It's the End of the World As We Know It

Well, dear readers, the last day of the Mayan calendar has come & gone. And we’re still here. Unless, of course, we were unknowingly transferred into an alternative reality and just don't know it… Either way, it's still nice.

Melbourne, Australia, is a city that has grown on me rather quickly. I’m not surprised by this, nor am I drawn to dissect my satisfaction here. On the most fundamental level, my basic needs are easily met, the sun is shining a lot of the time, and the opportunities for exploration continue to seem limitless.

Bridge over the Yarra River on my route to work. I make an effort to look over every time, as it always seems different. Mostly based on weather conditions.

When I say my needs are met, I mean, literally, the water from the tap is nice, the food is diverse and copious, and I have found a comfortable bedroom in a quaint little house in which to reside.
Food markets are plentiful.

Vic Market in the CBD. Not my market of choice, but fascinating for its size.

They vary in size and quality no doubt, but I’ve already found a handful that satisfy my needs. The organic food movement is present, but consistently more expensive. This is common in the States as well, but I think I’ve been more aware of it because there aren’t many basic natural food stores (think food co-ops, Whole Foods, etc.). The natural foods are found in specialty shops, or in my experience in their own sections of the big grocery stores. Therefore, the prices variations are all the more evident. More often, though, I’ve been trying to frequent the outdoor markets. This saves money as well as encourages a fresh food diet. And at least I then know from where the produce derives (which, for some people, is more important and potentially more sustainable). Anyway, I have ready access to fresh food, which I’m quite thankful for.

Veg Out Community Gardens in St Kilda (my neighborhood)

I’m also working full-time, which has been a welcome change. Two jobs, both as “barmaids.” The first is in my neighborhood bowling club. Lawn Bowls (think Bocci Ball) is a huge pastime in Australia, and a cool one too. Outside, barefoot, beers, friends, etc. And spans generations too, which I appreciate. There are clubs in every neighborhood, but I think I lucked out in my endeavors (thanks to some friends) because it’s a very laid back place. Actually, my boss is also my flatmate, which has worked out amazingly well. I live very close to work (just a short bike ride through Albert Park) and also near the beach, which is sweet. It’s funny because Melbourne is not known for its beaches, but for a life-long inland dweller such as myself, they more than satisfy. I also work at this cool beer bar in Richmond. Live music, lots of local beers on tap, laid back but busy, and friendly co-workers. I will say, however, I have found that most Australians (as I was warned) are crazy friendly. Very welcoming, cordial, and pleasant. There’s been a good exchange of culture with some of the older gentlemen at the bowls club. I won’t lie: it initially made me feel strange how much more some of them know about the United States than I know about Australia. Admittedly, I felt some level of guilt. However, it only proves to illustrate how prominent the United States is in the world, especially concerning terms of foreign policy and export of goods & culture. Naturally, the United States influences Australia more than is reciprocated. So, now I’ve been on a quest to learn as much as I can.

Famous Luna Park, celebrating 100 years of existence. I got a free wristband for the rides on their birthday. Without having been on a rollercoaster in probably 10 years, I wasn't sure how my body would respond... I giggled like a 10-year-old.

Anyway, working in bars is fun. And admittedly, exhausting! I’ve met lots of very interesting people. And it helps me learn the accent better, which, believe it or not, is sometimes like a foreign language. So, they serve beer in pints, like in the United States. But most people, when they don’t specify, actually just want a “pot,” which is like a half-pint in the US. But regardless, in a loud bar with lots of distractions, the difference in sound between pot and pint (with an Australian accent) is negligible. And I’ll get stopped pouring halfway because they notice I’m using the wrong size. I feel like I pour more beers from a pot to a pint & vice-versa than I do from the tap itself! Also, they’re really funny with some of the things they say. Naturally, they have a number of expressions that are regionally unique (indeed, that could comprise another entire entry). However, I really like the genuine enthusiasm they seem to have for communication. Most people in greeting each other also inquire as to the other person’s state. From counter staff, to check out clerks, to librarians, to quick conversations on the phone, people will still say Hi or G’day and How are you going? It’s nice. Something I also like is the use of exaggerated appreciation. I mean, I use “awesome” probably more than it’s warranted. Not everything I deem awesome actually puts me in awe. However, some Australians (blokes, especially) will take it to the next level. “Here’s your beer.” “Ah, amazing, thank you.” Or “I’ll put it on your tab.” “Magic! Thanks.” Or "beauty" or “miracle” or “legendary,” which I think is my personal favorite.

