Final Destinations

It is now January 29th; I am sitting in my favourite nook at home with my computer in my lap, listening to the familiar strums of John Butler, the rain falling outside, and my parents puttering around the house. It is good to be home!
I chose to return home for a few reasons. One: I missed my friends and family immensely, Two: I ran out of money and it was either work in Melbourne or at home, Three: Relationship purposes. So, passport and flight itinerary in hand, I walked into the Qantas centre with my friend, Alex, and we both re-booked our flights for a tidy $280 and walked out with seats next to each other from Melbourne-Sydney-LA-Vancouver! We had a whole week and a half to wrap things up in Melbourne and it almost didn't feel like enough time.
I booked a 3-day bus tour along the Great Ocean Road and had a fantastic final trip in Australia. Met some great travelers, held a baby koala!, hiked up an unforgettable range of pinnacles, and played my first game of cricket!
When I returned to Melbourne, Alex and I got down to some serious shopping. We perused fantastic sales, bought gifts for family and friends, emptied half our backpacks, filled them up again, and ate at a new place every night. I have only praise for the last leg of my journey.
As I sit here and look back on the 3 1/2 months I spent in Australia, I realize that I have learned some things about myself, others, and the world. Here they are, in no particular order:
MY AUSTRALIAN 50:
1. Always say yes to a new adventure - bad/weird/unexpected stories are better than no stories!
2. Spontaneous vegetarianism may occur
3. The vast majority of people on this earth are truly good
4. Say NO to goon!
5. I am braver and stronger than I expected
6. I am also weaker and dumber than I expected
7. Public transit is actually often the more expensive route in Australia
8. The land of poisonous reptiles and insects makes one paranoid of trees, bushes, grass, bare feet, corners, car doors, handles... everything
9. Chicken-flavoured chips exist
10. Beneath the waves, there exists a whole world of colour, life, and incredible experiences
11. Falling from a plane need not be terrifying
12. It is possible to wear the same shirt 30 days in a row without washing it
13. Sprouting from above: Laundry sucks. It also costs approximately $10/load in public laundromats
14. A wave and a smile and you're friends
15. Overstepping your boundaries can lead to some of the greatest experiences of life
16. Expect plans to change. It's inevitable.
17. Expect to meet new people. Don't just expect it, plan for it. Bring souvenirs, take photos, exchange addresses; who knows where you'll be in need of a couch?
18. It is alright to do absolutely nothing when traveling. You don't always have to be on-the-go!
19. Credit cards are your friend
20. Parents are incredible
21. Alcohol makes many changes, accent being one of them
22. Night clubs don't change. They're still full of douchebags, fake boobs, vomit, loud bass, and some excellent dancing
23. Men traveling Australia often really do have just one intention
24. If you didn't like beer and wine before, you will after
25. Guidebooks nearly always lose to the all-powerful internet and word-of-mouth
26. Hostels can always be bartered, you just need to know how. (ie, "$22/night? I heard it was $19...)
27. Crocodile and Kangaroo meat is sold in supermarkets, in the regular meat section
28. Douglas Adams was right: a towel is your most important traveling essential
29. You never get used to snoring in shared dorms, bring earplugs
30. Trusting people is not a sure way to lose money, possessions, or time
31. Home is just as unique as foreign places.
32. Markets are still the best places to find cheap fresh produce and some great food
33. The fastest way to get from Point A to Point B is not always the most interesting
34. Night buses are cold and uncomfortable. Bring a jacket and a pillow.
35. Blow-up pillows are crap. Bring a real one.
36. The cost of sunscreen has a direct correlation to how much you need it. Read: $20/bottle in Aus vs. $8/bottle in Canada
37. Starbucks is universal, as are 7-11 and McDonalds
38. When looking for a restaurant, refer to this rule: the fewer people, the worse the food.
39. When looking for an Asian restaurant, go to the one the Asians are sitting in, not the Caucasians
40. Germans are EVERYWHERE!!
41. Stars are highly underrated in big cities. Take a boat, take her out, turn off the lights, and marvel.
42. The Great Barrier Reef truly is as wonderful as they say
43. Your life and trip are what you make them
44. Skype is wonderful
45. Internet, cellphones, and television shrink this world
46. Traveling and meeting new people expands it
47. Backpacks are no fun to constantly unpack and re-pack. Get something with zipper access to the middle and bottom sections!
48. Racial diversity does not always mean racial integration
49. First Nations people and Aboriginals are very similar
50. There are things more important than traveling; there are reasons to come home

There it is. Hasta la vista, Australia! I had a life-changing, incredible, exhilarating trip. Now it's time to unpack, find a job, move out, start school again, and settle down for a little while. But don't worry, I still have a whole world to see!
xoxo,
Katrina