The lights go out and people scream. Bodies shuffle and bump together in the darkness, waiting for what will happen next. Lights suddenly blaze and the screams get louder. Shadowy figures walk out on to the lighted platform in front of us. No, I'm not in some sort of cult torture dungeon, I'm at a Presets concert in Freemont, an artsy suburb of Perth. Music starts and everyone jumps up and down, waving their hands in the air. Almost immediately I smell the pungent odor of boy-armpit. As an aside to my story, I think that nightclubs should add 'deodorant applying' to the list of things you have to do when entering. ID, check. Stamp, check. Deodorant...nope? *spray spray spray* Check. Anyway, I move away from the smelly area, over to where my friends are dancing. I close my eyes and let my arms go limp, my body relaxed. I don't so much hear the music as feel it, and my body starts to move accordingly. I'm 99.9% sure of two things while this is happening: 1) I look totally insane, or possibly that I'm having a stroke 2) I don't care. My apologies to anyone I slap/elbow/step on/bump into. It's done out of love, I assure you.
So that was last night. A few hours (not nearly long enough) later, we walk out of the club sweaty smiling messes. I feel exhilarated. Lately I've been having strange, intoxicated moments on the dance floor where I feel like I'm experiencing time as a fluid, that I am feeling emotions and sensations from past, present and future. I am totally aware that I sound like an acid-tripping free-love child of the universe type right now, and maybe that's where I'm heading (minus the acid, that's a drug I'm happy to leave alone). The point is, I feel very connected to myself, who I am as a person and who I am within the universe, with all of it's mysteries and delights, and it's a truly wonderful thing.
Ok, enough with the semi-spiritual ramblings (just out of curiosity, does anyone have the faintest idea what I'm trying to say in the previous paragraph or am I just driveling on?). Perth is proving to be a very welcoming second home. It's ridiculously spread out, I have no idea how long it would take to get from one end to the other but I will take a guess at an hour and a half, maybe two. But the coast is beautiful and the sunsets are breathtaking.
Aside from the landscape, the people I've met are simply amazing. After my blog post last week, a lovely crazy girl named Joanna just up and gave me her old car (which I will be picking up today! I did a practice-drive to the shops yesterday and it went pretty well. I'm no longer convinced I will die behind the wheel.) Two weeks ago I knew six people here, now I know at least triple that. And I don't mean 'know' as in I met them once and have trouble remembering names. Know as in I actually really enjoy them, greatly appreciate their kindness, hospitality and openness to this limb-flailing Canadian, and can't wait to have more adventures together. As I said, amazing.
I do still think of home, and while I can't imagine leaving Australia right now, I see photos of snowy mountains or friends being silly together and a tiny part of me wishes I was there. But there is time for all that. For now I'm going to take my book, my sandwich, my towel and have a solo picnic under a nice leafy tree outside. Life is very good.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Aussie Realness
Well it's one month and one day since I left Calgary, sniffling along with my Dad as we drove east, with the city lights fading behind us. Not going to lie - it seems like much longer. I woke up today with the sun streaming in at 6AM, the temperature outside already over 20 degrees Celsius. I can barely remember the freezing wind stinging my face as I waited for the bus in the morning darkness, mountains looming far off in the distance.
I miss home and I don't. I miss my friends, knowing my way around, and feeling like I have a purpose (though going to work had become a rather pathetic purpose). But I love the sun. I love the way people talk here, even when I have no idea what they're saying. I love being able to wake up and do whatever I want. Whatever I want seems to be a lot of nothing, and I feel lazy and useless, but my friends who have travelled before tell me that's ok.
It's hard to pick things to write about. Everything seems at the same time amazing and mundane. I found a new favourite ice cream treat called a Golden Gaytime, the name is hilarious to me and the treat is delicious! People are obsessed with meat pies and chip dip here. They seem to allow breasts to be shown on TV. There are bugs everywhere but not in a gross way. Last night I witnessed a small army of tiny ants transporting the carcass of a fly along my windowsill. I watched for a while but then decided to kill them, which I felt a bit bad about afterwards. I think I need to find a job soon, 1) because I am running out of money 2) because I need more human interaction.