Okay, well I think that’s enough for now. Hope you’re having fun too. And, Happy New Year!

Now this is what I call a bike path. Completely separated from auto traffic, and quite lovely.

Flinder Street Station in the CBD. Hub for all forms of transportation (bus, tram, train). I haven't explored the options much because I'm happy on my bike, but I imagine at some point I will. I can take day trips all over Victoria on the train! It's great.

Cultural Awareness

I was thinking a lot about this topic of late. There are many aspects of cultural awareness, and I aim to master them all. Or at least, to keep refining my ability to be open-minded and considerate when I am in a new place. Sometimes, this is quite easy, while other times it can be a bit more challenging.

For instance, I've just returned from Honolulu (located on the island of Oahu, FYI). This was a very different Hawaii from the one I met last year. In fact, during my visit I generally felt no connection to the Big Island, which is just 200 miles and a handful of islands South. Huge buildings and lights aplenty grace the skyline. It could have easily been so many other cities in the world.

Not a particularly great photo, but certainly was a cool spot

But for some reason, however, I maintain a romanticized image of Hawaii in my mind, and therefore, my attraction is sustained. I plan to revisit Hawaii as many times as possible in my life. However, the cultural differences of Honolulu (and specifically the tourist mecca, Waikiki) were undeniable. (Disclaimer: my short visit was limited to Honolulu alone, and therefore in no way illustrates the island of Oahu in its entirety.)

Balcony view made for a nice & breezy breakfast

I mostly wandered around on foot. I had a very pro-active and entertaining couchsurfing host, so I was also introduced to a number of other local pleasantries that I probably would not have sought otherwise. (One of which enabled the reassurance that I'm really not a big fan of snorkeling - another story altogether). But for the most part, I opted to meander alone. On my last day, I found myself moseying down Waikiki Beach. I figured I better at least take a glimpse at this famous landmark while I was there. It was conveniently located just a few blocks from where I was staying, and naturally, it provided some excellent people-watching.

Two very different families documenting similar experiences simultaneously

Such a diverse group of people that tour Hawaii, especially Honolulu. In the midst of my beach stroll, I happened upon a group of reclining beach chairs, all unoccupied, while the rest of the beach was speckled with sand dwellers. I think deep down I knew why they were unoccupied, but I couldn't resist stretching out in the sunshine. So, I removed my shoes and cozied up. Before I was able to even scan the horizon, a gentleman approached me. "Ma'am, how are you doing?" Ahh, of course. "Just fine, thanks," I replied, perhaps subconsciously in my best Texas accent. Certainly with a smile. "Well, these chairs are actually for rent," he said, pointing to all the empty recliners. "You mean I have to pay to sit here?" I asked. "Yeah," he smirked. "Not much is free is Waikiki." At least he was honest. "And how much does it cost to sit here?" I continued, still comfortably reclined. "Well, it's usually $40 a day, but we'll be closing down at 4:00, so we could do $25." It was 2:00. Paying $25 to sit in a chair for 2 hours was obviously out of the question. "So, can I sit in them for free after 4:00 then?" I questioned. No, of course, they lock up the chairs at that time. "Okay," I sighed, "I'll sit right next to it." And I rolled over to land on the sand a foot below. Not bad, really. Still a delightful spot no doubt, lacking only in back support. To be perfectly clear, I was not attempting irreverence (indeed if I was, I would have asked how much it cost to swim in the ocean). I was merely intrigued by the price alone, and not necessarily the concept. While I may not be the world's best capitalist, I do still want to be a good person. A thoughtful one, to boot.

