Faraway, So Close

Yes, we have made it back to Saskatoon. It feels very wierd to be back home after being gone for a month. On the one hand, everything feels different... but then if I blink, it feels like we never left and Australia was all a dream.

Jet lag is starting to become an issue as I woke up last night at 3am and couldn't fall back asleep. Byron Bay is 16 hours ahead of us so it can really mess with your head when you think too hard about it.

There's so many different experiences that it's hard to relate any of it very well here. It was an amazing time spent getting to know Sue's family (her sister and brother-in-law live in Byron Bay, Australia which is why we all went). We got to see all things Australian: koalas, kanagaroos, beautiful beaches that go forever, surfing and boogie boarding in the ocean, dolphins, Sydney, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Foster's Lager, dingos, platypus, rain forest. We didn't get out to Uluru (the rock formerly known as Ayer's Rock, now known by it's proper Aboriginal name) because it's a long, long way out and in the middle of nowhere.

The best part of the trip was to get to know Chris & Lorinda (Sue's sister and brother-in-law) in their life in Byron. We saw where they live, where they work and got to meet their friends and the places they go for fun. They have an awesome church (nevermind the cheesy website) that puts a lot of North American churches to shame with how giving and caring it is for the community it lives in.

I read lots of good books, most of which were supplied by Troy, but I also picked up a book by Bill Bryson (In a Sunburned Country) and I think he is fast becoming one of my favorite authors - at least in the quick 'n easy read category. It was a good primer on Australia and I finished most of it before we even landed.

I could very easily go back and live there, if called to. But I know we're not meant to be there (right now anyway). It's probably for the best, since death lurks around every corner in Australia in the form of deadly snakes and spiders. Not that we saw anything deadly while we were there - but I'm sure they were around, they probably just don't go for tourists so as to not scare them away.

Lots more to say - but some experiences are better related in person than on a blog. Pictures are here for those that like pictures.