"But, I don't want to go home..."

On the 11th of Aug. I reluctantly boarded a plane for my favorite and last city - Melbourne (voted the worlds most livable city by Conde Nast) Its a large, expanding city of shops, cafes, beaches, waterfront communities, marina, casinos, sprawling parks, trams, and bustling with commotion. It used to be that Australia was about 10 yrs behind from the US in pace and technology - that isn't that case any longer. Melbourne (not Sydney) is Australia's cultural, cuisine, and fashion capitol. My home for the weekend (aunt & uncle Pinkowski & cousin Gracie's place) would be the suburb of Endeavor Hills, apprx 30 min. SE from city.
I have heaps of family that originally emigrated from Poland to Oz in the mass immigration of the 1950's & 60's. My parents, along with my brother, first immigrated to Australia, stayed on for 2 yrs, before moving to Buffalo (i know, crazy) and then onto Detroit. This is why I have no other relatives in the States, as they are all either in Poland or Aussie land. I am always happy, therefore, to be traveling to Melbourne & Oz, as its my opportunity to connect with the very large, Michalski lineage clan and catch up on everyone's life, be fussed over (to an unimaginable degree:-, as only the polish can do) and practise my rusty polish.
The first weekend was my cousin, Adam's 50th b'day party, so the house, was full, crazy and packed to the brim with more food than mouths to eat. It was a terrific time to see a lot of my relies all at once. My cousin Krissy, made a surprise visit from Vancouver - and yes, he was very surprised. For the Pinkowski clan, it was a one of those magical times, where all the kids, their kids, were together - under one roof.
Many moons ago, I took a Sabbatical from Collleg/Uni and spent about 9 months in this fabulous city, - one of the most memorable and enjoyable times of my life. This time around, I got to catch up with a few friends I meet during that time.
After recoving from the weekend blitz, I headed to downtown Melbourne the first chance I got. This is probably the craziest city to drive in as you have cars, mingled with trams and people wandering about. When one needs to make a left hand turn (which I didn't dare try this time around), you actually have to get in the far left lane, staying left of all the traffic and then, when the lite is red, only then can you turn rite. (Hopefully you wont get sideswiped by a tram either) I headed over to fashionable Toorak/Chapel streets and just had a ball.
My time here was spent socializing, circumventing round-abouts, sipping tea (as this was winter here) and mulling around in the kitchen, just chatting away and enjoying one another's company. The entertaining element of all this was definitely the fussing factor. In the Polish culture, as I'm certain is true of many other cultures, outside of America, its an art of unimaginable portion to fuss over people and their needs. Its probably a lost art here in the States, where everyone is expected to be independent to a greater degree - we know where the kitchen is and our ability to assert ourselves is never a problem. In this culture, however, they need to ask you many times over if you need this or that and if you say 'no' then they need to ask again a few more times, just to be certain you heard and understood the question. Its really delightful, the extent to which some will go to make certain that every single one of your 'potential' needs are meet. And feeding you - making sure you are good and full is their language for 'I care for and love you'. Although I am not the ‘fuss over type’ - it was nice, though, to revel in it, if only for a time.
On the 21st of August, I said my final good-byes and boarded a plane for my country of origin – cheerless, though enriched beyond any measure. I was grateful for this extended break and to have experienced something so unique as traveling solo in the in the outback of Australia and having had so many delightful characters, to engage and keep me company. Of course I’m officially broke now - though I have say a ‘big’ thank you to my parents for providing some of the funds for this trip - without which, I wouldn’t have had the budget to go for 2, whole, fabulous months. To the generousity/kindness of so many friends and strangers in Australia (and LA), I also extend a huge thank you, as I may never be able to repay you in kind.
The author, Liz Gilbert writes "Travel is the greatest true love of my life. It's worth whatever sacrifice or cost". This is my sentiment likewise. The constant change in scenery, the opportunity to discover with the eyes, ears, taste buds - something new, unique and different from every-day common place – is the real joy. The memories alone will fill many boring, snowy, cold, afternoons here in Michigan. This current Australian experience, of journeying, leaves me fully invigorated and geared to well, ...travel some more :). Stay tuned to this page, as I continue my blogging during my Turkey/Greece trip which begins Sept. 1 thru 17th. (I know, I know, what your thinking, but hey, someone has to fill those plans as they are not going to fly empty, you know) Thank you for your interest in this blog. I hope it was entertaining and motivated you to get out and travel!!!!
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Cricky!