And now I've arrived in Melbourne, Australia. Seems to be a wonderful place thus far, but obviously I have much more to learn. Admittedly, I was initially perturbed upon arrival into Sydney. I had to travel by bus from the international to the domestic terminal. I followed a litany of signs & arrows and eventually found the stop. However, upon boarding, I was shocked to learn of a charge for the transportation - five and a half dollars! I pleaded ignorance with the driver, who seemed genuinely sorry but equally unwavering. He sent me back into the airport to change currency. During the exchange, I expressed my astonishment to the conversion teller, who was delightfully friendly. "You should take the train," he said. "It's only $5." So, indeed I walked further down to the city train, purchased a ticket as if I was crossing town, and waited for it to take me one stop. Incredible.

I now realize this entry makes me sound terribly cheap, and perhaps the title of this post should instead be "Monetary Awareness." But that is certainly not my intention here. I understand that people pay for goods & services and alas, our society is sustained. But currently being without a consistent income, perhaps I am more aware about the cost of said goods & services and how I prioritize each one. (As well as how individual cities prioritize money for their local economies). I believe this greater awareness will serve me well in the future. I've never been a big spender, but certainly at times have made unnecessary or less sustainable purchases, without thinking twice. And while I also pride myself on spontaneity, sometimes it's good to think twice.

Anyway, I'm very excited to explore the subtle intricacies of being in a completely foreign place. Mostly, riding my bike in a huge city where they drive on the opposite side of the road is surprisingly exciting. A challenge in itself. But! For the first time in my adult life, I'm wearing a helmet. In a country with generous national healthcare, I risk getting slapped with a $150 fine otherwise. Fair enough.

G'day!

Here & There & Beyond

Well hello, dear reader. My sincerest apologies for the significant delay in publication. I have thought of you many times certainly. And while I have been doing many, many things, the internet has not comprised a substantial amount of my spare time. In fact, I don’t even have many photos to speak for my adventures. But I will share what I do have…

Canada, eh?

Vancouver! Boats! Busy-ness!

This guy was amazing. I can’t exactly put his style of music into words, but he was definitely feelin’ it. And recording a live music video to boot!

Wreck Beach - clothing optional & with a magnificent sunset

Photo shoots and hovercrafts on the beach

Homegrown veggies for a Lake Powell boat adventure

One day maybe I’ll also have a floating cabin on the water. Sure was nice…

Picturesque and serene (and you could drink water straight from the lake!)

My wonderful traveling comrade, Huckleberry Finn

Douglas Fir Trees at MacMillan Park! Whoaaaaa.

TEXAS on Vancouver Island!

Plenty of natural beauty along the Columbia Gorge (plus seven microbreweries!)

Have you ever seen a Redwood tree??

The Pacific Northwest continues to captivate me. I’ll be back here for sure.

Not many photos taken down the coast. But this one captures my experience nicely. Trees & bikes & sunshine & fun. [Impressive action shot by Tim Foley]

And then I went back to Austin! Mostly for the wedding of these lovely people:

[Photo by Bob Kinney]

But also to visit some other really wonderful people. In all my solo travels, not once have I felt lonely or bored with my time. That being said, I did frequently recognize the bounty of so many wonderful people and places in Austin that very much make it my home. I value that highly, and I look forward to my future experiences there. But for now, more adventures!

First, a trip to Florida to visit some of my delightful family. (Why does everyone have to be so far away from each other??) Then back to the Bay Area for just a few days before continuing my journey West. The flight to Australia is about 20 hours, but I have it broken up with a short layover in LA, then a few days in Honolulu, and eventually across the pond for a Thanksgiving Day arrival. Phew.

Wish me luck in getting a job soon after arrival.

With love and gratitude,

M

The desert is a strange place

And yesterday I left it. When I first arrived, I felt like I was going to be there forever. After having been on the move almost constantly, being in the same place for seven weeks sounded like a bit of a challenge. However, I love that place, and quickly adjusted to its familiar patterns. I can't believe it all happened so fast! And now, there are many more adventures ahead.

