Today is a pretty strange day for me. I woke up knowing it was my last full day in Australia but it still hasn't truly hit me that this amazing year is coming to an end. It won't really be real until I'm on that airplane tomorrow afternoon. How can a full year have passed?
The past few weeks have been full of mixed emotions as I get ready to go back home. There have been long, pleasant days spent at the beach and there've been cool, rainy days spent contemplating my options in Canada over a cup of coffee. As it stands, I'm heading back to Saskatchewan for at least the next six months. And I'm OK with that. It's been years since I've spent more than a few weeks at a time in my home province and I miss the place. Spring is just around the corner and it's pure magic when the snow begins to melt on the Prairies.
It was cloudy when I got up today and I spent most of the morning packing and trying to get organized. (Note: trying to put all of your personal belongings into one large duffel bag after a year abroad is not a fun task.) Then suddenly the sun came out after lunch and I knew there was something I just had to do. I grabbed my towel and my Mp3 player and jumped on the bus to Bondi Beach.
Bondi was the first beach I visited in Australia and now it's also the last (for now). As the bus rolled through various neighbourhoods I was struck once again by Sydney's diversity. Sydney is beautiful beaches, charming buildings, winding leafy streets, a gorgeous harbour, and a relaxed (yet gigantic) seaside town. It's also gleaming ugly office towers, hustle bustle, and occasionally rather ordinary. Just when you think you understand Sydney it throws another curve ball at you. And that's what makes you love the place all the more.
The bus ended up taking me to a part of Bondi that I'd never been to before. Strolling down a sidestreet to the beach, I felt as though I was in some sleepy town, not in a city of 4.5 million people. So this is why people love living in Bondi so much. Granted, Bondi does not always reflect the reality of living in Australia. But it's certainly a big part of what lures people to the island continent's shores. One dip in the waters, and you're hooked.
Before I left the beach I took my final swim in Bondi's blue waters and soaked up a few more rays. There's just no way I'm going home without that killer tan.
See ya soon, my fellow Canucks.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The countdown
It's a big no-no in journalism circles to start any piece of writing with a cliche. But I've done it before and I'll do it again. Bloody rules be damned.
And so: all good things must come to an end. How's that for insight?
I'm referring, of course, to my time in the Land Down Under. In just 12 more days I'll be jumping on an airplane to Fiji. Three days after that I'll board another plane for Vancouver. Then 14 hours later I'll find myself back in the homeland: Vive le Canada.
I have very mixed feelings about leaving Australia and going back home. I have to admit I've fallen in love with Sydney. It's the most beautiful city I've ever visited, I think. I could see myself living here. Besides, I've been in Australia for almost a full year and there are still so many sights I didn't get to see.
On the other hand, I miss many things about Canada too. It'll be so great to see all the people I love back home again. Reuniting, catching up and trading tales should take at least a few weeks. And another thing, it'll be nice to be around people who talk "normal" all the time. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the way Australians speak. In fact, I've picked up dozens of great words over here. It just gets tiring being the "one with the accent" after awhile. Such is the life of the immigrant, I guess.
Speaking of, I feel this year has taught me a new appreciation for what an immigrant goes through when moving from one country to another. Immigrants deserve a lot of compassion and respect, especially those who don't speak the language of their new country.
As per usual, I'm almost out of time on this internet cafe computer. (God, will it be nice to use a computer at home for as long as I like again!)
I'll have a few more reflections on my trip in the coming days.
That's all for now.
Toodles.
And so: all good things must come to an end. How's that for insight?
I'm referring, of course, to my time in the Land Down Under. In just 12 more days I'll be jumping on an airplane to Fiji. Three days after that I'll board another plane for Vancouver. Then 14 hours later I'll find myself back in the homeland: Vive le Canada.
I have very mixed feelings about leaving Australia and going back home. I have to admit I've fallen in love with Sydney. It's the most beautiful city I've ever visited, I think. I could see myself living here. Besides, I've been in Australia for almost a full year and there are still so many sights I didn't get to see.
On the other hand, I miss many things about Canada too. It'll be so great to see all the people I love back home again. Reuniting, catching up and trading tales should take at least a few weeks. And another thing, it'll be nice to be around people who talk "normal" all the time. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the way Australians speak. In fact, I've picked up dozens of great words over here. It just gets tiring being the "one with the accent" after awhile. Such is the life of the immigrant, I guess.
Speaking of, I feel this year has taught me a new appreciation for what an immigrant goes through when moving from one country to another. Immigrants deserve a lot of compassion and respect, especially those who don't speak the language of their new country.
As per usual, I'm almost out of time on this internet cafe computer. (God, will it be nice to use a computer at home for as long as I like again!)
I'll have a few more reflections on my trip in the coming days.
That's all for now.
Toodles.
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