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sabrinamariNow I need to think about a unique opportunity coming my way. I can spend up to the last half of February in Australia, and only about four days must be dedicated to facilitation.
I'm absolutely going to go, but I don't know when, exactly how or what I'm targeting there yet.
* I'll be traveling alone during most of the trip. My mentors planned a private excursion, so I'm completely free to do whatever I wish, going wherever I please. I've never travelled alone overseas. This will be the first time.
* My only constraints, aside from time, are:
Money: I don't want to use up a crazy amount of resources, but neither am I willing to pass up what may be my only opportunity to explore this continent. I do have a significant cash reserve, but I need to figure out how much I'm willing to tap it.
Knowledge: I need to do some serious research and do it quickly, so I can buy my ticket and get my visa (which, thank goodness, can be done online)
Desire: This is the tough one. This is always the tough one. Given the huge range of possibilities before me, what do I actually want? This is the most important question.
Michael once told me that there are two important questions in life, and it's critical to ask them in the right order:
1. Where am I going?
2. Who will go with me?
If you ask the second question before the first, you're totally screwed. But if you get the order right, you can end up just where you most want to be.
In this case, I don't have to worry about the second question at all. If I get the answer to the first one right, whoever I'm supposed to meet and whatever I need to experience will unfold before me.
Questions...
* Is this a pilgrimage? If I were going to Greece, yes, it would be. But that doesn't mean that Greece is the only place with something profound to offer.
* Is it a chance to explore a new-to-me ancient culture? I've been all over Central America, focusing mostly on cities built and inhabited by the dead. Aboriginal culture is far from dead, and with this trip, I could learn a great deal about Aboriginal people, both ancient and modern.
* Is it mostly an adventure? Maybe a chance to check out the Great Barrier Reef? I've always wanted to scuba the GBR.
* Is it something else entirely?
The problem: I just don't know yet. Usually I like to take my time before I make big decisions, and I can't really do that in this particular case. I need to be a little more decisive than usual this time around.
I'm feeling pretty resistant to thinking about this. Usually, that means it's a.) important b.) scary and c.) risky, but potentially wonderful.
Possible strategies:
Start reading about Australia online.
Head to Borders and scan the shelves, picking up possible guides and looking through them.
Check in with my internal GPS until it points me in a good direction.
Plan of action: acknowledge and accept my resistance and move forward with the above strategies anyway. Pretty much the usual.
I'm absolutely going to go, but I don't know when, exactly how or what I'm targeting there yet.
* I'll be traveling alone during most of the trip. My mentors planned a private excursion, so I'm completely free to do whatever I wish, going wherever I please. I've never travelled alone overseas. This will be the first time.
* My only constraints, aside from time, are:
Money: I don't want to use up a crazy amount of resources, but neither am I willing to pass up what may be my only opportunity to explore this continent. I do have a significant cash reserve, but I need to figure out how much I'm willing to tap it.
Knowledge: I need to do some serious research and do it quickly, so I can buy my ticket and get my visa (which, thank goodness, can be done online)
Desire: This is the tough one. This is always the tough one. Given the huge range of possibilities before me, what do I actually want? This is the most important question.
Michael once told me that there are two important questions in life, and it's critical to ask them in the right order:
1. Where am I going?
2. Who will go with me?
If you ask the second question before the first, you're totally screwed. But if you get the order right, you can end up just where you most want to be.
In this case, I don't have to worry about the second question at all. If I get the answer to the first one right, whoever I'm supposed to meet and whatever I need to experience will unfold before me.
Questions...
* Is this a pilgrimage? If I were going to Greece, yes, it would be. But that doesn't mean that Greece is the only place with something profound to offer.
* Is it a chance to explore a new-to-me ancient culture? I've been all over Central America, focusing mostly on cities built and inhabited by the dead. Aboriginal culture is far from dead, and with this trip, I could learn a great deal about Aboriginal people, both ancient and modern.
* Is it mostly an adventure? Maybe a chance to check out the Great Barrier Reef? I've always wanted to scuba the GBR.
* Is it something else entirely?
The problem: I just don't know yet. Usually I like to take my time before I make big decisions, and I can't really do that in this particular case. I need to be a little more decisive than usual this time around.
