Refreshed by WA

The Round House | Fremantle, WA | 1.22.11 

I packed up and flew to Perth last Thursday. I think it was obvious in a previous post that I had some anxiety about the move. Well here is how it all panned out: 

Recognizing laundry amenities and home-cooked meals were no longer going to be at my fingertips,  I spent my last day on the Goldy enjoying a delicious meal with the Borsboom's and packing up my clean clothes! (A traveler's tip- roll your clothes. Beth helped me pack using this new strategy and with all of my clothes rolled up I still had room for more.)

When I got to the airport there was a nice long check in line that I did not have time for. They ended up moving me to the front of the line only to learn that my luggage was 1 kilo over and I needed to take something out of my bag. Too bad I hadn't yet figured out how one kilo translates to pounds. In my hurried state I just started pulling things out of my bag and waited for the attendant to approve.  What I was going to do with the extra kilo of possessions was still a mystery! I received my boarding pass and ran through security. I had stuffed the extra weight into my carry-on and just crossed my fingers that none of it would be taken away. 

Next thing I knew- I was in Sydney trying to get my timezones straightened out so I wouldn't be rushing to my next flight. I grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to my next flight. This is when it really set in that I really was starting a new part of my journey. 

I was picked up at the airport by a Belgian woman named Lute- a friend of a friend. Having someone pick me up at the airport was good. It made me feel less like I was being thrown into a new place and more like I was just getting set down gently. I stayed the night at her place and she and her boyfriend cooked me up a nice dinner of kangaroo and cous cous! Yes, you read that correctly. I ate Kangaroo. It was nice. Kind of like steak, maybe a bit chewier. It is very good for you- high in protein, zero cholesterol. There is a lot of controversy about whether it is appropriate to eat the animal used on the country's Coat of Arms, but I couldn't be in Australia and not try it! Dinner was followed by tea and legit Belgian chocolate that was to die for. Things were looking up! 

Friday morning Lute and I had some great conversations about a variety of topics, namely Australia's education system, (a system that is worthy of its own blog post) and she toasted up Belgian waffles that her family sent over. Between the waffles and the chocolate I am starting to think Belgium may need to go on my bucket list!

THEN....it was time. Time to face reality and head to my new place of residence. Unsure how to mentally prepare for moving into a hostel, I put a smile on my face and pretended I was the best thing to hit this planet. Haha- for real though- I needed to do this so I could remain confident and not freak out. 

Nonetheless I freaked out. (Kept smiling though so no one else could tell!)  Pit in my stomach, I marched up the first floor to room one, introduced myself to the 5 girls in my room and marched right back downstairs clueless of what I was actually planning to do once I hit the main floor again. I walked around a bit, trying to look as if it wasn't my first day there. Walked to the pool area- a group chatting, and another group smoking- possibly something other than tobacco. Walked through the kitchen and TV area- people everywhere, nobody talking- just intently watching a movie.  Walked to the front- a couple people at the bar, and more smokers out on the patio.  Not quite feeling ready to invite myself into one of these groups I went straight to the computer and wrote an e-mail to some of my friends back home. It turned out to be a good exercise as it reminded me that I didn't have anything to lose here because no matter what-  I had them (and tons of other people) back home. So with my second wind of confidence I walked back to the front, bought a beer and introduced myself to the crowd. 

Next thing you know 

   

I was here: An alternative bar, watching a band that considered their music genre to be "Rocker-Billie". I would say it was more like Johnny Cash with an electric guitar and some screaming here and there. 

And I was with them: A group from England- each with a different background. 

                                                      

After a fun night of unique music and new friends I woke up excited and ready to conquer Western Australia. 

On Saturday I was given a tour of the area in and around Perth. The outing consisted of good conversation with new perspectives and scenery that had me reveling in Australia's biggest state.  

Kite Surfer | Scarborough Beach 

Fremantle Port 

North Beach | Fremantle, WA

There isn't anything quite like traveling. I smile just thinking about it and become giddy every time I acknowledge the fact that I am halfway across the world!  

The apprehension I had before traveling to Perth, and the fact that I have already conquered it, has me feeling refreshed and on top of the world!