The opening Aussie weeks...

SO..

I have now been in Australia about 2 weeks.. a little over.
It's been an up and down.
I think the first week or so, as a friend put it, were my "break-in weeks". The time it takes to truly settle into your vacation and let everything go. To truly be present. I do believe there is some transition time needed indeed.
The first week and a half was a little depressing. If you look at specific times and activities, it was a good time! Cole & I's first week in Melbourne composed of visiting St. Kilda's beach often, walking random streets and stumbling upon random beautiful houses. Finding delicious little cake shops, and happening upon the most Peter Pan-like playground possibly ever made. Individually -- good times! When it was too cold to go to the beach, we made restaurant rendezvous.. one night making a 5 hour total journey from establishment to establishment, purchasing one thing from each, and then leisurely walking our way between. From a bread and dip variety plate, to amazing pasta, to an Irish pub, to a Greek dessert sampler. A most pleasant and memorable night :-)

It is amazing what company does. Our first host was a less-than-desirable spirit. Cynical, and a cleverly disguised gossip. My spirit did not settle well with him. Cole did well and was gracious longer than I.. for she is a simple spirit that looks on the even brighter side of things than I am even naturally inclined. I am just not quite grown-up enough yet to put up with people I don't like..
When we got out into the actual city of Melbourne, fun times were had. But when our days became a choice between a cold and windy outdoors (as their weather is fickle), and a cold and tense, depressive indoors.. it was a good time to leave.

Next we moved on to Adelaide. The train journey was about 11 hours.. and I loved every minute of it :-) I adore trains and was excited about moving on and being allowed the space to think.

Here we stayed with an ever-so-pleasant fellow named Chris. A laid-back spirit that gladly walked us about the city and down to the river our first night in, thus instantly gaining my approval. I think that night was my single most favorite experience of Adelaide, exactly what I needed. The quiet city streets, calm evening breeze, black sky speckled with stars, the fountains and black swans along the river telling you to just be. I am a sucker for water and I was immediately put at ease and began to love life and it's beauties again.
Our two days in his residence proved to be thoroughly relaxing and free. I liked this fellow immensely, super chill. The most loveable guy-type where if you make them a few meals, they are your best friend. I like that :-) I also became enveloped in the book I had randomly picked up there.. in olden day prince & the pauper sort of a tale, but much more evil and absorbing.. sadly, the main character had to die in the end instead of ever being able to be with his one true love, I was quite frustrated!

We then took our two day train journey to Perth, on the furthermost west side of Australia. The trip was wonderful. Having 2 days to do nothing but be left to your own thoughts is one of my favorite things. Its the reason I love the 'getting there'. When you have no where to be, but to listen to your headphones and ponder the things that you want to sort out.
Though we had accidently left our extra groceries at our host's house, we were content enough with our bread, cheese, and juice for the journey.
There is no way to properly relate the nights one spends on a train unless you've done so. At least I've not the skill to relate it.. All I can say is that it was a perfectly sastisfying time in which I was able to make a lot of opening progress on the things that this trip was meant to allow me to solve and put in their place. And I was finally encouraged in these areas of struggle.

We've spent several wonderful days in Perth now, but I shall catch up on them later, as I am too tired and must be heading off to my cozy sleeping bag....

First week in Minneapolis, tomorrow - 24 hour journey to Australia!

Welp, I'm finally getting ready to leave the US. Not that I don't like it here, I do. It's nothing personal to the place :-) I am just so excited to change my life rhythm for a while.. This has been a long time in coming and I'm finally beginning to partake in the pay-off, woohoo!

My stuff is fairly strewn about the floor, I'm waiting for all my clothes to dry from the weekend before I can skillfully cram it all into my backpack, muahaha. My first week out has been quite a nice one. Been in Minneapolis for the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, feel free to youtube it, all my videos from the competitions should be up soon. It was a good time :-) I really try not to compare years as best I can, that only leads to disappointment and debate - two things which I dislike immensely. But yes, I had a good time, a very nice balance of great dances, hanging out with good friends, making a couple new ones, chilling, watching, eating.
Highlight of the weekend basically being Loose Marbles playing, it makes me so happy inside, such a good band! Favorite times within that being, of course, every song they played, betting on which band member was going to get the cup laced with laxative rather than whiskey, and winning! Yep, I'd bet on my favorite member and won a free cd... then apologized to him for betting on him ;-) Only later to be subtly hit on by him, simple pleasures.
Other highlight of the weekend would be getting asked by Mark to do the endurance contest, more like being dragged to the floor without being told what was going on (I'd forgotten about the existence of the contest altogether). Floor wide competition as the music gets faster and faster, as they also gradually tap out couples who are struggling (or dying). We made it all the way till there were only 4 couples left standing! Then were thankfully tapped out as I was about to lose my second lung. But we're coming back stronger next year!
Yes, yes, good times all around. Sent a couple things home with a girl friend, but otherwise think my packing job will do just fine in what all I've brought, we'll see with more time I suppose ;-)

Went to the Mall of America today with Cole and Anna. Though I've been there several times growing up, never as an adult(ish) with my own money. And since it was their first time, it was a great outing, especially watching them at Lego Land :-D

I must get some other things done before I head to bed so I'll be going now.

I opened a flickr account so all of my photos will be getting posted, to those who are interested. Feel free to pass it on to those who you feel would like it as well, generally no stalkers.

Take sweet care!


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