So for those of you who read this, you know the stories I've told you about my first trip to Australia in 2007. Saying things like everyone you see is tall and fit and beautiful, that everyone is happy and go-lucky...That everyone eats healthy and that you hardly see any fat people or homeless people.. etc.
Well, now that I've actually been living here and been able to spend more than 3 weeks in the same place, reality has set in....
Now don't get me wrong! There are a BUTT LOAD of beautiful people here, and I've noticed a lot of them are in Manly (northern beaches suburb) and Melbourne... it's weird.
But Australia is a lot like the rest of the world and yet not at the same time. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and so on.. they're all regular cities.. with people and jobs, traffic and craziness. Fat people do exist here... so do homeless and crazy people on the streets. The streets get dirty and trashed.. people get drunk and stupid and can be mean, rude and inconsiderate. Things get loud and out of control. Accidents and tragedies do happen. You don't see kangaroos hopping everywhere, you don't play with koalas and you don't go throw the boomerang around after work.
The bright light that is Australia has dimmed slightly for me since coming back, but I have to tell you... regardless of the "reality" of the situation.. It's still like no place on Earth! It is breathtakingly beautiful.. all over.. Every day I wake up and look outside and think "I LIVE here!" and it's amazing. While you don't see kangaroos in the city.. go a bit North and you can see them almost every morning or late evening in the fields.. you can't play with koalas but go to a wildlife park and you can hold one! You don't go play with a boomerang.. at all.. but you can go to the beach every day after work. While I live in the biggest city in Australia, the burbs, even though they all run into each other like regular burbs, they still have a small town feel.. where the local grocer recognizes you and people are friendly and start conversations on the bus or standing in line and invite you to BBQ's on holiday's when you have no where to go. There definitely IS an "Aussie way of life" and I love it.
Even though this country doesn't have the same impact on most people.. they love to visit and see the sites but then are happy to go home.. it's different for me. I feel like a better person here. I'm less introverted, I'm more open and friendly.. I'm not as self conscious or worried about what people think here. I'm less stressed, more easy going, and just all around happier. One way to describe it is, when in the States whenever it came up in conversation, people would guess my age pretty much spot on.. 26, 27.. But here.. NO ONE has guessed my age yet.. they say I'm 23, 24.. I've had as you as 22!! To me.. this says that I don't look my age or act my age (in a good way) because I'm happier and feel younger and more alive. I've lost a little weight and have been eating healthier and being healthier here. I feel like I've finally found the place where I fit.
I don't think that Australia is my final destination... but I know that I'm going to try my hardest to stay here for as long as possible!
So now you know! and hopefully now you understand my love for this country and why I'm here. Hopefully by reading this I've inspired you to want to visit me! :D and hopefully I've planted a seed in your mind to find that place for yourself.. whether it's in your backyard with your children, on the beach in Florida, or in the mountains... find that place that makes you feel that way and brings out a happier and better person within yourself!
Cheers Mateys!
~The Quasay Australia Backpacker
