always cooking me butter chicken for lunch, feeding me popcorn with sambal, and creating our epic chip/dip combos — I’m just sorry my tuna ramen creation didn’t meet his needs. I’ve never met someone who added Lonely Island songs to a playlist before, but Twan isn’t an Everyday Normal Guy with his music selection. Do you like boats?
Jonas came in quick on a Newport Wednesday, happy with the last spare bed on a fully booked night and some sweet dance moves. He introduced us to wentelteefjes, aka “turning bitches,” somehow convincing everyone to provide all the ingredients so he would cook (okay okay, sometimes he provided the bread). Always eager to play a game, claiming the rest of us were being boring for just hanging out on the couches despite his constant presence there himself. Late night talks, a consistent hello at reception before his smoke break, and cuddles with his stuffed sloth - I’m waiting for this beer tour around Belgium.
“Should we get another drink?!” Michelle, dancing queen and drinking extraordinaire - way too eager to convince everyone for just one more drink or to take a random shot. A goofball and an absolute sweetheart. She would offer the clothes off her back if you needed them (although more than clothes, it was typically the use of her car). Skinned knees to midnight swims, this German will be the first to tell you not to go to Germany.
John & Britt, lovers of games, house-sitting with dogs, and wine & cheese. We spent way more time together AFTER they left the YHA - truly generous in opening their house and pool of the moment to provide a sense of home away from the hostel. Lucy, a Scottish bread fairy with a keen artistic style. Stefania, Anna, Luca, Rapha, Sofia, Daisy, Laura, Chloe, Arthur…the list goes on and on!
These Dutch, Belgian, German, Canadian, British, Norwegian, Italian, Argentinian, Colombian (and I’m sure I missed some nationalities), became my family for my first holidays away from home and the Freo Fam Bam will forever hold a place in my heart.
