DEBRIEFING, REFLECTION

Twelve months ago, I was storing up on vitamins and sun, selecting the absolute minimum amount of clothes (40kg) to take with me which would fit in my suitcase, getting ready to jump into the European winter.

Today I feel more light-hearted, thinking that in a few days I’ll be slapped by the Australian sun again. Even though I’ve decided to not tan this year, firstly because I’m white as paper and it’s going to take too much effort to work up a good tan, secondly because I’m concerned about the harsh sun’s effects.

I’m happy to say, on the plane back I’ll be taking a 30kg suitcase, an 8kg backpack, my laptop bag and nothing else! I gave some of my heavy things to my parents when they came to visit in August and I’ve sent by post a 6kg box, but everything else I’m managing to take back :)

Leaving Grenoble wasn’t too sad. We had a big (100+ people) party at our apartment the night before I left, which was a total mess and I don’t envy my housemates which had to clean up the following day, after I escaped on the train for Milan, sharing the trip with a good friend. It was really nice that people came to say bye and that I had company on the last night. In the end I must say that I mostly enjoyed my friendships with a few Italians during my stay there, which unfortunately affected my French amelioration. As for the exams that I sat (the last one being right on my last day in Grenoble), they went very well, in fact I stupidly studied too much for them.

The train trip to Milan (5.5 hrs) was long but crossing the snowy Alps was really beautiful, and I began to say bye to the cold weather. I only had a couple of days to say bye to Milan, which was much much harder. The last night was classically spent out until past 6am, as a proper Milanese goodbye should be. The big post-Christmas sales were on of course, and I took advantage getting a couple of presents in the centre shops, which were literally filled with shoppers. Apparently from yesterday there is a 5 euro tax to drive into the Milan centre area (for non-gas cars), which is huge! Normally 90,000 cars drive into the centre daily. I imagine that’s going to cause considerable uproar, but honestly the traffic and pollution are getting quite dangerous so I guess it’s a good reform.

So after Milan I took another train to Conegliano, where I’m saying bye to my grandparents and a few family friends. I only have 3 days and Thursday the 19th I’m leaving Venice for Dubai, landing in Perth on the afternoon of the 20th. Nonna Gina is very sad... so she’s making sure to fill me up with food before I leave... so much so that last night I dreamt that I was on some Australian beach having the longest run of my life!

I’m looking forward to being active outdoors again. I’m also looking forward to going back to work in my parents’ gelato cafe, spending some time with them, drinking free coffee and selling ice-cream, which makes everyone happy :) Also I’ll have to find a house for Perth, I’ve started looking a bit online and I’ve found a flat on mounts bay road which is super close to uni, but it’s hard not being able to visit it and decide definitely!

HOW HAS THIS YEAR BEEN?
This year... has brought me back closer to my roots, has deepened my self-knowledge, has increased my self-confidence and independence, has made me more sure that I can solve unexpected difficulties, has opened my eyes to avoid excluding any possibility in the domains of friendships, love, travels, study and jobs. I’ve done things I didn’t think myself capable of. I’ve learnt a couple of crucial things about relationships. I’ve found myself 3 houses in 3 countries, and lived with 8 different housemates (if you don’t count my grandparents eheheh). I’ve discovered Couchsurfing and co-voiturage as cheaper ways of travelling. I’ve done I think 48 train trips and taken 18 planes. I’ve faced having to sleep in a train station, and missing a flight because of strikes. I lived in cities with two of the highest crime rates in Europe, and got nothing stolen. I’ve yelled and sworn at unfair bouncers. I’ve gotten a lot better at dancing salsa & bachata, and got to know more Latin music. I’ve spent a lot of time near mountains, which I don’t get to in Australia. I’ve managed to take extra weight on budget airlines! I’ve eaten in a wide variety of great restaurants (Spanish, German, Austrian, Italian, Greek, Argentinean, Eritrean, Peruvian, Colombian, French, Japanese, Chinese, Moroccan, New Fusion..!). I’ve done a cruise. I’ve improved three languages.

I’ve had a lot of fun... and I know I want to do this again (Central-South America in 2013), but the experience has also convinced me that it is time I return to Australia and settle down, at least for 12 months. ;) Although I haven’t terribly missed Australia, I’ve appreciated its singularities more by being away of course, and I’m happy to tell everyone I’d prefer a future (mostly) based there. I know I’ll be divided inside and I’ll have to make some compromises, but I value the quality of life down under, the people, the opportunities, the landscape. I feel myself closer to my parents after a year of being away from them.

So it’s definitely been a positive, learning year. It hasn’t felt like the stereotypical “Erasmus/exchange” experience – party every night, surrounded by drunk excited internationals who don’t pick up a book until exam week. It has included a lot of night life and talking to people from all parts of the planet, but has felt a lot like normal life as well. Situations that I know I won't come across in Perth (getting lost, planning a weekend get-away, sending postcards, speaking a foreign language etc) very quickly felt ordinary. Although just now looking over some of the year's photos... wow! :) I truly have some great memories.

Plans for the next few months...
1. Find a house in Perth
2. Make the most of the good weather with beach, bike and runs
3. Get back into Perth/UWA mode
4. Get back into Science mentality! (I've been studying subjects part of my Arts faculty this whole year)
5. Get back into the Perth salsa scene
6. Save money, possibly find a casual job in Perth.

The next trip to plan:
Central and South America, July 2013


Thankyou for reading... it's been a pleasure sharing some of my time with you :)
Ciao!!

Xmas and NYE

This is my 43rd blog post in 12 months.
My previous blog, which I'd kept three years ago during the three months I was in Europe, has 52 posts!

Truth is, this has felt less like an "advanture" than I'd imagined. I've done a lot more things, I've been more independent, but I guess I've also reached another level of maturity. But I'll keep reflections for the next, and last post.

What was a bit adventurous was dealing with the strikes in the French airports just during the week when I had to fly to Italy for Christmas. Seriously, THE NERVE of those people stopping THOUSANDS of travellers during the festive period... I hope their conscience is black and heavy as the black hole. Anyway, the night before I managed to leave it snowed a lot for the first time, and it was so beautiful to see everything white! Almost a shame to leave... I spent a sunny week in Conegliano with my grandparents, catching up with a couple of friends and studying a bit for exams. Christmas was extremely simple and a bit sad. It's weird actually how sunny and nice-weathered was December and is January too, in Northern Italy and even here in France. Hey, not complaining.

I then spent a week in beloved Milan, continuing my 3-week search for the perfect NYE shoes - which I ended up getting at the Rinascente, and God let me enjoy those expensive shoes until I die! But they are gorgeous :) I also relaxed going to the cinemas a few times, ate very well, and said hi to the Milanese night life I'll dearly miss.

It was heard to return to France actually. It's a totally different environment.. I feel like a bit of an outsider, and worst than that, I haven't tried to change that feeling. But these four months have past even more quickly than the rest this year, and in a week's time I will have left Grenoble :/

Right now I'm spending a few intense days studying... averaging 11 hours a day :( I have one exam left on Thursday 12th... and my plane from Venice-Dubai-Perth on the 19th. I should also prepare a pack to send home with things that won't fit in my suitcase...! I also have to think about finding a house in Perth, otherwise I might sleep under the big bridge near UWA when I move up - just 1 month after I arrive! If anybody wants to start searching for me, please feel free! :s

Before I return to studying, may I add that hunger really makes me a good cook! I just had gnocchi with zucchine, red capsicum and tomato sauce... topped with a little French cheese, may I say it was delicious :)