Ben From Woy Woy

The thing about travel is being in the moment, meeting people!

Did you check out Substack? I gave you my card; you asked if you could take my picture…are you here yet? I’d love to see your wildlife/travel photos, Ben…to know more about your work!

That day we took the Central Coast ferry to Woy Woy for lunch was a beautiful sunny day in NSW. My brother and sister-in-law walked one way and I another as we waited for the return ferry.

I saw this guy standing on the railing of the dock, his camera focused on the Fish Food restaurant’s outdoor seating area. I didn’t want to scare birds or fish away...it was all so peaceful and quiet… so I walked around from the other side. By then he’d moved toward the middle, sitting on the boards, leaning with his camera, focused on the water. I said “Hi, can I walk around you, not disturb you?”

How kind and friendly you were! When I asked if you were a travel writer/ photographer, you said yes, for local papers and surrounding towns, hoping to find your way to other publications someday. I told you my story… older traveler, writing on Substack, visiting family for third time. You were interested to learn about Substack…that it wasn’t just a writing platform, but photography, poetry, art… all the creatives I had for friends. I hope you’re displaying your work here friend! How can I reach you… who in NSW knows Ben the photographer?

We spent maybe fifteen minutes chatting; it stayed with me so vividly I sat down on the first bench I came too, writing it all in phone Notes. It’s all kinda vague now as I search through them. He’s from/has lived in Woy Woy, his parents live/visit Sydney Rocks area often, the pelicans across the way have a daily schedule means he’s been here often; he knows the various names of different birds and fish…like every photo he shoots will have correct caption…how do you remember all that, Ben?

I watched you leave the dock and Brisbane Waters area, walking across the road toward the city shops …last thing I wrote was ‘wish I knew his last name, hope to connect again.’

I’m still working on drafts about my Australia trip, wondering how to work this in. Just now I realized it deserved a stand-alone piece… chance meetings with strangers that touch us in so many ways. A young man following his passion, taking time to see and hear a wandering traveler who stopped to talk. Much luck and love, Ben from Woy Woy.

Be well, be happy, be kind! Joan 😊