Hello guys, I decided to write about something else today, not about my day. I put down some facts. I don't want to take any responsibility to these facts, maybe I'm completely wrong. But I hope you have fun reading them and these are just
my impressions.
My impression about Australians
I've talked to a few real locals. I felt always pretty comfortable, they pay you drinks, they ask you questions and are always very interested. They've often shown me respect for travelling all by myself (they were always in awe when I told them I'm alone). I've always been offered a bed at their place because they thought I don't have a home... For them its a bit difficult to imagine staying in a hostel... I've never accompanied an Oz because I feel quite comfortable in my hostel. It's very easy to talk with Aussies, you just say "Hi" and the conversation has started!
Girls are often super enthusiastic when you talk to them, they are loud, eyes fully opened and "Oh my gosh, really?" or "seriously?" is a very important phrase in their conversations. It also became mine. They're always very nice dressed, careful selected jewellery and make-up. Don't talk about yourself. Ask questions. Even though they ask you a lot, ask back! Very important.
If you talk to guys in clubs/bars they often expect more. Top topic: Sex. They make compliments, tell you how beautiful you are, want to know if you have a boyfriend and so on. Which is funny but watch out, you have to know when you have to leave the group and go further to another group to talk to...
aaand they don't often talk about work, but when they do, they tell you how hard they're working and how much/less they earn. These are my impressions.
Aussies drink. A lot! Beer. Seriously, I've never seen anyone drink so much beer such as Australians do. They're the badliest drunken people I've ever seen in my short life. And also the guys are very loud, when not even louder.
I hope my little impression about Australians made you laugh.
But the people are lovely, the hospitality is not compareable to what I've seen and they want to help you with anything. They're very easy going and everything is fine, the world is good and they're happy (*cough* too much weed probably? *cough*).
hahaha I'm being mean. But no, I really like Ozzies. I met an old (probably 55?) Swiss woman the other day, and Swiss people are sooo different. It's hard to describe but they're not as open as Aussies and they feel like they're something better... Whatever. I hope I can bring a bit of the Aussie lifestyle back to Switzerland and distribute it over the country.
I met a guy called Mark in Canberra and he still textes me daily and asks how I am and even calls me. He's from the Blue Mountains but works in Canberra. So nice! And I love the Aussie accent, I really hope I got a bit of an Aussie accent but I don't know... Hopefully.
Hostels
The employees at the reception are always amazingly friendly! They're often a bit Hippie, and they help you with everything. When I was in the hostel in Wollongong the receptionist could see that I was a bit upset and she suddenly asked how I am and if she could do something for me... and even when I left she said she wishes me all the best and that everything is going to be fine (because I felt very homesick).
So I've already been in smaller hostels, where it is definitely easier to talk to people. In big hostels it's more anonymous and there are lots of families with small kids and Asians. Asians aren't very keen to talk to you. When they do, they look very emotionless and not interested... But I don't want to generalise that, I've also made other experiences! They can also be very friendly. But just saying. It could also be my fault, who knows.
There are these odd people who steal your food from the refrigerator. Imagine! You're a backpacker and you know how hard it is with the money and you go and steal food from others. That's such a no go. I can't believe it. But there are always these odd people. And a big rule everywhere in hostels is to clean your dishes by yourself. Drying them and putting them away is included. But some people don't get that... So at the end of the day the kitchen is often overloaded with dirty dishes. Which is very sad. But thats an inner attitude you have to have, you can't force these people to do it. Well, maybe there's a way to do it but whatever.
I enjoy seeing what other people cook. Some people always make a big meal while others are eating their toast. Some people are very healthy while others have their pizza every night.
In hostels there are lots of boys. I'm in the lounge and I'm the only girl! Either they're somewhere else (in their rooms or maybe in the bathroom putting on make up) or there just aren't that many.
How I feel, looking back
I remember my first day in Australia, taking the bus. It seemed so unreal to me. "Am I really here?" I asked myself. The days in school I didn't really realise what was going on. I mean, I realised that I'm alive but I didn't realise it that much that I am on
my own. Maybe because I was with my peers and they were all in the same situation as I was. When I was standing in front of the Sydney Opera House for the first time, I think I told you, I was crying. It was my dream as a small kid to go and visit it because of "Findet Nemo". And now I was here with my tiny 19 years, earned it all by myself. It was real. I felt so proud of myself. I was never scared, because I have money... and a working credit card. I never felt homesick during my English Cambridge course. Not the slightest bit. I can't exactly tell why... When I left my hostfamily and I was sitting in the abandoned hostel in Wollongong I started realising that I was all by myself, far from anyone known, family, friends... With the hostfamily I at least had someone holding my back. Someone with the word "family" in it. So I had to go outside and find friends! Which was not easy. I mean, how do you randomly start a conversation with strangers? I know it sounds weird to you, because this is actually my strength, takling to strangers. But when you're alone its even harder. So I went to a bar, bought myself a cider and looked around. There were these girls, all dressed up. I stood to them "Hi, how are you?" First they were very confused and it was sooooooo awkward but than we had a good talk for about 10 minutes, but than they left. So again... I plucked up my courage and did it again, and again, and again. And I can tell you, I
never made bad experiences with just starting a conversation, Sometimes the talks are boring, the people strange, than I just say "thank you" and leave. And go to the next interesting person. But if you don't try, you'll never know, right?
All these experiences, I don't want to miss them. Going through homesickness and being bored, they taught me how to escape from these situations without giving up. And I learned that it doesn't matter what you do, nothing is a waste of time. A waste of time doesn't exist. Probably thinking that a waste of time exists is a waste of time... Paradox. Whatever. In my opinion it doesn't exist. Because everything you do gives you experience and helps you with future decisions. Which brings me to the point where I am now.
Don't be afraid, or better, yes: be afraid! If you do it nevertheless, you'll see that there was no need of being afraid. But do it! Even if you're scared, no matter what it is. I was afraid of being alone, but I've found that you are never alone... there's always someone to talk to. And it is not that difficult. Acutally I really enjoy being by myself. I can do whatever I want.
I look forward on seeing where my path goes the next few months, towards what it leads me. And I look forward on telling you.
