Pronouncements about travel are a dime a dozen, but I'll go with Bill Bryson: "I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything."
Traveling to Melbourne is not a journey to the end of the earth in any but the most literal sense. It's more like traveling a really long way to find Canada, but with much better weather and cheerier locals. The language is the same, and you can easily obtain what Tim considers the hallmarks of a civilized society: KitKats, Diet Coke, and Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup. Even our hyper-manicured tour of South America last summer served up a more rugged adventure.
But to be somewhere else does awaken a desire to see in a way that gets dulled by long periods at home. And Australia brought different landscapes and history, international culture and cuisine, time with old and new friends, and invaluable perspective on everything from suburban child-rearing to international politics.
These notes about our sabbatical here of course have an editorial bias; Tim and Rob will tell their own stories. But we all have enjoyed our time here together -- no matter what Tim says about the hardship of living without cable -- and we all look forward to seeing everyone back home.
You did great with the planning and execution of your journey.
Also with the web notes and photos for all of us homebodies.
Posted by: hewitt | June 20, 2006 at 08:59
Greetings!
Best Australian Hotels is pleased to announce that your blog:Australia Days has been nominated in the Aussie Best Blog 2007 (The Great Traveller Award).
To view the Blog Contest, you may check out: http://www.bestaustralianhotels.com
Thank you, and good luck!
Sincerely,
Bestaustralianhotels Team
Posted by: Best Australian Hotels | January 25, 2007 at 21:58