Vacations

The most recent vacation I went on was to Australia. It was so great!!! I went with a group that I am now an alumni of which is People to People Student Ambassadors. There were about 32 of us from different places around Florence including two from Texas; including the teacher leaders, there were 36. Out of the 32 student delegates, there was only one who had been there before. The rest of us were just fledglings. The trip lasted from July 4th to July 22nd (half of us had to wait until the 23rd because of delay). I've been to every state in mainland Australia. I didn't think I would make friends but I did which I still keep in touch with on Myspace. Even though I had a really nice time over in Australia, I didn't try to feign my true feelings about wanting to go home all day EVERY day! Some people didn't like the way I was being so guileless about it but I really didn't care. I really started my episodes when we got to the Northern Territory. If you didn't know, it's the state that has the large rock formations out in the desert. The earth is red sand that I highly recommend not wearing new shoes, especially if they're white, because THEY WILL get ruined and turn reddish pink. I absolutely HATED the Northern Territory with all the rock climbing and walking for miles and carrying our heavy backpacks in the heat! We were all bundled up in our coats and hats but because of the exercise, we had to take off some articles of clothing. That was the most absolute INSIPID part of my experience because all we did was hike up humungous rock formations, was forced to take pictures of Uluru every 5 seconds to see the color change, and kick around in red dirt all day! Let me inform you that our summer is their winter, so we had to do this in the FREEZING cold! One night on our Bush Camp experience, we had to sleep in "swags" which is basically a mattress, bed sheets, sleeping bag and pillow all zipped up into one big bag on the ground. We ALL slept with thermals, 2 pairs of socks, coats, hats, gloves, whatever we had to keep ourselves warm during the night we slept outside on the red earth. Although, there was one laudable and unforgettable part about being outside in the Outback and that is the night sky. I remember how it was so beautiful and so clear. You could see the Milky Way and all the constellations. You would have to be there to witness it with your own two eyes to realize what I am talking about. Another plus to being in Australia was the peccadillious, ambrosial chocolate treats that are Tim Tams! They are sort of like a chocolate cookie filled with nougat that is a delicious sensation in your mouth and come in assorted flavors. Sadly, I did not bring any of these delectable treats back to the States with me, although I wish I had. My new friend Brandon brought back a plethora of tim tams with him because he loves chocolate so much. Being in Australia was ineffable. I cannot explain how much I actually enjoyed the country now that I am no longer there. During my stay, I was so intransigent on coming home and I made everyone know it all day, every single day. I was floundering with the decision of whether or not to kiss the floor of the airport and roll around on it, but I decided against it. LOL The absolute HAPPIEST time was when I came around the corner of the airport and saw my granny! I ran to her and broke down and cried in front of everyone and didn't care who saw!!! I was just happy to be home!