A Marathon

Goodbye Chi-town! 

It kind of feels like a marathon. Not that I would really know. But if I had to guess- the preparation, excitement and exhaustion would feel something like this. Not physically, but mentally. I have been planning this trip for a year. And today- I'm doing it. I'm really doing it. Wait...What am I doing?! I honestly don't think it has hit me yet. Not sure when it will. Still on a runner's high. 

Right now I am on the second leg of three flights. My travels began at 10 this morning. Drove to Chicago, said a tearful goodbye to Mom and Dad and hopped on a plane to Detroit. I landed in Detroit with enough time to check in with Mom and Dad, use the restroom, order a peanut butter, marshmallow cream and banana sandwich (it was spectacular), and walk right onto my next flight- where I am now. So far I feel good, getting tired, but comfortable otherwise. This flight is about 5 hours- just a little training flight for what is to come > a 15 hour flight from LAX to Sydney. 

The pilot came over the intercom a bit ago to explain that we will be heading through Iowa skies and then directly over Denver before descending into LA. I found it comforting to be able to wave goodbye one more time to my friends and family.

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So this marathon began in January of this year. My roommate in Denver,  Lisa, had talked about traveling somewhere overseas for a while. Always suggesting she was ready when I was. It took some time, but not a whole lot of persuasion to agree with her- traveling was a must and it should happen soon. 

We debated Europe, but ultimately determined Australia was more fitting for our 6 month sabbatical from the real world. We talked to some Aussie friends, did a little research and next thing you know we had plane tickets. Then... a Visa. Next...we ended our apartment lease, packed our bags and well...here I am- flying. To Australia. (Lisa is joining me in February) 

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To my parents' dismay I, of course,  waited until the last minute to complete some necessary tasks before embarking on this journey. Like...getting currency- oops. I have a wallet full of dollars, but unfortunately they are US dollars not AUS dollars. Who knew banks in Iowa didn't just have a bunch of AUS money on hand?! And outlet converters- why doesn't every country just enjoy the ease of 2 parallel prongs? I guess I won't be straightening my hair for the first few days..or even drying it for that matter! Oh well, what can ya do?! It's all part of this adventure...right? 

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Next to "Why Australia?", the second most asked question is "What happens when you land in Sydney?" Until about 4 days ago I didn't really know. Haha- I guess I didn't realize how last minute I have been with some of these important details!  Well the good news is I have a plan and I think it's a good one! I land in Sydney on December 9th around 8am (about 3 pm Dec. 8th in the US). I will take a train from the airport to the Revesby station where I will meet one of my Aussie friends. I am staying with him for a few days and then either driving with him or grabbing a flight to the Gold Coast where I will reside until Lisa comes over. An amazing family has offered to let me stay with them there until I find more permanent accommodations. Once Lisa arrives I will meet her in Sydney and we will most likely head to Melbourne. This is where we plan to call home for the remainder of our time in Australia. It will be fun to see if everything goes as planned!

I'll keep you posted! 

The marathon continues. 

Emotions are all over the place. 

The finish line is close. 

The fun begins SO soon!