When I tell me people I'm going to work at Burning Man, that's not the most descriptive explanation of my time in the Black Rock Desert. As I've said many times before, most of my enjoyment stems from the times outside of event week. From building relationships with tons of fascinating people to working hard every day of the week and so many things in between, I find my experience there has been uniquely enjoyable every year thus far.

For the fourth time this year, I worked for the Yellow Bike Project. We maintain a fleet of bikes that is for community & shared use. Admittedly, Burning Man is not a highly sustainable event, so I am happy to work on a crew that encourages sustainable practices. That's not to say I am without blame. The amount of energy, resources, and money that goes into this event continues to blow my mind. And by participating in it at all, I am obligated to recognize the impact. That being said, we live in a society that is inherently wasteful and unsustainable. And therein we are given the opportunity to limit our environmental impact with the individual choices we make. Additionally, we are naturally drawn toward indulgence, and because I enjoy my time in the desert, I choose to continue the experience.

This year was particularly special for a number of reasons. However, as stated, each year provides an experience unlike any other. So, perhaps a few pictures will do better than words. Below lies basically the extent of my photos taken. For some reason, I rarely feel inspired to take photos out there. During the event, I think it's because there are so many sights that would make exceptional pictures. Perhaps the over-stimulation is crippling. Outside of the event, I feel like there are fewer opportunities for good photos but many more opportunities for great experiences, so I choose the latter. Sometimes photos can be distracting to raw experiences I think.

This is our annual bike ride. We have a small fleet of bikes built on the work ranch pre-season. The way we transport these bikes is by assembling a group of folks and riding them through the beautiful terrain that is the Black Rock Desert.

This is what 1100 reclaimed bikes looks like. Only a portion of what we collected as lots of people either leave their trashed bikes behind or have their bikes stolen during the event and then neglected afterwards. It's a bit of a nuisance, but is part of our job to collect them after the event. We return as many as possible, but most are donated.

I finally built myself a tall bike! (with a lot of help of course)

It's always a beautiful day for a bike ride in the desert.

Art Cars are everywhere, but this was one of the better ones for sure. Plus, it didn't blast obnoxious techno music.

This is the site where the Man burned, the namesake event on Saturday night. The fire keeps smoldering for days. The burn barrels were brought over to consolidate the ash. Because Burning Man is Leave-No-Trace, every bit of ash and wood chip must be collected and properly discarded.

Sunset bike ride, post-event. I do like it when all the people have gone away.

Collexodus is a station near the exit where participants can drop any unwanted items to lighten their loads on the way home. The DPW gladly accepts their donations.

This is the "reject" pile of booze... We get lots of donations :)

And now, I'm on the road again. Nice bike ride through Eugene, Oregon, today, then on to Seattle, and later to Vancouver. It's funny that thing about adapting to transitions. I already feel back in the spirit of travel again! 

Didn't even know Newell, California, existed until I drove through it! (Notice my spontaneous park job.)

A lesson in spontaneity

Central Park, Davis CA

Last Friday (wow - already a week ago!) I enjoyed a day that was completely & wholly unplanned. Had been more rare of late, as my time limitation became more evident. It manifested into one of the best days yet.

I woke up unexpectedly early in Davis, California. And decided to stay awake and drive to Lake Tahoe. It's only about two hours away. While the South parts of the lake are traditionally more oriented toward visitors, the North side of the lake was more on my route. I pulled into Tahoe City, and passed a river boat tour service. After quick consideration, I decided to indulge myself. (I have not been treating myself to any expensive things, and I'm about to receive income again!) The guy at the shop told me theirs was rather relaxing and self-guided, to which I told him I wanted something a bit more exciting. So, he directed me up the hill to the whitewater rafting company. As soon as I walked in, I met a nice dog and two nice ladies, and next thing I knew, I was signed up for that afternoon's trip! Well, not actually obliged to go, which helped sustain my plan-less day. It was quite perfect actually. I still had plenty of time to check out the lake.

I parked here and went down for a hike. Somehow didn't see this sign until I returned.

