We were mostly prepared for the big things on our trip to Australia.
The amazing scenery, the animals(!), the architecture, the oceans, the vegetation (!), the people--they were all great. I probably should be talking about those first, instead of the small annoyances, but there you go...
Other big things: I fairly easily translated the distance and monetary differences. Since I used a credit card for everything, I never needed any cash. I suspect this is true everywhere in the world, now. (I tried to pay for everything--the trip was my idea.)
I found a dollar coin on the ground, (or rather, Wes did, and I grabbed it out of his hand.) So I have a souvenir. I was standing in a grocery store line and almost asked a lady if I could touch her plastic money, But then I realized how that would sound and shut my mouth in time.
The time difference, we adjusted. I won't say easily, but it was unavoidable, so we dealt with it. The driving on the other side of the road, well...more on that later.
The planes and airports were an ordeal, but expected.
The Australians were more reserved than I expected, but once approached, they were almost always nice and helpful. Weirdly, I felt like I was the extrovert, which is not my normal disposition.
I had to leave the US without my full tranquilizer prescription, but it proved not to be a problem. It appears that my agoraphobia is all but gone. I was immersed in crowds in the cities and airports and restaurants, and I could look around in total calm. I had one incident in a coffee shop where I felt the walls closing in and everyone staring, but I resorted to the "five senses" method of coping, and it worked! The tranquilizers are such a small dose, and I take them so seldom, that they are more a panacea than anything. I'll probably always have some with me, but they are there as backup nowadays.
Linda is a wonderful traveling companion. The only time there was strain is when we were lost, and even then, we learned to cope. We were with each other for every hour of every day, for thirty days, but she's funny, and supportive, and kind, and interesting. We had each other's backs. We seemed to cuddle a lot, which I think is something we should continue in our daily routine!
GPS is a lifesaver, let me tell you. Even if it did constantly send us on unintended detours. We actually made it out of Sydney and down to Wes and Ev's place without GPS, but not having it the rest of the trip is unimaginable.
Wes and Ev were incredibly gracious and helpful. Took us to see the animals, especially the penguins. Really were the solid center of the whole trip.
There were some through-lines from the US to Australia. Motels are mostly the same, except not having coffee in the lobbies. McDonald's were in every town (they call it Macca's) and I could grab my computer and get the wifi going. A bit of the routine, even if it is America at it's most colonizing mode.
Anyway, back to the reason for this post: The stress of the trip came from the small things. I know there are exceptions to everything I say here; but these are what we struggled with:
No ice for drinks. You bought ice with the drink or bought a big bag of it. They don't have the little stations in every store and gas station to fill a cup with ice and soda like the US has.
Small portions (especially of coffee!), but maybe that was good thing. I'd just order two lattes, instead of one, and ask for extra sweetener. Couldn't find any of the creamer we like. Also, no powdered lemonade or kool-aid. Since I live on the stuff, this proved to be a big deal for me. Their lemonade is some kind of carbonated something. I hated it. (Hey, lemonade is water and lemon juice with sweetener, am I right?) I drank way more soda than usual because I didn't have my usual thermos of lemonade.
Extra switches to get the lights going and having the wrong adapters and not enough computer cords. Stupidly, I didn't make my phone international, just Linda's, which was a HUGE mistake.
A rental car that was clunky and hard to drive, despite our asking for a small sedan (more on that later...)
The price gouging at all the intersections between tourism and normality. I suspect this is true all over the world, not just Australia. In the US, too.
Narrow roads, confusing street patterns. This was somewhat compensated by the fact that, once you're out of the big cities, the traffic is sparse by US standards. Sydney was a trial by fire--had to get out without GPS and driving a strange car on the wrong side of the road.
Most of the little things people take for granted. For example, the listing of plane flights on the electronic bulletin board flashed by so fast and we were in such a hurry, that we couldn't get the info. Then, with a flash of "duh" I realized that they were listed by time. Once I knew that, it was easy. Constant small learnings can wear you out.
I handled the left handed driving for 30 days, until 15 minutes. Hurrying to the airport, I hit some barrier in the road and blew out a front tire. Some guys walking by came to our rescue and put on the spare (I would have gotten it done...in about three times the time.) Left a bad taste in my mouth. Damn
But we mostly handled it just fine. If we ever did it again, we'd know what to do. (Like that is ever going to happen.)
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