I think that halfway is a good time to reflect a little. Sometimes I feel like I’m just narrating the parts of the day without writing much of myself and my thoughts into the picture. This won’t really correct that entirely, because the audience here is pretty wide, wider than is appropriate for deep intimate reflection, at least. But I’d like to at least put some of my thoughts down as I flip past the 30-day mark.
The highlights so far:
- By far the most exciting and unexpected moment of the trip was seeing the Southern Lights. I didn’t even know they existed (!).
- Seeing a technically extinct bird (Cassowary), since there supposedly isn’t enough genetic diversity to breed much longer
- Summiting Ben Lomond after turning back twice in the high winds (my pictures will show my excitement)
- 2 Sunsets: in Port Douglas last Friday, followed by Sunset after hiking at Abel Tasman.
- 1 Sunrise: arriving in Sydney.
- Seeing Eli and Jasmine.
- Diving on the Barrier Reef.
I’ve met a lot of interesting people, but this trip is decidedly different and less exhilirating than the one I took around Europe 3 years ago. Maybe that’s because I’m 3 years older. Maybe it’s because I know a lot more about myself than I did then– I certainly don’t feel the need to explore my own personality and experiment with different situations the way I did then. I love traveling alone because of all the interesting things that can’t happen as easily when you’re with other people. Still, this trip wouldn’t have suffered any from having someone else along. Maybe I just don’t find British 18-21’s (by FAR the largest crowd on the backpacker scene here) as interesting, in general, as the diverse crowd I found in Europe. They tend to herd more than others, and that’s really not much fun to be around. But of course there are big exceptions, even in that demographic. I’m sick of hearing people complain about the USA and our government. I don’t dispute a lot of what’s to be said, but it’s still old.
Interesting bit: I appreciate Pittsburgh more and more, but I don’t really miss it. I just miss my friends and my girlfriend (Hi Jess). Pittsburgh will always be there, or so it feels. I don’t miss work even for one second. Is that really surprising? I am sure that I’ll be ready for school, though… I’m already feeling substantially recharged. Give it another month or two and I’ll be chomping at the bit to do something meaningful. Maybe. 
So I’m halfway done and I only have 4 places left to go: Cairns, Whitsundays, Fraser Island, and Byron Bay (and back to Sydney). The weather down the coast is definitely getting chillier, but hopefully it will stay warm enough.
Shop here is closing, so I will call it a good night.
30 days to go.