Getting Closer
Trip Start
Jan 20, 2004
1
87
88
Trip End
Feb 01, 2005
Melbourne,
Australia
Monday, January 31, 2005
Total Catch Up
I was bubbling over with excitement as I collected my backpack from the carousel and made my way to the Skybus. I stored my things at the terminal and proceeded to walk the streets of Melbourne on my way to lunch with an old work colleague.
My bubble of blissful ignorance was soon burst as I almost got run over when crossing the first intersection. I couldn't stop the smile on my face as I walked past familiar streets, shops and I couldn't stop heaving massive sighs trying to soak up the Melbourne vibe all at once.
Seeing Mary and hearing about how Principal For A Day is going. Meeting up with Dunks, who is like a sister to me, on Southbank and meeting her boyfriend Kyle the Kiwi who she came back from London to be with. The happy reunion with Bec and Betto, my old housemates and current lounge room floor lenders. Hearing all the racy goss from Helen and Michael. Breakfast with Betto and pregnant Morgan. Being back at kickboxing and bruising my knuckles. The fabulous barbeque that Bec and Betto organised and getting to see Stu, Joe, Brad and Dru again and see their new utes. Drinks with Jaime, Peters, Stu, Joe and Chris. A day in Torquay with Kylie from my travels on the Amazon. Excitedly helping Tammie plan her South American trip.
It was all great and I realised what awesome friends I have and how much I love Melbourne. However, gotta keep rolling with the punches and doing something new, so a few job applications in Sydney were written.
After 5 brilliant days it was finally time to go back to Mildura and see my family.
Things I Learned
* Friends, family and familiarity can make anywhere feel like home.
* You experience an infinite number of things in a year of travel.
* It's nice to know your way around without needing a guidebook, map or recommendations.
