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....