I took a nice drive down the West side of the lake, and even saw a golden brown bear playing on the side of the road. Well, it probably wasn't playing, but their bodies are so large and fluffy, it always suggests a sort of oafishness. Eventually, I pulled onto a smaller road that was mostly residential, but there was one small section between these two houses where you could walk onto the lake.

Once I reached the lake, however, there were signs on either side of me about 13 feet apart, instructing that the areas beyond them were strictly private. Well, at least I had my 13 foot beach all to myself. So, I made a little picnic, and enjoyed the view. It was not as serene as I expected, as there was much activity on the lake. Can't say I wasn't jealous of the boaters however. Eventually, the enduring strength of the private lands warnings sent me on my way.

I really wanted to take this on a ride, but that would have meant trespassing and theft

However, I found another quiet beach. I was very glad this was still possible in this remarkably touristic area. Of all the natural places I've visited, I've much preferred the ones where I can still find places of solitude.

Finally, I made my way back to the river rafting. I hadn't hung out with so many families at any point on this trip. And three of the other families on the trip were from Texas! I was in a boat with some Houstonians. Very interesting folk. Jewelers, they were. And our guide, Chris, told a story of another Houstonian he had a few years back. They were floating down the river and spotted a deer. The older gentleman asked, allegedly in all seriousness, "At what elevation do deer turn into antelope?" I refuse to believe he was serious, but Chris said he never expressed that he was joking. And consequently, didn't exactly know how to answer... Some people are just out of touch I guess. Anyway, we had a nice ride down, enjoyed some good rapids, and I felt like my indulgence was totally worth it.

However, after the ride, we all returned to the office. And I guess I took a minute in the van because when I returned inside to provide a tip to Chris, all the families were gone and the bottle of Maker's Mark had been revealed. "Do you want some?" he asked. And well, that's kind of the end of the story. Before I knew it, I had canceled my plans of driving to Reno that night, and instead had agreed to hang out for the night. There was a local music festival to which we could gain free entry, and the company already seemed exceptionally fun. River tour guides, you know. Real dude-like, pretty hilarious, totally easy going. They also provided a number of other provisions for fun, plus it's a small town, so they all seemed to know each other. I must have met 40 people that night. Really interesting people for sure. Many of them living these seasonal lives. There for the summer, but not for the winter. It was funny too because I didn't actually know anyone, and was just that girl who went on the tour and then kept hanging out. It sounds weird now that I write it down, but it seemed to make sense at the time. It was a memorable night for sure.

Well, I've been gone almost exactly one month. The relative nature of time passing is very interesting. I feel like I've done an exceptional amount of stuff. But I simultaneously feel like the time has flown by. I'm enjoying myself certainly. And now I'm back to work. I will say that living freely was pretty grand. But perhaps having a regimen again will be good. You know, work all day and then truly appreciate the time you have to yourself. It's more valuable I guess. Or, valued.

And that's my lesson in spontaneity. When approached with optimism & enthusiasm, being spontaneous can be a real treat. I encourage you to find an opportunity to do something that was otherwise unplanned and see how it turns out. It can be big or small. Long or short. Meaningful or whimsical. But I guess what I'm really trying to say is: have fun!

Lucchesi Park, Petaluma CA

Love you all.
M

A disclaimer & A dedication

Okay. Admittedly I’ve already started to feel weird about keeping this web log alive. It just seems egocentric sometimes. Like, what is it providing to the greater good? But here’s the thing: it’s a really great reason to write. I have to keep writing all the time if I want to keep writing, you know? Plus I’ve received positive feedback and I really appreciate that. Thanks for joining me.

Lava Tube outside Flagstaff. It goes about a mile in & is about 34ºF. I'm overcoming mild claustrophobia!

