As I write this, I’m in my posh hostel near Sydney’s central train station. I shelled out big bucks for this four-bed dorm: $45. I thought it would be worth it, but, like so many things in life, I’ve had better experiences with the cheaper option. Regardless, I’ve had a few days in Sydney to wind down the trip and get some last-minute sight-seeing and shopping done. Yesterday morning I went for a run in the Royal Botanical Gardens which hug the bay adjacent to the opera house. The gardens themselves are absolutely spectacular. I felt like I was in another world and it was easy to imagine just how epic these gardens were when they were first planted well over 100 years ago. Rose and succulent gardens, towering palms and bamboo, ponds and fountains surrounded by ducks and parrots; there’s even a small rainforest! And as the path gently slopes towards the ocean the soaring walls of the opera house become visible.
Sunday morning, we went out for breakfast in Seddon (the neighbourhood to which Evan and Beth have moved) with Robbie (Evan’s mom) and her partner Frank. Although the weather was cold and windy- I said it felt like Canada- we had a wonderful time and discussed everything from terrorism and war to the ancient Mayan culture of sacrifice. Great Sunday morning talk. Then the goodbyes began and they didn’t end until later that afternoon when I boarded my flight for Sydney. Saying goodbye to Evan was hard; he really is one of my closest friends but it was made easier by knowing I’ll see him next summer. He and Beth are coming over for my wedding and a Canadian road trip.
Evan took me to a footie game (Australian rules football) Friday night at the huge Etihad Stadium, across from Melbourne’s harbour front. Although Evan’s team, the Hawthorne Hawks, lost badly I still wore my brown and gold team scarf he bought me with pride. The game was pretty fantastic. It’s hard to describe the sport- a cross between football, soccer and rugby, players rapidly hand punt the ball between each other and kick it through the goal posts to score points. Tackling of all sorts is allowed and if the ball hits the ground play doesn’t stop. It looked incredibly brutal and I saw many heads getting bounced off knees and hips but these guys are tough and nothing seems to faze them. These players are the most fit I’ve seen and run up and down the huge field constantly with only one twenty minute and two shorter breaks in game play. There are no time outs but player substitutions are allowed. The game is also extremely graceful. Players leap in the air with the accurateness of a ballerina to catch the football and bend the ball sideways and through the defence as they kick the ball down the field to team mates.
The better part of Saturday was spent at the park with Beth’s family. They were throwing a surprise 40th birthday party for Uncle Sean, who hates surprise parties and any kind of fuss being made over him. The family kept it low-key but he looked slightly unimpressed when he arrived and found 40 people and food for 100 taking over a corner of the park. The weather was foul; windy and cold but it didn’t rain and we had a cricket match all afternoon. I partnered up with Evan and learned the basics of the game which I compared to baseball and was told by several different people that it’s much more complex (and superior) to baseball. Note to self: Don’t ever say anything that could be construed as negative to Aussies about cricket.
Beth’s grandma and mom took great pride in preparing heaps of food, setting the tables with pretty flower arrangements and even walking around the party with appetizers on platters. Their attention to detail and to the happiness of their guests was beyond impressive. And despite the weather, the day was awesome. Beth’s family are very unique and quite funny. Long-time family friend Quinton had a bad car accident in his youth, resulting in a brain injury which enables him to be completely honest with everyone. He never holds back what he thinks and spits out whatever comes to mind. Pretty refreshing if you ask me. We chatted all afternoon on the cricket field and he told me I have man feet (they’re size 10) but he meant it in the nicest way possible. By the end, we were all a bit tipsy from the copious amounts of wine and Beth’s mom stared at Evan and I for awhile and declared we look alike.
We planned on a big night out for my last night in Melbourne but after we got back to the new house, we all decided a glass of wine on the couch would suit us better. Definitely getting old...
And now it’s home-time- my favourite part of the day in elementary school. At the end of a trip I like to reflect and consider the good and bad and what the whole experience meant to me. This trip has been overwhelmingly positive and I think that is largely due to being with Dane, and later, Evan. Last year in Central and South America I felt lost and purposeless and couldn’t understand why I was even travelling- especially without Eric. This trip has been considerably different and it all makes such a big difference on with who I spent my time. The attitudes of those around me can have a huge influence and I wasn’t in the right mind-set last year.
Along with all of the gorgeous places we’ve seen and cool things we’ve done together, I think Dane and I are closer than we ever have been and I’m sure it will remain that way. Going to see Evan nearly three years after I’d last seen him solidified our friendship because we both realized we will always be close, no matter how far apart we live or how often we see each other. Friendships like this are very hard to come by and must be treasured. Spending time with his and Beth’s family was also a treat and an honour and I would be happy to do it all over again.
So, in closing, I’m so excited to go home and see Eric (and family and friends of course!) that I can’t sleep but I’m also enormously appreciative of this trip I was able to take and all that it has brought me.
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