A year in review

In 2012 I stepped away from the comfortable and stable ground of my life to travel to Australia, where I lived for ten months, as well as New Zealand and Bali. Here's what I learned about myself and life (in no particular order).

I am extremely fortunate.
I see the world differently and not always in a positive light.

I learned a lot, more than I realize. I know a little more of what I didn’t know but there's so much more to learn.

I can push myself further mentally (7 days a week and sometimes 12 hours a day) and physically (riding 20 minutes every day up a 45 degree hill often in 30+C heat and swimming laps in a 50 metre pool)

I am learning to meditate and reaping the benefits.

We truly live in a global world.
You can go far away but you never leave yourself behind.

People are generous and kind, especially those who have little.

I have deep seated prejudices I am addressing.

I can live on little, and with little, and enjoy it.

My family is extremely important to me.

I have trouble parting with some things.

I like to write (and need to keep up the habit of doing it every day).

Age is all in your head.

I don’t value money the way I used to and feel freer with less.

I like being on my own (but not always alone).

I could live in Australia. It is a magnificently beautiful, wild and diverse country.

I enjoy being around Australians. In general they are relaxed, friendly, patient, funny, irreverent, self-effacing, patriotic, adventuresome and clever people.

The phrase that sums up Australia for me is ‘no worries mate’.

I enjoy the odd beverage more (than when I left Canada) and will miss Australian wine and cider.

I loved surfing and if I lived in Australia I would buy a surf board.
The weather is usually a minor detail in life.

The blog, and the odyssey, will continue on this side of the world as I continue to step off the edge. 
 Happy 2013!

Merry Christmas from Canada

Merry Christmas from Keith and I and our family (staying warm inside) on a -25C Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas!

Here are some images of Christmas in South Australia sent to you with heartfelt wishes for a wonderful holiday season where ever you are.

The West End Brewery Display...

whale and all!

It's nice to be home despite the cold and snow. I never got used to seeing Christmas decorations in a hot, sunny, snowless climate.

Santa and his reindeer in the "Christmas Pageant"

Santa on Rundle Street

 

 

They don't call it a Santa Claus Parade. It is known as the Credit Union Christmas Pageant and is the largest of its kind in the world!

Rude Awakening!

I am settling back into life in this cold northern country.

I am not sure if it was the cold weather, I went from +31in Bali to -20 in Edmonton; returning to my house still in upheaval with men in suits in the sealed off basement removing asbestos; or my daughter, a teacher, in tears telling me about the horrific Newton Connecticut school shooting the morning following my landing in Canada; or all three that made me sick.  I came down with a bad flu.

My backyard

 

In February I posted a blog about Port Arthur, the 19^th century penitentiary in Tasmania Keith and I visited.  On the grounds of the prison was a memorial to the 35 tourists and employees killed by a gunman on April 28, 1996.  In response, conservative Australian Prime Minister John Howard oversaw the passage of sweeping gun control legislation. Semiautomatic and automatic rifles and shotguns were banned, and a mandatory government buyback program was enacted to collect weapons. The results were striking: homicides by firearm decreased 59% between 1995 and 2006, with no corresponding increase in non-firearm-related homicides. The drop in suicides by gun was even steeper: 65%. Studies found a close correlation between the sharp declines and the gun buybacks. Robberies involving a firearm also dropped significantly. 

I found Australians don’t trust America. This caused me to look more objectively at my long held views, specifially American trade agreements and policies.

I can deal with the weather, the basement is now clear of asbestos and awaiting renovation but the American right to bear arms culture is too close for comfort. The first item on the news today was that 5 schools around my province were closed due to threats on social media.

Now I am getting my energy back I will be advocating for tighter gun control but also better support for people with mental health issues, which I know first-hand is lacking.

And yes, it’s wonderful to be back with family and friends. Cold or not, there’s no place like home!  

Korea

My flight home had an 8 hour stop over in the Incheon Airport, close to Seoul, South Korea. Normally I would venture out into the city. But I had been warned that Seoul is huge, few people speak English and when we arrived it was snowing and I hadn't been in snow for 10 months and it scared me! I was tired and Korean Airlines treats its customers well with a great economy class lounge with showers, wifi, recliners for snoozing and decent food and drink.

It is ranked the best airport in Asia and I am not surprised. Like the city the airport is massive and they bring Korea to you. They had a cultural centre with arts and crafts, displays and performances of traditional dancing in costume. 

Om Swasti Astu

... is the traditional greeting in Bali. 
I am having a thoroughly relaxing time in this beautiful, peaceful and spritual place. My classmate Pande picked me up at the airport and took me around to some of the temples, beaches and restaurants as well as arranging my presentation at the university. 

Pande looking over my 'frog' coconut drink

Pura Pusa temple

My hotel - Artini 2

This morning I had breakfast with some fellow travellers and simultaneously we called our hotel an oasis - a lush, calm, quiet enclave hidden away from the tourist bustle.   Today I took a tour with two others, a small group who were able to convince our driver to only go to the spots we wanted to see. In the process I made new friends. Here are some of the things I have experienced.

The local way of life

Samples from the local coffee plantation

Batur Mountain. The Volcano last erupted in 2004

Rice fields

Inhabitants of the Monkey Forest

My Last Day in Adelaide

was full on as they say.  It was hot and sunny so a beach walk and swim was in order.

Oh the water was warm and the waves were high and I didn't want to get out. But...

we had tickets to Ovo, the Cirque de Soleil show about insects. Apropos as the real insects are appearing in Adelaide: huge Huntsmen spiders; cockroaches; centipedes; and flies that buzz around your face. Though not quite as big as this one!

Here's Deb standing outside the Big Top. Note the Australian and Canadian flags.