Last time I wrote I was in Sydney, trying to acclimate myself after the fiasco of New Years. Well it was amazing, aside from my sandmite suffering (I still have a few bumps on my legs/feet. I am a leper) and that one day it was 45 degrees outside. Denton was a wonderful host, and I think we were both very pleased that we still get along very well. Bonding over dancing and drinking and certain other substances probably helped, and I am definitely wishing Sydney were closer to Perth. I'm looking forward to when I can go back.
Brisbane was next, to see my friend Bondy. I was only there for four days but it was a nice visit. Brisbane is a very quiet city compared to Sydney. We went to an amusement park one day and I ended up getting my picture taken with a koala, which I had at first thought was stupid but then realised was very cool and I'm happy I did it. I'm cautious of looking like a lame tourist, but since that is exactly what I am, I should probably just embrace it.
And now here I am in P-town. Meeting Jo and Kelsie at the airport was wonderful, a flurry of hugs and girlish cries of 'eeeeek!' and 'oh my god!' An hour later we were camped out at Jo's house, in a suburb with some ridiculous-sounding name, having a snack (meat pies) and chatting like we had never been apart. That night she had a bunch of girls over for wine and snacks and, well, girl time. It was refreshing, especially after my three week long exposure to all things male. Last night we went to Jo's parent's house for a BBQ and they were absolutely kind and welcoming, her nephews running around being adorable and dogs dashing around underfoot. I realised how long it's been since I lived even remotely close to 'family', and I think it's something I've been missing.
I also haven't lived this far out of the downtown area of a city since...well probably since I lived on the farm. It's weird, especially since I don't have a car. Even if I did have a car I would most likely get into an accident immediately after pulling out of the driveway, as everything is still backwards to me here. I've only kind of gotten the hang of crossing the street without almost getting run down. Well, car-less and directionally challenged though I may be, I'm going to venture out today and find a mall so I can pick up some necessities (mostly things I need for my Big Day Out music festival costume and some kind of Australia Day paraphernalia). Perth not be the most easily accessible place to be, but I think I will enjoy it immensely. Either way I need to figure out my way around since I've barely left the house or put on clothes since Saturday and my growing interest in ants is troubling. Wish me luck.
I miss home and I don't. I miss my friends, knowing my way around, and feeling like I have a purpose (though going to work had become a rather pathetic purpose). But I love the sun. I love the way people talk here, even when I have no idea what they're saying. I love being able to wake up and do whatever I want. Whatever I want seems to be a lot of nothing, and I feel lazy and useless, but my friends who have travelled before tell me that's ok.
It's hard to pick things to write about. Everything seems at the same time amazing and mundane. I found a new favourite ice cream treat called a Golden Gaytime, the name is hilarious to me and the treat is delicious! People are obsessed with meat pies and chip dip here. They seem to allow breasts to be shown on TV. There are bugs everywhere but not in a gross way. Last night I witnessed a small army of tiny ants transporting the carcass of a fly along my windowsill. I watched for a while but then decided to kill them, which I felt a bit bad about afterwards. I think I need to find a job soon, 1) because I am running out of money 2) because I need more human interaction.
Last time I wrote I was in Sydney, trying to acclimate myself after the fiasco of New Years. Well it was amazing, aside from my sandmite suffering (I still have a few bumps on my legs/feet. I am a leper) and that one day it was 45 degrees outside. Denton was a wonderful host, and I think we were both very pleased that we still get along very well. Bonding over dancing and drinking and certain other substances probably helped, and I am definitely wishing Sydney were closer to Perth. I'm looking forward to when I can go back.
