"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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