Turning Point - Sydney, Australia (Oz)

The past weeks have been phenomenal. Traveling with Brittany is always a high-paced adventure starting early in the morning and ending when the sun goes down (around 10pm this time of year in S. New Zealand). More than is described on this blog, we have a history of tearing through countries from end-to-end trying to do, see, and eat everything. But now I'm traveling solo. Brittany had to go half-way back around the world to complete her last semester. We are tentatively planning to meet somewhere in India following her graduation, but the trip will take a change of pace until then.


I learned from one of my mom's cousins (who long ago migrated to Germany) that group size is indirectly proportionate to cultural experience on a trip. I wanted to organize a large group to work and live in Malta for a summer so we could have an authentic experience; my mom's cousin slightly cringed. When traveling in a large group one tends to mingle with the group, eat, drink, and explore with the group. Countries fade into backdrops as you and your cronies enjoy life as back at home just with different scenery. Brittany and I travel as a pair, which I think allows us pretty good cultural contact.

Traveling solo has been an important goal of mine for a while. Now I have to talk to people. Now I have to interact with locals. Now people are much more likely to approach me, invite me in their homes, talk to me about local politics, etc. Undoubtedly I prefer traveling with Brittany, but this is where the personal journey begins. I'm currently in Sydney staying in a 23 person dorm room called 'The Church' for its stained glass windows. You have to meet people when staying in that type of accomodation. The strange conversations have begun and things will only get wierder in two days when I fly to Indonesia.