Brisbane was next, to see my friend Bondy. I was only there for four days but it was a nice visit. Brisbane is a very quiet city compared to Sydney. We went to an amusement park one day and I ended up getting my picture taken with a koala, which I had at first thought was stupid but then realised was very cool and I'm happy I did it. I'm cautious of looking like a lame tourist, but since that is exactly what I am, I should probably just embrace it.
And now here I am in P-town. Meeting Jo and Kelsie at the airport was wonderful, a flurry of hugs and girlish cries of 'eeeeek!' and 'oh my god!' An hour later we were camped out at Jo's house, in a suburb with some ridiculous-sounding name, having a snack (meat pies) and chatting like we had never been apart. That night she had a bunch of girls over for wine and snacks and, well, girl time. It was refreshing, especially after my three week long exposure to all things male. Last night we went to Jo's parent's house for a BBQ and they were absolutely kind and welcoming, her nephews running around being adorable and dogs dashing around underfoot. I realised how long it's been since I lived even remotely close to 'family', and I think it's something I've been missing.
I also haven't lived this far out of the downtown area of a city since...well probably since I lived on the farm. It's weird, especially since I don't have a car. Even if I did have a car I would most likely get into an accident immediately after pulling out of the driveway, as everything is still backwards to me here. I've only kind of gotten the hang of crossing the street without almost getting run down. Well, car-less and directionally challenged though I may be, I'm going to venture out today and find a mall so I can pick up some necessities (mostly things I need for my Big Day Out music festival costume and some kind of Australia Day paraphernalia). Perth not be the most easily accessible place to be, but I think I will enjoy it immensely. Either way I need to figure out my way around since I've barely left the house or put on clothes since Saturday and my growing interest in ants is troubling. Wish me luck.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Fish Out Of Water. In Water.
Finally back to blogging! I feel a week (more maybe? My concept of time is very fuzzy) is a long enough time to pull myself together somewhat and make coherent sentences. Maybe...well I will try to give you a brief idea of what has happened thus far.
New Years Eve: white party on an island. White as in everyone wore white, not everyone was a racist. Wasn't sure what the fashion scene on the Gold Coast was, so showed up essentially dressed as a boy in shorts, loose t-shirt, boat shoes. Turns out girls still make an effort, even though it's hot and they live by the beach. Oh well, I saw my first kangaroo and drank all the cheap vodka I could and danced like a prancing reindeer and only cried once. Had a typical Canadian moment and threw up on the beach, heat exhaustion + jet lag + being a wussy. I recovered, thanks in part to Alex's watchful father-eque eye.
New Years Day: beach, watched the boys surf for the first time and am definitely into it. Much more interesting than watching people snowboard. Swam a bit, which helped with my hangover (amazing!). Went to an afterparty and danced like a crazy kangaroo on speed. They have this amazing pre-workout drink powder called thermojet, which is kind of like ecstasy, minus thinking that you are in love with everyone and then wanting to kill yourself the next day. Was still suffering a bit of jet lag though, and wound up laying on the ground away from the rest of the group waiting for a cab, looking up at the stars and singing to myself because I was cranky and missing home.
Jan. 2 & 3: suffocated with boys. Observed many things such as picking noses, commenting on/critiquing every girl in sight (the feminist in me was slightly irritated), general disregard for shoes, cutlery, shirts, vegetables. I love hanging out with Alex, but being treated like one of the guys is something I haven't been exposed to in a long time. Still had fun, but was happy to see Denton in all his homosexual, golden-tanned glory.
Jan. 3 - Present: was fed up with my haircut and had it basically all chopped off. Feeling a bit like a lesbian, but mostly feeling very light and edgy. Have been suffering from foot leprosy since NYE and I think I will finally cave and buy some ointment of some kind at the chemist today (you win this time, sand mites). Been staying with Denton and meeting his friends and going to nude beaches and it's been absolutely amazing! Feeling much more settled and calm, not so much like a fish out of water. Or, more appropriately, a bear out of the forest. Hah ha haahhhh. Sorry.