Anyway. The van & I survived the Mojave Desert… just barely. Not impressively, it would have been all my fault if we didn't. {For those interested, scroll down for condensed version of the story.}

[LONG VERSION]:

The van ran dangerously low on oil to due a miscommunication I had with the engine. After seemingly rebounding from the shortage, the journey away from the desert proved exhausting, for the van & myself. She began sputtering, idly loudly, and showing overall weaker performance. I was feeling exceptionally nervous about what could be happening (certainly the greatest level of stress I've had since hitting the road). I just wanted to make it to my next stop, Bakersfield, CA. However, the increasingly threatening behavior demanded I stop in the very next town I entered. Tehachapi, California. Not much here it seemed, but I scrambled to find something. Anything..! AUTO SHOP, a big sign announced, five parking lots away. I moseyed inside and asked for assistance with my van. After a brief description of the symptoms (plus an interruption from the clerk’s dad & owner of the shop about birthday cookies), Cliff walked outside with me and immediately sprung to action. Lubricating aplenty. And another, older gentleman even walked over to lend a word. [I was thinking a small town would be a better place to stop – less competition at the auto shop. Or in this case, none at all.] “Just be glad it’s not a Ford,” the second man quipped. He chuckled lightly, though I couldn’t quite relate to his mechanic’s sense of humor. After a number of starts and restarts, the snarly noise had subsided, and the engine was sounding just like old times. I nearly hugged Cliff! But instead, he suggested we pull the whole doghouse cover off and get a better look. Although I already knew the cause of the oil leak, I allowed his generous assistance. A little peace of mind never hurts. Meanwhile, I asked the other guy, “How do you pronounce the name of this town?” “Ta-HATCH-upee,” he grinned. I paid for the motor oil, tipped the two gentlemen, and thanked them sincerely. I was rolling again, and super duper happy about it! For a minute there, I was pretty sure I had scorched my engine and would need to find alternative transportation options. But, every experience provides for a learning opportunity. I was just glad I garnered both knowledge & success. I talked to the van more times on that day than any other.

[SHORT VERSION:]

The van nearly died, but has persevered confidently. The experience has strengthened our relationship.

Sometimes in yoga practice, the instructor suggests you choose someone to which you will dedicate that day’s practice. This web log entry is comparably dedicated to nirVANa. I’ve grown to love her.

_____________________________________________________________________________

The Mojave National Preserve is really cool! Plenty of diversity (mountainous, flat, dry, cold, woodsy, barren, & lots in between), a bit of history (the Kelso Depot and accompanying rail line served of big importance in WWII & the Union Pacific railway), and not many people around (surprisingly, considering it's free to enter & free to camp roadside). I recommend it.

Fringe-toed Lizard

Kelso Sand Dunes (forefront) - up to 600+ feet tall and quite majestic.

I hiked to the top, and it was very windy. But made it just in time for sunset.

It was great watching the colors of the dunes change as the sun faded out. Also, it was cool watching the composition of the dunes changed as I walked over them. Always in a constant state of change.

Joshua Trees are pretty cool. Dr Seussical.

Largest expanse of Joshua Trees in the world As far as the eye can see. The conditions for optimal growth are found on the Cima Dome in Mojave. I look silly, I know.

Anyway, made our way into the Bay Area and have been enjoying a number of attractions, friends, cool spots, new terrain, and plenty of considerations along the way. There's a lot to say about this area, but better to just experience it I think. However, I will give a shout out to Rainbow Food Coop, a worker-owned grocery store in San Francisco. You can buy almost anything in bulk, from the obvious nuts & grains, to seaweed, to tortilla chips, to sauerkraut, to cookies, to the largest collection of bulk herbs I've ever seen. I love co-ops! Plus, while I was shopping, there was a page for "Marisa, line 3." Hah. It'd been a while.

View from my parking spot. It was nice & quiet up here.

I rode all around San Francisco yesterday, including the perimeter of Lake Merced. It is a hilly & windy city for biking! I need more training I think.

And starting next weekend, I’ll be in the Black Rock Desert. Just a couple good stops along the way. I’ve managed to stay in almost every place I’ve stopped longer than anticipated. I’m glad I have the freedom to actively change my plans, as it happens frequently.

desert tortoise

Onward.




{As a postscript & for future reference, note that all words in color are links to further information... I respect people who are less tech-saavy like myself}