9/22/2015
I’ve made it to Australia!!! Finally. What long travel.
However, while the hours were very long, it was not arduous in the least. I
actually enjoyed myself through the whole process, but I am glad to have made
it here and to catch up on sleep.
After I signed off last in LA I ended up going to the
workout class in LA at a studio called Studio U. What an incredible group of
people! It was the first exercise class that I’ve been to where I felt like I
was entering into a community, rather than joining a group on individuals who
needed to squeeze in a work out so all showed up independently to quietly
follow the instructor and then depart without having to speak with anyone else.
There were 4 other women in my class at Studio U, and they welcomed me warmly
and treated each other like family. It was a wonderful feeling, and it reminded
me of my years of cheerleading with my all-star team at Cheer Station. Plus,
the workout was nice and a great way to prepare my body for a 15 hour flight.
The flight itself was uneventful. I rode my 2 buses back to
the airport, went through security, ate dinner and sat at the gate for about an
hour before boarding. Once on the plane, I learned that I had an ENTIRE row of
seats to myself (YIPEEEE!!!!!), and I fell asleep before dinner was even served.
Thus went the first 10 hours of the flight. I ended up sleeping another 2 hours
until breakfast was served. One movie and we landed. Pain. Less.
Madeline, my roommate who I am traveling to Australia with,
grew up in Newcastle. Because she traveled to Australia a number of days before
I did, she had already taken the train from Sydney to Newcastle to visit her
family. So, when I arrived at 6:10 in the morning, my Australia travels had
really just begun. I took the train from the airport to Central Station (for a
$17 train ticket (!!! SO EXPENSIVE)), then bought another ticket from Central
Station to Newcastle (only $8.80 for a ride that was about 8 times longer than
the ride from the airport to the station). I had just missed a train, so I
spent ½ an hour at the terminal drinking coffee and eating a chocolate
croissant. I swear, every time I travel my pastry intake just goes through the
roof. Dallas could really use a great bakery…
The train to Newcastle was also uneventful. I listened to
two episodes of “Smart People Should Build Things,” a production to highlight
the tribulations and successes of entrepreneurs, and enjoyed the countryside as
it passed by. Australia actually has a MASSIVE rainforest. I had no idea. It’s
beautiful. Newcastle is on the coast, so as I approached the town I started to
get a glimpse of some of the bay areas. Also BEAUTIFUL.
I arrived at my final destination at 10:30 a.m., after 37
hours of traveling. Madeline and her mother, Melissa, picked me up from the
station and we went on a quest for some last minute wedding items like handbags
and earrings. Oh yeah, did I mention why I was traveling to Australia yet? It’s
Madeline’s brother’s wedding!!! I feel very fortunate and welcomed to be able
to be a part of such an exciting event for their family.
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| Finally made it! |
Australian shopping centers really are incredibly similar to
those in the US. In fact, there isn’t much of a culture shock at all. The
accents are different, and the people drive on the other side of the road (that
took some getting used too…), but in general it’s much easier to acclimate to
than most of my more recent travels have been. I was speaking with Madeline
this morning, however, and she said that the culture shock will catch you in
the oddest of ways. I’ll be sure to share if I come across an example in the
next few days. One fun fact – everything here seems like it’s the opposite of
home. The Liberal Party in their government is actually known as the
conservative group, they drive on the other side of the road, bowling clubs are
outdoors on the grass, and “hotels” are actually bars. There are a couple of
cultural differences too. Everything closes here at 5 p.m. except for
restaurants and bars. Everything. And the longest work weeks clock in at about
60 hours, which is slightly more conservative than the consulting work week so
many of my peers from college have grown into. Oh, and people live with their
parents much longer than in the US, plus they pay for their own education
(there aren’t many scholarships or parents who pay for school). Finally, as in
most other countries from the US, the food is much fresher and the community is
generally healthier, whether it’s from eating nicer quality food or the
community emphasis on recreational sports for everyone. There are also
beautiful beaches to run along, and awesome trails through the “bush” to
explore. It’s pretty nice.
Last night Madeline and I went to her friend from high
school’s home for a dinner party. Phillipa was a gracious host, and it was so
fun hearing her and Annika’s stories about growing up. It was fun to learn
about what everyone from their friend group is up to today. They also got a
massive kick out of the fact that I was a cheerleader and in a sorority during
college. Neither of those activities really exist here, so it was hugely
entertaining for them to hear about my experiences – especially when I described
rush and Round Up at UT. Madeline has to continually remind me that “American
High School and American College are very American.”
We got home around 10:30, and I went straight to sleep (I
had been up since about 3 a.m. Australian time). Luckily, I slept through the
entire night and kicked jet lag right in the butt. I woke up this morning
around 8 a.m. bright and refreshed, and extremely grateful to have adjusted so
quickly. We cooked breakfast at home – toast with eggs, mushrooms and spinach (yum!),
and then Madeline drove me to ForeShore and showed me the Newcastle beaches.
They are just stunning. I mean, really… STUNNING. They’re long, wrap around the
natural coast line, and are framed by beautiful green natural vegetation, which
is very different from the grass shrubbery that I am so familiar with in
Florida and Texas. It’s raining today, so when we were halfway down the pier to
the lighthouse we had to turn back as the rain picked up. We sprinted for the
car, and ended up being extremely refreshed by the cool spring air and the cold
rain. It was quite the run. We’re now back at the mall doing some final
errands, and I’m enjoying having a moment to write and reflect. We’re going to
head back to Sydney this afternoon to stay with one of Madeline’s friends from
university, and then we start the wedding festivities for real tomorrow. I plan
on doing a lot of exploring, so I will keep you up to date on the adventures I
come across.
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| After the rain sprint |
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| The Newcastle coast on a rainy Wednesday |
‘Till then….
