Culture shock called Australia

It was an early morning rise, a trip to quarantine with a locally made mat and crafts, a few hours hanging out at Bonriki International airport and I was on one of the twice weekly flights to Fiji for a slow release to Western culture. 

Leaving Tarawa - she's a thin slither 

This trip off Tarawa, an atoll bobbing away in the middle of the Pacific ocean had been filled with excitement, anticipation and some trepidation. Having spent the last 9 months living a laid back village life just meters from the ocean with pigs, chooks and locals for neighbours I had been wondering how I was going to fit back into a fast paced city life in Australia. Fears of looking like a middle aged feral islander woman ogling at shop windows filled with the latest 5 minute fashions,  stuff that most of us don’t need and knowing the difference between a soy double shot cappuccino and an afforgato may not have been keeping me awake at night but certainly had me had me wondering if dropping back into western civilisation was going to knock my socks off.

I am very happy to report I survived and come back home happy and refreshed after spending time with my family and dear friends.

(A big thank you to the person who said I looked 10 years younger, that complement feels more real than the blind person that thought I was 35 years of age ! )

There are some lovely and interesting people here, locals and I-matangs like me passing though for a year or two, but there is nothing like the unspoken conversation and time spent with people that know you, that shared history of experiences, loves, losses, joys and laughter that takes years to shape.

First stop was a gentle awakening of the senses in Fiji. 
Treats abound, markets brimming with more that 2 fruits and 3 veggies as available on Tarawa, Indian delights to taste, smell, admire and barter and every level of accommodation had hot showers ! 

Meeting up with family members and tagging along on the tourist trails was delightful.

I doubt that Captain Cook ate as well as we did on the named cruise or those who undertook  tribal killings where I was standing over looking the Sigatoka valley ever wondered if the world was flat. 
I reckon my house is 18 inches above sea level at high tide and with the highest point on Tarawa (aptly known as Mount Tarawa) standing  2-3 meters above sea level I stood and marvelled at this mountainous view. There was distances, ups, downs, valleys, wind turbines, roofs and locals cantering their horses bare back laden with market goodies. It was marvellous, like looking down at a forgotten world that was born on the day height was up for grabs. 

  
Could be anywhere but it is on a hill in Fiji !
  

 My legs were taking me to the supermarket and my hands gathering all (well some) of the things that would be must haves back here in Kiribati. Roti bread, a veggie peeler that may work, matching coffee cups, stemmed glasses, and look how cheap they are……………It reminded me of the day  in Tarawa when I decided I’d waited long enough for the dream of drinking wine out of a stemmed glass, 4 dry months had been  long enough the old glass tumbler was fine. I put the stemmed glasses back on the shelf.

Travelling sole

 

In Australia I had my toe nails painted, a haircut, filled my belly with wonderful food and bubbly and felt right at home at the new “in” eating/home/life emporium in Sydney that is so cool it just has a doorway with no signage (had to have 2 visits and was ready to move in).

Sydney, such beauty

 

21 days off an atoll was wonderful, a visit to the Qantas lounge in Sydney before departure was my last luxury and my 31 kilos of luggage made it back all intact. I have dried fruit for a Christmas cake, enough nuts to set up a pot holed road side stall, pickled ginger and udon noodles so I can make my own sushi train and “fruit chocs”, a South Australian childhood favourite to feed my inner brat.

Second day back it was onto the bus of smiling faces and mad music, it didn’t take long and I too was smiling knowing this really is the place to be right now. On arriving to work I was greeted by children running, calling my name and climbing all over me, such joy and delight (and hopefully no head lice !). 

I sit here at Ocean View with the seas lapping nearby, look at another 4 legs that has taking up residence, eat more tuna and take joy in the breeze and warmth that fills the days and evenings.

Dipping my toes back into Western life was wonderful and I have much appreciation to the care and nurturing I received but I am happy to be here and feel ready for more delights and challenges from woop woop.

Through my door way at Ocean View (about 22 feet away at high tide!)

Up next : Not sure !