Up and Away

I have been lucky enough to spend over 7 months on one of the furthest lands from my home city and was able to share it with my incredible family and boyfriend. I had expectations when I left of what the mystical land of Oz would hold, and it both lived up to and fell short of these preconceived notions.

In my opinion, Australia is the step child of a marriage between England and the US. The fashion is quite forward and European based, but the disposition is similar to that of the South. Much of the older generation is still very conservative by nature, as seen in the States, but it is slowly evolving and learning to accept new ideas which need to be reflected in government. The younger generations here seem to thrive on American culture, fascinated by what they perceive through films and the internet.
I have learned the small things Americans see as standard and expected are not worldwide. Large portion sizes, airconditioning, few bugs indoors, ice makers in the freezer, drip coffee (in multiple flavors), using credit cards everywhere, table service at restaurants, unlimited drink refills, doggie bags, etc. are just a few. I have come to appreciate these little conveniences so much more, but have realized some "rights" are allowing the US to take the lead in product and waste consumption. Why do you need a 20oz coffee when a single shot of espresso diluted with maybe 8oz of hot water has the same caffeine content? Why do we expect a side of fries to come free with every main meal when we're all trying to watch our health? You savour a coke so much more if you have to pay for a new can every time you suck one dry at dinner, rather than getting an instant refill when it's half empty. Just small changes the American culture could adopt to ease health issues, waste, and learned feelings of entitlement.

I guess I should have realized that Australia wasn't this big red desert with kangaroos and emus running a muck, but I think that is an idyllic vision we all have thanks to media from our childhood. I was just yearning for something new and exciting when I first arrived and to find it so urban and consumer oriented was a disappointment. I admit, I should have taken the time to go see the Outback, but with limited funds and fear of breaking down in the middle of nowhere (literally you could be hundreds of miles from the nearest town), I stuck to the same old sprawling cityscapes.

I loved the people I met whilst traveling and many of them know they have an open couch any time they are in Atlanta but I can say that I am quite excited to move on with my adventure and experience the culture shock of chaotic Asian cities and historical temples. Joe and I will be in Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, then off to Paris in early June for a short gallivant around Europe. We miss home so much but the opportunity to explore the cities, cultures, and food of the world is worth a few more months of living out of a backpack!