Australia
Flying has lost it’s romance. Yep, as hard as it is to say, I’m over it. Whilst still a traveller at heart, the mechanics of the air journey have started to rust and this last long haul to Australia only compounded the issue. I think the main problems stem from cramp when you are trying to sleep, and airports – so much faff in such a short distance. Aussie customs are particularly harsh, I’m surprised you are allowed to bring in your hairbrush. It doesn’t help when your bags get lost though. And although as a Brit I should probably love queues, when you have been awake for 24 hrs plus I think it’s understandable to be a little peeved whilst trying to make your way through passport control.
Stepping out of the airport at last, (more like dashing for the door as soon as I see it!) I have nearly an hour to wait for the bus that will take me up to the Sunshine Coast. The heat hits, by now a familiar embrace, leaving me unsure as to how I best receive it. The sun is bright, and the air humid, and I’m here… at last!!
So what do I think of Australia so far…? Very chilled out – Maroochydore is a quiet suburb, I feel so safe here. It’s a super affluent area, where lots of Aussies come for their summer holidays. The schools are back now, so the season is quieting down. The food is the same but different… always the thing that catches me out is looking forward to something I enjoy at home (like Greek Yoghurt and honey) and finding that it actually tastes gross. It’s the middle of summer but also cyclone season, so really hot and humid with random monsoon style flash floods. Bizarre to think there is a drought an hour south of us!
Aussie’s are very open and friendly, especially compared to London culture where people do their best to ignore you completely. It’s a fair bet that someone will say hi to you when you’re walking down the street, and it’s the first place in the world where you will get a random smile returned, rather than a weird look. They are also crazily patriotic… that impression might have something to do with Australia day being on the first weekend we were here (make that Australia weekend!!). Maybe it’s just a culture clash, but it was so weird having the patriotic kick in church on the Sunday… can’t ever imagine that happening in England!!
Yet despite the affluence, the great weather, the opportunities and the lack of poverty, something is missing here. 30% of Australians suffer from depression, and the suicide rate here is the highest in the world amongst young men in particular. You wouldn’t know it from surface appearances, but I guess it’s a case in point that material stuff isn’t what the soul needs…
Stepping out of the airport at last, (more like dashing for the door as soon as I see it!) I have nearly an hour to wait for the bus that will take me up to the Sunshine Coast. The heat hits, by now a familiar embrace, leaving me unsure as to how I best receive it. The sun is bright, and the air humid, and I’m here… at last!!
So what do I think of Australia so far…? Very chilled out – Maroochydore is a quiet suburb, I feel so safe here. It’s a super affluent area, where lots of Aussies come for their summer holidays. The schools are back now, so the season is quieting down. The food is the same but different… always the thing that catches me out is looking forward to something I enjoy at home (like Greek Yoghurt and honey) and finding that it actually tastes gross. It’s the middle of summer but also cyclone season, so really hot and humid with random monsoon style flash floods. Bizarre to think there is a drought an hour south of us!
Aussie’s are very open and friendly, especially compared to London culture where people do their best to ignore you completely. It’s a fair bet that someone will say hi to you when you’re walking down the street, and it’s the first place in the world where you will get a random smile returned, rather than a weird look. They are also crazily patriotic… that impression might have something to do with Australia day being on the first weekend we were here (make that Australia weekend!!). Maybe it’s just a culture clash, but it was so weird having the patriotic kick in church on the Sunday… can’t ever imagine that happening in England!!
Yet despite the affluence, the great weather, the opportunities and the lack of poverty, something is missing here. 30% of Australians suffer from depression, and the suicide rate here is the highest in the world amongst young men in particular. You wouldn’t know it from surface appearances, but I guess it’s a case in point that material stuff isn’t what the soul needs…
posted by Susie at
6:38 PM
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