I haven't written and I apologize for that. I've been working. And when I haven't been working, I've been traveling. And when I haven't been traveling, I've been soaking in Brisbane. And when I haven't been soaking in Brisbane, well...it's hard to sit down and write with so many people around.

Ever since Woodford, many travelers have passed through the house (some never left). Strangers have become friends, many of whom I hope to see again. The lease here ended, so some of the housemates will be different. The problem has been that no one here has been quite prepared to leave. Therefore, the house has been simultaneously full of old and new housemates. It's beginning to settle down now, seeing as how a few people have left for month-long trips to places like Port Douglas and New Zealand.

And where have I been?


A few weeks ago I went to Byron Bay, which is known for it's lighthouse and the most easterly point of Australia. From the lighthouse, we could see dolphins, manta rays and some white floating stuff that I think was just sea phlegm. It was still pretty.

A few days before Obama's Inauguration (!!), I went to Melbourne. I liked Melbourne for it's lack of humidity in comparison to Brisbane. What I did not like, however, was how easily I got sun burnt-- I heard from people that the ozone is the worst in Sydney and Melbourne. In Melbourne, we shopped in the Camberwell and Queen Victoria Markets, walked around Federation Square and sat just outside the Australian Open in Melbourne Park.


For the last two days of our stay, we drove down The Great Ocean Road from Geelong to the Twelve Apostles (above, taken from Justin's camera). I think it may have been one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen. The road leads to Adelaide and I hope to take the whole thing one day (either from Melbourne to Adelaide or vice versa).

Other updates that I'm too lazy to weave in:

1. We have chickens in the backyard now. There are four.

2. I have officially given up pork (it's been serious for about 3-4 weeks now?). I couldn't eat it after I found out pigs have the brain intelligence equivalent to that of a 3 or 4-year-old child.

3. I've also been cutting down on beef for global warming purposes (methane from livestock). It's something I'm going to avoid, though I'm not sure if I'll ever have the tenacity to cut beef out of my life entirely.

4. Australia Day was yesterday. Happy Australia Day! In my opinion, it's a lot like the poor man's version of America's Independence Day. There's lots of drinking, except they aren't celebrating their Independence and there are no fireworks.

Woodford Folk Festival

Taken at sunrise (just before 5 AM) upon a giant hill at Woodford on New Years Day:


In the distance are the Glass House Mountains. If you are wondering if that's a viking up close, you are absolutely 100% correct.

Sometimes, it's best not to ask questions.

We left for Woodford around 6 AM the morning of my birthday and stayed until January 2. We slept in tents, which became unbearably hot to sleep in at any point past 7 AM. As a result, not much sleep was had throughout the week.

To avoid paying $450 AUD to be there, I volunteered as a bar cashier for 3 or 4 5-hour shifts. It felt like a pretty good deal, considering the amount of free time I had.

The focus of the festival was International Arts. With over 2000 performers, it involved concerts, dances, forums, street theater, circus shows and a film festival. A few music artists I took away from it based upon live performance were That 1 Guy (really, amazing), Kate Miller-Heidke and Jambezi.

I noticed many of the local performers always seemed to incorporate one of my favorite instruments, the didgeridoo.

On New Years Eve, I was surprised to hear references of Obama coming into the White House and what a big step it is for mankind. Although I realize it's a big step for the USA, the whole comment just felt so out of context considering it was said in an ampitheatre at a festival consisting of thousands of (mostly) Australians in Australia...

Although I didn't meet any people from the United States, I befriended a handful of Canadians at the festival. I met two Canadian backpackers, in particular, who made me reconsider how I'm spending my time in Australia. Because I arrived here extremely low on cash, I've stayed mostly in the same spot until I can make enough money to travel somewhere else. Having arrived around the same time as me, they've been traveling up and down the whole coast using a car they bought, picking fruit for money. While they were jealous of my grounded lifestyle, I, in turn, was extremely jealous of all they've seen-- from Melbourne to Sydney to Brisbane and all that's in between.

I suppose there isn't much I can do except wait until money from work begins to build up (there's been setbacks such as health insurance). I'm leaving for Melbourne for 4 days in about two weeks with Adam and Justin, which I hope will subside at least a little of my traveling antsyness.