It's strange to be away from my routine, and everyone I was used to talking to on a daily basis. But it's incredibly freeing to know that I can pick up and do whatever I want whenever I want. On a whim I decided to go to Brisbane to visit my good friend Bondy after I leave Sydney, where he has assured me we will misbehave like beautiful young hipsters, possibly get married, and generally have massive amounts of fun.
I can already hear myself using the words and phrasing of the people here - it's just so catchy. Time seems to move slowly and there is a feeling in the air, even in the city, that people are just relaxed. I think I will head out for a run, and will try not to trip over the tree branches that sometimes pop up out of the sidewalk. Have already suffered massive leg bruising from unknown forces, as well as tearing up my hand while climbing a tree. But salt water is great for healing and I am a resilient fawn. I promise my writing will become more cohesive...there's just so much to do, to think about, to see. It's hard to nail these experiences down with mere letters and words.
New Years Eve: white party on an island. White as in everyone wore white, not everyone was a racist. Wasn't sure what the fashion scene on the Gold Coast was, so showed up essentially dressed as a boy in shorts, loose t-shirt, boat shoes. Turns out girls still make an effort, even though it's hot and they live by the beach. Oh well, I saw my first kangaroo and drank all the cheap vodka I could and danced like a prancing reindeer and only cried once. Had a typical Canadian moment and threw up on the beach, heat exhaustion + jet lag + being a wussy. I recovered, thanks in part to Alex's watchful father-eque eye.
New Years Day: beach, watched the boys surf for the first time and am definitely into it. Much more interesting than watching people snowboard. Swam a bit, which helped with my hangover (amazing!). Went to an afterparty and danced like a crazy kangaroo on speed. They have this amazing pre-workout drink powder called thermojet, which is kind of like ecstasy, minus thinking that you are in love with everyone and then wanting to kill yourself the next day. Was still suffering a bit of jet lag though, and wound up laying on the ground away from the rest of the group waiting for a cab, looking up at the stars and singing to myself because I was cranky and missing home.
Jan. 2 & 3: suffocated with boys. Observed many things such as picking noses, commenting on/critiquing every girl in sight (the feminist in me was slightly irritated), general disregard for shoes, cutlery, shirts, vegetables. I love hanging out with Alex, but being treated like one of the guys is something I haven't been exposed to in a long time. Still had fun, but was happy to see Denton in all his homosexual, golden-tanned glory.
Jan. 3 - Present: was fed up with my haircut and had it basically all chopped off. Feeling a bit like a lesbian, but mostly feeling very light and edgy. Have been suffering from foot leprosy since NYE and I think I will finally cave and buy some ointment of some kind at the chemist today (you win this time, sand mites). Been staying with Denton and meeting his friends and going to nude beaches and it's been absolutely amazing! Feeling much more settled and calm, not so much like a fish out of water. Or, more appropriately, a bear out of the forest. Hah ha haahhhh. Sorry.
It's strange to be away from my routine, and everyone I was used to talking to on a daily basis. But it's incredibly freeing to know that I can pick up and do whatever I want whenever I want. On a whim I decided to go to Brisbane to visit my good friend Bondy after I leave Sydney, where he has assured me we will misbehave like beautiful young hipsters, possibly get married, and generally have massive amounts of fun.
I can already hear myself using the words and phrasing of the people here - it's just so catchy. Time seems to move slowly and there is a feeling in the air, even in the city, that people are just relaxed. I think I will head out for a run, and will try not to trip over the tree branches that sometimes pop up out of the sidewalk. Have already suffered massive leg bruising from unknown forces, as well as tearing up my hand while climbing a tree. But salt water is great for healing and I am a resilient fawn. I promise my writing will become more cohesive...there's just so much to do, to think about, to see. It's hard to nail these experiences down with mere letters and words.
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