Arrival

Finishing up my first day in Australia. In about half an hour a group from my hostel will be making its nightly social organized outing. Tonight incidentally, is to a place called Soho.

Travel was uneventful, a ease unknown to me. Asiana Airlines is sufficient. Meals were pretty poor but service was good. It is pronounced Ásian-a vs a-si-á-na which I still think sounds cooler. I got a shuttle to my hostel right away.

I haven’t experienced a grand moment where I realize I’m an immigrant trying to move to another country with a very fluid if not sparse plan. But this is how I’ve always been. It never ‘hits’ me in a definable moment. I can be present in terms of location very easily. My mind adjusts quickly to wherever I am. There isn’t a huge anxiety ridden excitement but more of a calm acceptance and peace with a bit of excitement. I’m where I am supposed to be at this time in my life. This is home now. Or it will be very soon.

I spent the day lounging at my hostel, talking with fellow travelers, briefly checking of email, playing billiards, taking a quick nap that I wish could have been longer. My hostel is great. Jackaroo is ranked #3 on Hostel World and I can see why. The owners are very present making improvements and talking to guests. Each night there are planned social events and they provide free internet.

I also wandered around the town. I’m in Sydney but it is divided into distinct neighborhoods or suburbs. Right now I am in Kings Cross, truly a crossroads of the up and coming neighborhood and the desire to stay seedy. Walk a few blocks in one direction and hit a row of cheap cell phone stores and strip clubs. Walk the other way and find charming bistros and parks. I’m pleased to note that my sense of direction does seem to be better here even without a grid. It was 180 degrees wrong at all times in the US. My hope is that since bodies are 78% water (or something to that effect) and the water flows that other way here (a fact I have yet to verify) that my body was just attuned to the wrong hemisphere before.

A few other things I’ve noticed:

Nobody crosses the street before the walk sign is on. In NYC if you were not already half way across at that point you are late. I’ve already found myself alone in the middle of the road a few times. The road in which I might get run over because I have not gotten used to looking the right way.

Moving in winter was not a problem. It is sunny and spring like.

I will be eating a lot of noodles or the equivalent because food is expensive.

Rent is cheaper but you also have less bedroom space than NYC. It does seem there are more common areas in the same apartments.

It has a noticeably different vibe than NYC (sarcastic “surprise” to that observation). I also don’t think it is quite like Boston or DC either. Granted, these observations are made after a day lost in the travel time vortex and while staying in a predominantly backpacker area of town.

For the next few days my plan is to get an apartment, tax number, and wander around aimlessly taking in all the new sights.

Realizations

I’m in preparation mood for Australia. With only 10 days to go I’m busy packing, dinners, parties, looking for apartments, and selling off even more stuff. Even thought I haven’t taken off yet, the journey of an immigrant has been an interesting one. No matter what happens once I land, this process has been amazing and well worth it. I’ve realized a bunch of things:

I’ve realized how small the world has become: So many people I know have already been to Australia or know somebody who lives there giving me a host of people to contact once I land.

I’ve realized it is so important to have people to support you: I have people who love me and will let me cry, vent, or babble on in excitement no matter what the emotion of the minute may be. I know there are people in my life who support me.

I’ve realized moments of connection can happen when you are open to them: After deciding to move to Australia I meant a few people in unexpected places. A friend of a friend I met after a kickball game gave me the suggestion of the Visa that enabled me to leave. While visiting my boyfriend in DC I met a girl who just moved from Sydney to NYC.

I’ve realized how things can come back around: I got my Masters in Social Welfare almost four years ago. It was a difficult time in my life but I think its important to finish what you start. Turns out a MSW gets a 60 out of 60 points in the Aussie scale for education needed to get a Visa.

I’ve realized how attached I am to material possessions: I’m attempting to whittle my stuff down to two suitcases, plus the box at my parent’s house. I can and will live with less clutter.

I’ve realized our lives are constantly in transition: Whether that is moving, looking for or starting a new job, buying a house, getting in or out of a romantic relationship, having a baby, making new friends, everyone has change in life.

I've realized craigslist people can be crazy: The person buying my tv asking if I had closets, the old man who wants to tell me that everything I owe is crap do I want to sell it for $5, the lady whose cat, dog, bug, boyfriend, boss, and herself all had to go to the er instead of saying she no longer wanted the rug...

I’ve realized there can be joy even in uncertainty: I don’t know what is going to happen. But I do know that it will be amazing. If you face fears and challenges, what you get out of it is its own reward and sets the stage for great things to happen.