Initially, I was hesitant about travelling to the Queensland coast area, as I thought I would get bored being here. This area is similar to Florida in temperatures, small towns and has the scenery of N. Carolina. Brisbane, the main city, and its neighbourhoods, is the fastest growing area in Australia. Everyone relocates here for the weather and the slower pace of life. My cousin Adam, his wife Sheryl and their son Jesse live about 40 min. N of Brisbane, near the Sunshine Coast and here was to be my lovely home base for the next 2 weeks.
As I was saying, I was certain I would get bored residing in a place surrounded by lushes mountains, singing parrots, clean air, and views of the surrounding landscapes (pic above) - w/ beach access only a short 20 min. drive away. Would this uber urbanite be able to adjust to such a utopia? At my cousin's, I given a big, comfortable room, with a heavenly bed (mind you I'd been sleeping on what seemed like cardboard in comparison prior to this.) The room caught the morning sun, and had direct access to a lovely tweak deck & pool area. At times, the atmosphere felt like a resort in Fiji. (minus the men in skirts)
The two weeks were filled to the brim with activities, (window) shopping and dinner invites so the time passed without hesitation. I was reunited with former friends I hadn't seen or spoken to in many, many moons. One family, the Pratts (JoAnn, Peter, Dan & Nat) and I became fast friends as they lived only a few doors down. The 8 of us got together often to break bread & socialize. Sheryl & I spent many enjoyable moments amusing ourselves in boutique shops, cafe's and driving the lovely, windy roads of Queensland.The first Sunday there, was to be my first (and last) mtn climbing excursion. I was warned this would be hard, though I was confident these new lungs could handle it. What Adam failed to mention was the part where one needed to scale the side of the mtn - inserting feet/hands into crevices pulling oneselve up, type-of-climb. The kids basically ran up, as kids do, the adults took their time but made it as well,.... then there was me, pondering what to do, as I was afraid of heights (at this time). The angle of the climb meant if I leaned to far back whilst going up, I would literally roll down and off the mtn. Adam was a saint and both encouraged and literally helped me scale it. I was doing well, until hesitated and caught site of the splat factor. After that I was done,...spent - but too afraid to retreat. Somehow, w/Adam's aid, I was able to get back to level ground and wait for the rest of the crew. Because of the angle, the way down meant sliding on your rear and some pants, well, didn't make the climb in tact.
I had a unique opportunity one day, when I went out to buy some of the best yogurt this world produces at a local store (true). As I pulled up, I saw a few people roaming around, and about 4 black suits off to the side. As I got closer, I thought the one man looked familiar, so I says to one onlooker "hey, is that your PM". When he responded in the affirmative, I did what the other 4 people were doing, I lined up to shake the PM's hand. (John Howard). The strange aspect of this meeting, is that the PM, didn't seem very.., well,... important. I mean, he had this, regular- joe, type presence about him, which is why I didn't think he was anyone important. I mean even his bodyguards were positioned off to the side, as if they weren't too concerned about his safely. But then I thought about it and concluded that he, in fact, reflects the people. The Aussie's are a laid back, casual type people who are, as the PM, very approachable.Did I mention that I was neighbours with Mr & Mrs. Crikey - Steve Irwin zoo. His face was on billboards everywhere.
I was able to catch up with another set of old acquaintances, (Eve & Mark) which in turn, became friends by the time we parted. They live in the Gold Coast area, which is about 1hr south of Brisbane and is the playground of the Australians. This is the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami of Australia. It was a real pleasure to be invited to so many homes for dinner and over night and witness the unique family dynamic of each, whilst at the same time, feeling so welcomed and accepted. Again, the highlight will be the various people I was able to interact and connect with.In the end, the answer was a resounding 'no' - surprising to me, I didn't get board and because of the near perfect sunny weather, the local, the many interesting villages, views and people I meet, I didn't be bored or tired of this rural utopia.

Ayers Rock/Uluru

Sunburnt country..

Well the adventure continues. I finally landed in what is dubbed, Red Center - the place everyone goes to view the, big, red, rock called Ayers Rock (or its PC name, Uluru). I started off in the dinky, dusky, unappealing town of Alice Springs. When I arrived, I couldn't believe that I had booked into this city for 3-nites. Was I nuts! - what on earth was I supposed to do here for 3-nites/3-days. After the first evening, I walked from my hostel, a quaint, unusual set of buildings, about 10-min. walk to the center - which they call Todd's Mall on the Todd River. Of course, the wide bridge, which covers the wide river bed, doesn't hold any river in it, so its a bit of a conundrum.
Fortunately, the weather was warm, so it had one redeeming quality upon arrival. At the hostel, there was a small TV room, which I ended up for the evening. Again, b/c of the size of the hostel, it was more easier to met and chat with the local hostilities. The first evening, I was introduced to a few guys that just arrived and were solicitors for the WWF (no, not that WWF, but the World Wildlife Fund and Docs w/o Borders) Companies hire on these people to collect funds for their charities and this group of 6 (4 guys/2 gals) was settled into Alice for 2 weeks. We became fast friends and somehow, with the evenings, watching videos and chatting away in the kitchen, my time passed by quicker than I thought. I think it was just plain nice to connect with a few, select, individuals and get to know them more than just superficially. By the 3rd day there, I was sort of attached to them and it was, well, a bit hard to leave. Alas, I had to continue on my trek, so thanks (Jimmy, Alex, Mark & Paolo) for keeping me thoroughly entertained with your British/Ozzie humour.
On the 26th, my hired car and I drove to Kings Canyon (a smaller version of our Canyon). It was about a 500 km, trek through the outback of Oz. I started out, fairly late (12pm) and thought I would have plenty of time before sunset to arrive. The stop at the Camel farm and ride, delayed me further. I was told by scores of pp not to travel by nite, b/c of the kangaroos and the vastness of nothing in between. B/C of the lack of good signs and landmarks, (think Montana) at one pt, I overshot my exit by 100 km (which meant 200km return). Now you have to understand there is about 1 exit for every 100km, so the probability of this goof was not great. (Though singing along w/ the Ipod, could have contributed) So, I found myself, chasing the sun, (literally) and blazing a trail. When I caught sight of a kangaroo, waving to me on the side of the road, I quickly slowed down to a crawl and somehow, made it through the dark desert to my comfortable room.
The next day it was a speed sightseeing mission. I saw the Canyon, drove another 3 hrs to the Olgas and arrived in time to witness the famous sunset over Ayers Rock. Like the Grand Canyon, it’s huge and it’s definitely impressive. I can now add Ayers Rock, to my ‘been there, done that’ list. Next on the menu, Steve Irwin country & Brisbane, Queensland.