Cultural Curiosity

Day two of our 35 day adventure began at the zoo. It was a difficult start as I realized the importance of bank communication prior to my departure. I HAD DONE NONE. My card was declined and I spend the rest of the day worrying that my trip would have to be kept to the amount of cash in my purse.

The zoo only reinforced my need to have my tubes tied as soon as I return home. This place is beautiful, magical, and relaxing until it comes to any outing at a point of interest. There are school kids EVERYWHERE. They are loud, rude, and wear stupid brightly colored uniforms. I HATE them! I will never have them! I spend a majority of the day zoning them out and yelling "excuse you" when they would bump into us.

On a more pleasant note the zoo was beautiful! They've put a lot of time into the landscaping, layout, and care of this facility. The animals were amazing and other then the kids it wasn't much different than an American zoo.

After the zoo we went to Central Market. As we attempted to find the correct bus we accidentally walked all the way to the market. This open air market was full of fresh fruit and vegetables. We challenged each other to find one fruit we'd never tried before. We only ended up with one called a golden kiwi. It tasted like a pear and kiwi had a random one night stand from which the golden kiwi was born.

As we left the market we ended up in China/Japanese/Thai/Asian looking people town. By this time we were starving and looking for ANYTHING to eat. Oh there was plenty to eat alright, none of it looked edible.

On our 3rd day of our 35 day adventure we FINALLY slept in. We've been having a horrible time adjusting to the time change. We woke around noon and had Roger drop us at the South Australian Museum. They have the largest collection of Aboriginal artifacts in the world. Three floors of boomerangs, baskets, and weapons. They must have had a lot of time on their hands! It was breath taking. There were all sorts of exhibits from animals to marine life, rocks to.... well more rocks! It took us four hours to navigate this gigantic museum.

At last we took the bus home. The bus driver was very friendly and didn't charge us anything. I think he felt bad for our dumb asses. Of course once we got off the right bus stop we turned the wrong way to walk home. Eventually we found a pay phone to call Roger. He came and showed us the way! I can't imagine doing this without them. We would be so lost!

Describing Down Under!

I generally have horrible traveling luck. I'm not being dramatic. Anything that could possibly go wrong generally does. Doesn't matter if I fly or drive. This trip however was different. Only one plane delay due to 50 mph winds (which is essentially nothing to this Wyoming girl). And... ONE SCREAMING BABY. I called my mother when I landed in LAX and told her to set up my tube tying surgery for the day I get back!

Traveling for thirty something hours straight really wears on you. I felt postal as we waited for our last plane to deboard. Finally we had arrived. Chris and Roger picked us up from the airport and took us to their beautiful home.

We showered which was probably the most amazing shower of my life even though it was only allowed to be three minutes. They are on very strict water restrictions here.

We went down to the jetty (a pier or worf in America). There were men fishing off of it so we stood and watched a while. The man we watched the longest would catch a fish, tell us it was to small, then hurl it back in the water so hard it knocked one unconscious. Poor little puffer fish. It was perfect. The ocean was beautiful and the sand a bright white.

We went to pick up my nana (great grandmother) she is 85. I picked fresh lemons from her garden. We finally got back to Chris and Roger's. They told us that every night at 5 o'clock we will have happy hour and watch Antique Road Show. AAHHHH this trip is going to be rough! Chris made us the most amazing dinner of garlic shrimp and rice, tempura fried vegetables, and salad. Dinner was amazing and so was the company.

I've finally reached the heaven I've always dreamt of. This place is magic and the energy amazing. I can't wait to see the adventures that await this red head and her little brunette pal!

Surreal Situations

I've awoke every morning for the last week with a knot is my stomach and a pounding heart. Initially I believed it to be the vodka Red Bull consumed the nights before in celebration of finishing yet another degree. However, I've realized this not to be the cause of discomfort.

I've realized it's anxiety. You see my mother's family is all from Australia. It's tradition in the native culture there to do what is called a walkabout. This is essentially a spiritual journey into the unknown for a long period of time. My grandfather took his when he was extremely young and never returned to what I would call a normal life until he married my grandmother. My mother took hers when she was 18 and said she "came back a whole new women." Well my walkabout is approaching and I too will experience the spiritual journey that has changed so many in my family.

So why the anxiety I ask myself. I'm incredibly excited for this adventure. But I haven't been able to determine the source of said anxiety until this morning. I woke this morning with the same feelings that I've awaken with all week. As I tossed and turned I finally was set as ease when my eyes landed upon the calming entity lying next to me. The anxiety was not stemming from my bad planning, unpacked suitcases, or lack of Australian knowledge. It was my heart aching for the one I love. My world, my everything, my muse!

The hearts a work of art difficult to understand. I spend way too much time attempting to understand exactly what it's telling my head. My eyes see what's happening, my brain interprets the message, and delivers to my heart which should decipher my feelings in relation to the image. Well I think the messenger has a flat tire or got way to hammered last night to be working today! My heart is broken. Although my walkabout is only 5 weeks long my heart already aches for the man I know I'll miss most. I finally understand the saying "you complete me." He does complete me. He's the glasses that fix my blurred vision, the caffeine that sharpens my brain, and the sober messenger delivering ease to my pounding heart.

When it comes to my anxiety I simply need to retreat to the serenity that continues to inspire me everyday of my life. My Muse!