Eyes Wide Open: Bushwalking, Kangaroos, Parrots & More!
So the topic of time brings me to the ending highlight of the week: the weekend getaway to Merry Beach on the South coast of AUS!
The CIEE crew all packed up in a van and drove south of Wollongong on Thursday for about 3 hours until we came upon the vast and beautiful land that was Merry Beach! We stopped off at a seaside fish and chips [fries] shack during the pleasant drive down, and also at an amazing blowhole!
And who was there to greet us upon arrival to Merry Beach?
Just a tribe of wild grey kangaroos.
KANGAROOS. IN OUR BACKYARD.
We fed these creatures that were semi-willing to trust us, and trust us to the point where we could put our arms around them and take kanga selfies! Kanga selfies galore. I didn’t understand how a thing could be soooo cute yet look absolutely freakish at the same time until I saw these 'roos up close and personal. They’re like mammalian t-rexes with gigantic skinny feet, and they behave similar to deer. Or cats. Either one. ;)
After we were properly received by the 'roos, we moved into beautiful cabins that did not disappoint, explored the beach (there was the biggest rainbow!), and competently cooked up a delicious steak dinner! We devoured the food by the fire in between getting to know each other better through stories and secrets untold, and ended the night with a beach walk under an extremely starry sky. Bri and I caught a shooting star and made wishes together that'll one day come true if we're lucky! (:
On Friday, after Lance and I cooked an American breakfast for the gang, I had such a fulfilling and awakening experience bushwalking ['hiking'] up the sacred Mt. Gualga with the aboriginal people of the south coast. We hiked up in silence and reverence in order to listen with all of our senses to the teachings and voice of the Mother [Nature/Earth] around us. I loved this time because it reminded me of Kairos, and stepping outside of the self and into the surrounding world at times is good for the soul. I've never seen so many tree tops so close to me in my life! The intriguing sounds of the magpies and lyrebirds (best mimickers in the world), the whisper of the winds within the trees, the pitter-patter of nearby animal life, the scruff of my shoes against the red earth - I imbibed it all. Because as Uncle Max, the aboriginal elder and keeper of knowledge who led us remarked with the utmost amount of respect, "Nature is the greatest teacher of all".
After lunch at the mountaintop, we had the gift of watching aboriginal dancers perform for us and teach us the meanings behind their movements and ways of life. They then anointed us on our temples, forehead, and chin with the paint they'd used on their own bodies in order to help us open our third eye, which would help us understand and truly see the teaching to come.
We were taken through the gateway in silence, even higher up into an earthy cathedral of rocks and deeper in spirituality.
Uncle Max had to 'clap' us into their sacred place for protection, and used ancient clap sticks that had been used across the globe for thousands of years and were now passed down to him. He took his time leading the large mob [group] of people from all walks of life through the mountaintop, stopping at specific rock formations and natural sculptures to tell us the meanings behind each. Some were naturally shaped like body parts, others like water and land animals, all of which revealed lessons about the human condition and life itself.
The three-rock tower symbolizing the past, the now, and death resonated with me the most, as I often can be too concerned with what's happened in the past or whatever life may bring me in the future to focus on what's good in the present. I liked the notion of living in the now and appreciating the moment present, as we run through life full-speed ahead just to see another Grandfather Sun instead of enjoying the one given at present. This mentality of mindfulness is something I intend to apply to my time here in Australia and my life beyond as well.
We delved deeper into our spirituality through different exercises on that mountaintop, and were fortunate enough to experience things not even the average Australian has ever heard about. Embracing the bushwalk of Mt. Gualga was entirely life-enhancing, and though the hike down was tough like the hike up, I left the mountain feeling rejuvenated. Rocks have a tendency to energize, according to Uncle Max and his mob.
Friday night we had dinner and dessert out at a delicious American themed restaurant [like Outback Steakhouse is Australian themed in the States) and were so tired when we got back that after a small chat we all went to sleep early! But not before eating Tim Tams - more on that later. ;)
The next morning, my friends, Allie, Ankita, and Lance, accompanied me to watch the sunrise over the beach and surrounding mountain terrain and jungle. We hiked up a short ways to get the best view as the orange globe began to light up the night sky. As I watched the world brighten, I thought to myself about how incredibly lucky I am to have had such rich experiences in a matter of a few days - some of which not even Australians have been exposed to or understand.
We said goodbye to the kangaroos, ducks, exotic birds, and flock of parrots who'd become so fond of us, and bid that beautiful beach and mountainside farewell. On the ride back we stopped off in Berry (aww yeah - all the shops had 'Berry' in their shop names #holla) to chow down on Australia's famous life-changing donuts (yaasss) and meet up with Tonia, the delightful woman who took us around on Monday, her husband (a previous anthro prof. at Notre Dame), and Uncle Max.
The experience was more than I could have ever asked for as an introduction into this magnificent land, and I can already tell I'm falling in love! I'm so happy Wayne and Tonia planned this highlight during O-Week, and am thankful I had the chance to have my third eye opened.
I'll leave you with the melodies of an Australian artist whose vibe meshed perfectly with this weekend's adventures!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k
