Changes for the better!
Photo: Blair SiegelAs I sit in my local Starbucks, the nostalgic feeling I have while writing this article is almost as surreal as the moment I booked my first flight to Australia nearly three years ago. It’s crazy to think it’s already been three whole years. So much has changed in my life, yet I still feel like I have such a big agenda, and so much more to check off my itinerary.
Of course the initial emotions upon planning my trip were expected: excited beyond words, a little bit nervous, but mostly in a state of disbelief that I, just a 20 year old kid, was about to experience my first trip abroad. As prepared as I was for the endless schooners of beer and hot summer days, what I wasn’t expecting was the substantial culture shock that hit me almost immediately after landing down under.
Photo: Blair SiegelWithin hours upon arriving in Sydney and getting through customs, I hopped into my host’s car only to feel an instant sense of confusion- the passenger seat quickly became the driver’s seat, and driving on the opposite of the road was downright terrifying. To call myself an extreme backseat driver for that ride home is an understatement. Suddenly, everything felt so different. Making a right turn was done on the left side of the road, I thought we were going to drive into oncoming traffic, and people surprisingly drove a lot less chaotically. It didn’t take much longer for me to realize that I had a huge amount of culture to soak up during my few weeks in this beautiful country.
You might think there wouldn’t be a stark contrast between America and Australia. English is the native language in both lands, we’ve been allies for decades, generally have a similar gastronomic culture, and both countries are majority descendants from Western Europe. How wrong was I to think they’d be anything alike. After exploring other major cities such as Melbourne and the Gold Coast, it dawned on me that Australia’s culture is particularly unique and special. Its narrow streets, smaller food portions, and gorgeous architecture have a European charm. However, its urban lifestyle and lively cityscapes could be comparable to New York, while the beach towns that have undeniably beautiful crystal clear waters with a laid back ambiance are easily equivalent to Venice Beach.
Photo: Blair SiegelFrom participating in the necessary tourist activities like exploring the Sydney Opera House, Hosier Lane in Melbourne, and a private tour of famous landmarks along Australia’s East Coast, to getting more of a local’s perspective by checking out small neighborhood pubs, secluded beaches, and even celebrating Christmas with the family of newly made friends, I knew I was having the time of my life.
A few weeks after being in paradise came to a close, I found myself back in LA reflecting deeper than ever before. It loomed on me how big this world is, and how much there is to see, do, and explore. I suddenly had a consciousness that I didn’t have before my trip – I found myself comparing my three weeks away to my everyday life. The differences between our two cultures that I never thought twice about prior. Everything felt miniscule. I felt more eager and motivated to want to keep traveling. My desire for wanting to gain more knowledge about other countries, cultures, and traditions instantly grew, and that feeling still resides within me today.
Photo: Blair SiegelSo, if you’ve never been abroad and are in the works of planning a destination trip, let me just tell you first hand that it changed my life for the better. Not only do I feel lucky for having been on truly amazing excursions, but I have a powerful sense of appreciation for the myriad of cultures that exist outside my own. Not to mention, meeting my boyfriend in Australia was the perfect excuse to go back another two times.
Photo: Blair Siegel