In the land down under.

How you going?

I'm starting to pick up on this Aussie lingo.

I've now been here for two full weeks! I've been spending my days exploring Sydney: going to Bondi Beach, cycling the busy streets of Newtown, discovering community gardens, finding and volunteering at the Alfalfa Food Co-operative, joining a great yoga studio, doing work trades at the vegan cafe that is in the yoga studio, cycling around the botanical gardens, gathering and leafing through many books from the public library, and following the bicycle paths on my "push bike" (as they call bicycles here).

Though speaking of my bike, it took a little while for me to be comfortable taking Poppy out in this city. I've never been quite so intimidated with riding my bicycle in a city. Maybe it was the warnings people gave me about Sydneysiders driving recklessly, or about how Sydney isn't as bicycle oriented as alot of other cities. I think it was just the apprehension around riding my bicycle on the left side of the road!

But alas, of course I jumped on, after getting a glimpse into the fears of those people who say "It's too scary to ride a bike in a city". And my fears are gone - though I do find Sydney drivers less aware of cyclists, and there does seem to be less cyclists on the road here, compared with North American cities I have recently visited. There is a fairly good network of separated cycle paths and bicycle signage on roads, but you still must stay quite aware of vehicle traffic around you. I'm missing the days of cycling in the same gear for an hour and never unclipping my shoes or putting on my breaks; soon enough I'll embark on another cycle tour...

So Sydney - a metropolitan, gorgeous, clean, wealthy city. That's my view of it so far. I'm probably making generalizations, yes, but that's the way it feels. I'm adjusting to city life, and to the expense of it all, especially in Oz, where prices are much higher then in North America for food at the grocery and food at restaurants. I'm getting used to being sedentary, I mean, having a place to come to each night, knowing where I will lay my head. My how that is easier on the brain (albeit a wee bit less exciting). And I am getting used to Krista and Tua, loving how I spend my evenings cooking and eating with them in their home, baking treats for them while they are at work, discussing plans for their upcoming wedding celebration, and meeting all of their wonderful friends here.

I feel a lot like I'm in a land where nothing is familiar, even though Australia is a commonwealth country that has been subjected to globalization like any other... The plants look different, people are slightly hard to understand, independent cafes and restaurants spill onto every street, where I ride my bike on the left, and where it feels nothing like a traditional Christmas. The weather is warm, the Christmas decorations and carols quite sparse, and the farmers markets have spring and early summer produce in bounty! My internal seasonal clock is confused...as I welcome an afternoon sitting in the sunshine outside, rather then cozy by a fireplace indoors or baking up a Christmas cookie storm! I'm even going camping this December weekend to celebrate the fact that I'm a hitting a quarter century in age. I'm going to have to crank the carols and bake some gingerbread cookies if I want to simulate some kind of Christmas 'round here...

I've been practicing yoga almost every day here, and have been setting intentions at the beginning of each session. Things to meditate on, positive affirmations, or manifestations. As I struggle with my flying across the entire Pacific ocean after living a rather simple carbon friendly life for the past number of months, I keep returning to what my good friend Sean told me as we parted in San Fransisco. He told me I could offset my carbon emissions with love! So, I've been energetically infusing love into all you folks who have helped me get to where I am today. I invite you to do the same. Take a quiet moment or two to concentrate on one person, and send them love through your heart. Show love outwardly by greeting a stranger in the street with a smile, telling someone they're beautiful, letting your partner that you appreciate them. Show love to your garden or your pets or show love to mama earth by committing to change one enviro action today. Most of all, don't forget to love and take care of your own spirit, so that you are ever more able and prepared to share with others around you.