It's confirmed, we are back in the West. On our first full day here we drank soy lattes, bought the latest edition of Adbusters, and went to the theatre to see Bowling for Columbine. If you haven't already seen this film, you really must. It's an intelligent, cynically clever, and thought-provoking look at gun culture in the USA. It also has a whole segment devoted to how Canada's gun culture is similar but radically different to that of our southern neighbours.
Today consisted of watching an Aboriginal "Didgeridoo" performance at the Art Gallery of NSW, indulging in Indian curries and Chinese desserts at the mall's food court, a couple of monorail trips, and a lot of walking in this exquisitely beautiful and green city. We also saw an exhibitions on 20th Century Design and "Fruits" (a colourful youth subculture in Japan) at the Powerhouse Museum.
I am so relieved to finally be walking around again, and especially in air that is fresh and clean. In Asia, you really don't walk either because of the fact that there are just no sidewalks or because the pollution is so toxic. I can't overstate how lucky people are to live in countries that have such clean air to breathe, air that doesn't make your throat rough and phlegmy at the end of the day. If you're in one of those countries, go outside and take a deep breath and enjoy.
Australia actually reminds me a lot of Canada. I think it goes a little further than the Commonwealth, friendly people, green cities, and socialized governments that we share. I feel like it is most similar to Canada in that it holds most interest for the people living here. Just like Canada, I think the biggest cheerleaders of Australia are Australians. Perhaps you could say that of other countries too, but it seems like Canada and Australia don't have the international fame (or infamy) that the US or UK have.
Young travellers seem to come here for the sun, beach culture, and the beer... and I'm sure a huge bonus is that it's a very far away place but still a country where people speak English. So, it's going far away and not at the same time. I guess after being in Asia for so long, Australia is a lot like being home. Don't get me wrong, home is wonderful... but it's not really that new or interesting and aside from learning about things that are unique to Australia (like the Aboriginal culture) there doesn't seem to be much learning to be had here.
Having said that, we've decided to leave a little earlier than planned. We knew it would be hard to come here in the first place, especially at the end of our trip on this budget of ours. We're now paying over ten times the amount for a hotel room than what we paid in all of the other places we've been. It's not all about money though, another part of us is just telling us it's time to get home. Since deciding to go home a little early, we are now finding ourselves rejuvenated and enjoying every moment of our time here. We hope to continue in this vein until we board our flight home in a couple of weeks.
Brrrr! Now it's time to head out and look for a jacket because Sydney is so chilly... I thought Australian summers were supposed to be HOT!?
tothesea,
k~*