Reentry and leaving again

Anxious to get home  and anxious to leave.  What a paradox.  As anxious as I was to leave Europe I was not sure how I would react to being back in the states.  I kept thinking,  "what if I can't remember how to drive?" No problem there, just couldn't figure out how to use my debit card.  After using only cash with the occasional credit card I kept messing up, either swiping the wrong card, entering the wrong pin or something stupid like that.  Costco felt overwhelming and even going to the grocery store with Lauren felt weird.  However,  I adjusted quickly to the comfy bed, my pillow, having plenty of ice, bottomless iced tea at restaurants and going out to brunch for some southern food.  It was nice to spend some time with Lauren and Josh, nice to spend time with Kona.  Good to talk to a few people on the phone instead of email or texting.  Not sure if I would have been as anxious to get to Australia if I had been in Blacksburg and back into my regular routine, but I found by Wednesday I was ready to get to Australia and start out next adventure.

I did have a few nice surprises while back; Lauren, Josh and Rick gave me my early Christmas gift, a new lens for my camera.  I had hoped to get back to the Duke Gardens and take some comparison photos, but did not have time.  I did take a few around their house, which I will share in this post.
Nick announced that he and Amanda are engaged and we are thrilled.  He asked her while hiking in the Alps and then sat on the news until we could talk on the phone.  We are looking forward to spending some time with them in Hawaii and getting more details.

Stella 

The new chickens

Lauren and Josh's new home

Walk in the neighborhood,  playing around with settings

Kona of course

On Thursday we left to travel to Australia, flying United from RDU to SFO non stop, then a 11 hour layover.  We decided it would be better to get a hotel room and rest for the day instead of going into Frisco to tour or sit inside the lounge all day.  What a good decision.  We were able to take a walk, eat lunch, nap, shower,  etc before heading back to the airport.  Our flight to Brisbane was on Air New Zealand via Auckland.  I will have to say we were both very impressed with Air New Zealand.  Although we were in regular economy for the leg from SFO to Auckland, we were fairly comfortable, had a nice meal with free wine, lots of programs to choose from on the large seat back screen, friendly flight attendants, clean bathrooms, clean plane.  We both were able to sleep several hours.  The Auckland airport was impressive as well as the Air New Zealand lounge.  Then we got on our flight Brisbane and for whatever reason we are now in Premium Economy.  I really can't describe it, almost like business class, but without the seats that turn into beds.  Rick told me that we will be in the same cabin for both our return to Auckland and our 8 hour flight to Hawaii.  Yippee!

So after 21 hours of actual flight time and 13 − 14 hours of layover we arrived Brisbane.  Yes, it summer here!  Our apartment is roomy, well furnished with comfy beds.  I have my own washer and dryer, we have 2 tvs, and a fridge that has ice cube trays that you flip and the ice fall into a container. So almost like an ice maker. University of Queensland is a beautiful campus, with many walking trails.  We are a 5 − 10 min walk from an area that has an IGA grocery store and several restaurants.  We can get on the water bus and be downtown in about 20 minutes or so.  Going to the grocery store is so much easier, but still have to work with that darn metric system! Food prices are definitely more then in Slovenia, even with the exchange rate.  Could be the local store is pricey since it is in a high end neighborhood.

Jet lag is still an issue.  Going to bed way too early, then waking up at midnight starving.  Last night I woke up because I could hear helicopters flying back and forth over the university.  Not sure what that was about, but since the G20 summit is here in 2 weeks we have been told that security is beefed up and training exercises are taking place at odd times.  I would assume it was related to that. Once I was awake, I decided it was time for a bowl of cereal!!  Queensland does not observe DST, so the sun rises around 5am and sets at 6PM.  We are waking up early, which is a good time to exercise.  Speaking of exercise, we are amazed at the number of people either running, cycling, rowing, playing cricket, swimming etc first thing in the morning. People here seem very active.

On Sunday we went downtown for the first time.  Looks like there will be plenty to keep me busy over the next month. I won't go downtown every day, but I am making a list of things I want to see and do. Today is the Melbourne Cup, which I understand the entire country stops to watch the race.  We will see....So I am off to go downtown.  Rick is participating in a retreat for the tourism faculty and they are taking a Melbourne Cup break so I am joining them to watch the race. Later we have a dinner with the group, so I will have few hours to explore on my own.

So although the language and food is familiar, I am still in a foreign country. I have to keep reminding myself to look right when crossing the street and walk on the left hand side of the sidewalks.  I can walk outside and across the street they are either playing or practicing cricket.  Birds are everywhere including the lorikeet and the wild bush turkey.  I am excited to get out and take photographs and share on the blog.  I see this week as kind of a down week, just resting and working on a few things for New Zealand.  Europe was so busy as well as the few days home that having time to do nothing is nice.