When I arrived in Australia for the first time in 18 months, I noticed a lot of things, the first being that Australian people are so friendly and easy-going! I was greeted with warm smiles everywhere I went. Even popping down to the supermarket was a delight! Every time I passed through the checkout, I found myself in the middle of a conversation, which would last right to the end of the transaction and finish with ‘Have a great day’. I had never realised that this relaxed attitude was a distinct part of our culture.
The next thing I noticed as I stepped foot onto Australian land was the smell of the air and the sound of the birds. It was all so fresh and light. So familiar. It was home. The deafening sounds of the cicadas in Summer; the smell of eucalypts along the river; strong sunshine that burns quickly; sandy beaches and endless ocean views; broad accents and smiles. All of these little things make up home.
As the trip progressed, I started to notice other familiarities, such as the Aussie lingo and all the shortened words that form our own unique language. Can you have a squiz at this before we shoot off? Do you wanna swing by this arvo for a cuppa? Just chuck a Ue-y, she’ll be right! These words are so caught up in our everyday speech that we hardly notice them. Every language has its own special quirks. That is just the way it works in Australia.
It was nice to travel on long, open roads again, through rolling green countryside, amongst gum forests and along the coast, where I could look out over the ocean and breath in the salty sea breeze. It was fun to roll the windows down and let the fresh air blast my face as the music pumped loudly on the stereo. It was nice to wander around in bare feet and feel the sand between the toes and the earth solid underfoot.
But what I had really missed was the food! Fresh mangoes and raspberries for breakfast, avocado on toast, endless supplies of Vegemite in the supermarkets, Tim Tams, Cherry Ripe chocolate bars, lamingtons, meat pies and tomato sauce, fish and chips at the beach, fresh sea food, barbecues in the back yard, cherry tomatoes ripe off the bush. The list goes on!
My little home corner in Australia really is a precious pocket of sunshine and magic. And now, as I wake up to dark mornings and cold German winters, the memories are covered in an extra-surreal golden glow. How on earth can Europe compete? Well…I am here for many reasons. And whilst this grey, dark Winter weather sometimes makes it hard to remember why, I am still extremely appreciative of the opportunity to work and travel around the European continent, full of history, culture, style and traditions. The world is such a big place that I must make the most of it. Nonetheless, I will be home again sometime soon and I’m looking forward to it already!
What do you love about your homeland?
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So are we! Looking forward to your next visit, that is!!! It was such a lovely three weeks and so good to see you! We love so much about our homeland – its wide open spaces, its incredibly special wildlife and birds, its wonderful National Parks and golden sandy beaches, its ancient geology and long indigenous history and rock art and relaxed friendly people!
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It was lovely to see you too and can’t wait until next time already 🙂 xox
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I have not been to Australia yet, but I like this country because it had no wars on its territory unlike Europe.
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Australia generally is a very peaceful place and the people are very relaxed and easy going 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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Wow it sounds exactly like my kind of place, Jenny! I love the hospitality, kindness and our cuisine from my homeland, Nepal. And also the mountains that surround you everywhere.
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I can’t wait to visit Nepal one day too! It sounds like a beautiful place 🙂
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Same here.The first time I visited Melbourne, I hardly understand that Aussie slang that leads me to search for it and it takes me time to cope up. Australia is one of the best places to visit and I love it. I haven’t tried to visit New South Wales, maybe for my next visit. But let back to the reality that we need a visa when visiting Australia. just in case you need an Australian travel Visa, I suggest you apply it here https://www.migrationexpert.com.au/. Very fast and easy, just make sure you’ve compiled all the requirements. Anyhow, I will look forward to more of your travel. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for the Aussie visa link for those visiting Australia. Luckily for me, I am Australian, so I get to go back any time I choose ❤️ I wonder where you will go next time you visit Australia! I would highly recommend Broome if you haven’t been up that way already 🙂
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Australia is such a beautiful and unique country. I love Australia for some of the same reasons that you mentioned in the post. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for your comment! Have you been there before?
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Cheers to this!!. Australia is such a beautiful country to visit. Almost everything is rising. From infrastructure to a thousand of jobs and even in tourism. It is not a perfect country as everyone always thought but despite its imperfection, it captures everyone’s heart to make it fall in love even from afar. Anyhow, Aussie lingo is not that hard to learn. LOL. Looking forward to more of this.
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Lol yes, Aussie lingo catches on pretty easily! Glad you enjoyed the post! Australia does seem to have some kind of charm that keeps pulling you back there 😍
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I know the feeling Jen – every time I get back to Aussie I wonder what on earth we’re doing living in Hong Kong! I especially love the luminous quality of the light, the incredible blue skies (especially after the grey of Europe) and the glorious techni-colours of flowering plants. And the food of course, especially the fruit and veg!
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