She’ll Be Right, Mate 2017 Summary
I couldn’t have had a better time on my trip and I can’t express how happy I am that I did this. It wasn’t just a great 5 weeks, but it’s the beginning of many more trips to come.
What I will miss the most about my trip:
- The People: Genuinely good people everywhere. From the Kiwi’s who invited me to stay in their home with them and feed me for a few days, to the Russian-American brothers who watched my drink at a club in Nadi. I felt safer than I do on the street in St Paul or Minneapolis. It feels somewhat tragic that I have made so many friends on the other side of the world.
- The Freedom: Doing whatever I wanted by myself all day every day. Without having to abide by a schedule or daily routines, or anyone else. I felt carefree and happy every single day. While I have a good life in Minnesota, this was the least stressed and most carefree I have ever felt.
- Perspective and Humility: Learning about the USA by talking to people from different cultures - granted every place I went was westernized, there were some pretty significant differences, mostly along the lines of values. People are paid a living wage in both New Zealand and Australia (14.45 NZD and 17.70 AUD which is 10 USD and 13.50 USD). Healthcare is a right, so there’s no stress about the cost, and people go to the doctor when they’re sick. Guns are not really a thing culturally, and they’re not as easy to access as it is here, so you don’t walk down the street thinking it’s possible to get shot like you do in the good ol’ USA.
- Local Food: In that climate, it was normal to have an avocado tree in your backyard. I will miss the amazing local food and am not too excited to try to eat local in Minnesota in the winter (Although I have joined a local co-op grocery store!) There was easy access to take away (to-go) healthy food - in Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne especially, which was nice, and a pretty big difference from Minnesota.
- Melbourne coffee: SO GOOD. Also, I didn’t have coffee in Fiji, so I am still not addicted!
- The Landscapes: You think you’ve seen the most beautiful part of New Zealand, and then bam, you see something else that makes you question that.
What I won’t miss:
- Slow internet speeds: blogging was kind of hard in some of the hostels!
- Being asked about Trump: Almost every single place I went and most people I met asked me for an explanation. Guys, I don’t know. I didn’t vote for him. I am embarrassed. Please let me pretend it’s not real for a few weeks.
- Luggage: Living out of a suitcase started to get old.
My only regrets:
- Buying a return flight
- Not bringing a nicer camera with a wider lens.