Traveling from London, England to Sydney, Australia was definitely not an enjoyable adventure to say the least. Twenty-two hours and forty minutes of sitting in one seat was not exactly stimulating. Arriving in Australia was so refreshing. I sometimes describe returning to Australia like returning to a church that is your home and you know and love. It just feels ‘right’. After 6 and a half years of being the “foreigner” I was happy to finally be able to fit in….only to be told that I had a strong Canadian accent that came and went every second sentence. I’ve sadly concluded that I will always be the ‘out-sider’. Telling Kenny, my boyfriend, about my sad conclusion he replied, “oh you love being the one with the accent!” …. I think he knows me too well. Australia as most people might know is a very dangerous country, but not necessarily how most people would think. Returning to Australia is also returning to a lot of memorabilia- most of which includes experiences with food. Tim tams, Lamingtons, Meat pies and chocolates that you just couldn’t get in Canada are all now at our fingertips…as I mentioned before, Australia is quite a dangerous country.
After a week of reuniting with old family friends and sharing about the journey that is set before us, we set off up the coast to my mum’s family’s house. A twelve hour drive seems not so bad after being welcomed by big hugs and kisses from grandparents, aunties and uncles that we haven’t seen for two years. It has been such a blessing being able to spend time with them again. I didn’t realize just how much my mum is like her family. It’s like living in a house with six Judi Owens’, all with their own flavour, but ALL with the same sense of humour and relaxed personality. It’s so lovely to see my mother finally with her family again, and laughing all the time. It was really cool to have the whole ‘Canadianized’ Owens clan experiencing the Australian beach again. I definitely miss Canada a lot, but I think I will always have a soft spot for this sunburned country…
After a week of reuniting with old family friends and sharing about the journey that is set before us, we set off up the coast to my mum’s family’s house. A twelve hour drive seems not so bad after being welcomed by big hugs and kisses from grandparents, aunties and uncles that we haven’t seen for two years. It has been such a blessing being able to spend time with them again. I didn’t realize just how much my mum is like her family. It’s like living in a house with six Judi Owens’, all with their own flavour, but ALL with the same sense of humour and relaxed personality. It’s so lovely to see my mother finally with her family again, and laughing all the time. It was really cool to have the whole ‘Canadianized’ Owens clan experiencing the Australian beach again. I definitely miss Canada a lot, but I think I will always have a soft spot for this sunburned country…
Comments
Enjoy South Africa - it is a gentle way to ease into life in Africa - Tazania will be a whole lot different!!
Blessings
"Uncle Dave" in Vancouver (as all those SA folk would call me.)