I'm feeling pretty resistant to thinking about this. Usually, that means it's a.) important b.) scary and c.) risky, but potentially wonderful.
Possible strategies:
Start reading about Australia online.
Head to Borders and scan the shelves, picking up possible guides and looking through them.
Check in with my internal GPS until it points me in a good direction.
Plan of action: acknowledge and accept my resistance and move forward with the above strategies anyway. Pretty much the usual.
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no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 07:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 11:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 07:49 pm (UTC)I went to Australia when I got a similar (funded) chance and never regretted it. This was 30 years ago so I'm sure much has changed but....
Bring your hiking boots. Australia offers superb hiking with just a short drive out of the cities. I was in Sydney and right outside Sydney are some mountains referred to as "The Three Sisters." You can hike down to the valley below and then back up or there was a tram that would take you back up. I think you would like it and the flora is completely different than what you see here. So it is very interesting.
I didn't do much on the exploring aboriginal cultures but I'm sure there's a fair amount of that to do.
As mentioned below, the sky is very different at night. None of the constellations you are used to seeing are present. Instead of the North Star you get the Southern Cross. Even if you can't identify the stars, just looking up you will notice that the sky is different. You don't really understand how the pattern of the night sky is imprinted on your brain until you look up and see something completely different. The same is true, by the way, of the flora. Even if you aren't a plant person you will notice that all the vegetation is different from what you are used to.
You must try Vegemite. Its nasty disgusting stuff -- imagine soy sauce with the consistency of peanut butter -- but the Australians love it. At least the ones I met did. But trying it is an experience.
Seriously this sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime. Jump off with both feet and never look back. I doubt you will regret a few weeks in Australia to explore. And you do not need to know everything before you get there. It sounds like you have the luxury of taking a day to get your bearings once you get there.
Also don't forget to scour the internet for knowledge. I'm sure there's a wealth of knowledge on the continent to be found on the internet. If you are actually going to be down this way on the 15th, I'll bring my pictures. I don't have many because this was the era of film and developing costs but it might light a fire under you.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 11:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 08:20 pm (UTC)I think that your anthropologist self will find an awful lot to chew on if you went exploring aboriginal cultures. There is, I am told, a LOT of sociopolitical struggle around the role of tribal cultures within the dominant Australian culture.
And if it helps with your concerns about being on your own, I can arrange introductions for you with quite a few Australians. My boss is married to an Australian, and we've had several Aussie guests at work who've been handed off to me to entertain, and between those things I could definitely put you in touch with any number of people who would be glad to show you around. My boss and her husband constantly host travelers from Australia, some of whom they don't even know-- apparently the culture there is that it's fairly common to use all your connections to find people to host you, and people are used to hosting/touring visitors. Let me know if you want me to shoot off some emails for you!
no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 11:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 08:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 11:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 08:53 pm (UTC)Hugs!
no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 09:33 pm (UTC)* Is it mostly an adventure? Maybe a chance to check out the Great Barrier Reef? I've always wanted to scuba the GBR.
Okay, that's giving me shivers. How incredibly, incredibly awesome a thought!
no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 11:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 10:43 pm (UTC)Yes
Date: 2011-01-01 11:09 pm (UTC)Re: Yes
Date: 2011-01-01 11:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 11:07 pm (UTC)I have a buddy who emigrated there- should I ask him about traveling tips?
no subject
Date: 2011-01-01 11:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-02 12:21 am (UTC)I've never had an opportunity quite like that, but I've had similar things present myself... one I didn't try for, and I've always regretted it, one I went for and it ended up being a truly memorable voyage- it was adventure and pilgrimage and exploration all in one, and I will never forget it.
My Dad went to Australia on a business trip many many years ago... one image he brought back will remain with me for the rest of my life: waking up to a racket and going to the window to see a flock of sulfur-crested cockatoos flying past his urban hotel window... magical.
Also, I'm reminded of:
When you see the Southern Cross
For the first time
You understand now
Why you came this way
'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from
Is so small.
But it's as big as the promise
The promise of a comin' day.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-02 01:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-02 04:27 am (UTC)I hope you have fun!
no subject
Date: 2011-01-02 08:53 am (UTC)I'm with
Perhaps one option might be to leave time open to just let things unfurl, rather than planning it all?
no subject
Date: 2011-01-02 04:32 pm (UTC)