WanderingWhy…

When we arrived in Sydney, we really felt upside down for many reasons. Of course the most obvious is the time difference. But aside from that, it was so strange to enter a country where we speak the language. For seven months we spoke Spanish, or tried to speak Spanish. Then we arrived in Brazil where the only words I knew were “yes, no , bathroom, and thank you” and WS knew all the bad words from Jiu Jitsu, not helpful in asking for directions. WS and I would argue over who could perform the best charades in order to get directions or even order food.

Enter Australia. For a full day I thanked everyone first in Spanish (we had a layover in Chile that got me going with my Spanglish again), then in Portuguese, before I realized hey, they understand me! I understand them!

We ask for directions. We order food. We shop in the grocery store with a good understanding of the currency. We do this all comfortably.

Another shocker is the choice of food available in the grocery store. Vegetables, fruit, and…..peanut butter!! I have not had peanut butter since Panama. Here there was a choice of five different kinds right next to the vegemite. We (okay, I) ate a small jar within the week.

Sydney is an incredibly walkable city, with shopping centers around every corner. And along with all the shopping, you need a coffee to keep you going. And where to go? Starbucks, of course. I have not had Starbucks since Peru, and the chai was pretty disappointing. In Sydney I am embarrassed to say (not really) that I have had four chai teas in the past week.

Australia feels like a vacation within our travels. We keep saying “this is just too easy”. And it is. But we are not complaining.

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