mlsurfs' Friends

Holidays in Oz
Oz = Australia, for those of us too lazy to type it all out repeatedly. As my legal (and spiritual) father and my biological mother are both Australian by birth and at least 3 generations on both sides, most of my extended family is in Oz. My biological father is German, and other than the Montreal cousins, all the remaining family are in Germany, along with my biologically full, legally half-brother who has lived with friends of the family for several years now. I have my 3 half-sisters in the US, two of whom have children, a cousin and two second cousins in Montreal, and my (still estranged) mother lives part of the time here as well. Otherwise I am completely devoid of relatives on the North American continent. I've always wished that I were closer to my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc and hated that I saw them so frequently, but they are at least a very good excuse for traveling!

This was my 15th trip to Australia, and it was by far the coldest and rainiest visit. Everywhere I went, I would bring cold rain with me; I consider myself the Bringer of Doom (or maybe I'm a rain god, hat tip to Douglas Adams). I wore maybe 1/6 of the clothing I brought because it was too cool much of the time to wear anything except long pants and sleeves, which I brought only two sets of and found myself wearing for days on end. Frustrating! I didn't even get to swim, and it rained 2/3 of my trip.

After flying into Sydney while still battling an ear infection I spent a night with my dad and stepmum (who is fantasatic - if only she had been my mother!), then flew the next day to Adelaide where I spent three days with my mother's only sibling, an aunt 11 years her senior. She's doing fantastic; as lively and good-humoured, spry and fit as always. She completely amazes me because not only has she aged fantastically, but she does more with her life than most people at any age, and she's better with a computer than some 20 year olds. How she and my mother resulted from the same parents, in terms of their radically different personalities, I'll never understand.

While I was in Adelaide I got to see both of her sons, who are also doing very well - and one of them is engaged for the first time in his 40s! Bravo to him. I spent two days touring McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley, respectively - these being two famous wine growing regions in South Australia. I adored McLaren Vale (and bought way too much wine there), but was not so impressed by the wines in the Barossa. If you'd like to read a more in-depth review from the perspective of a wannabe wine buff, let me know and I'll type that up.

After Adelaide I flew to Melbourne where I stayed with my cousin Sue and saw her two children, who are actually closer in age to me than any of my first cousins. All happy, healthy, and wonderful people - and Sue's new husband is great, too. I've been blown away by how intelligent, attractive (and tall!) all my maternal relatives are. I didn't get to meet up with my fourth maternal cousin (who lives in Perth) or her children, but all the pictures and news on that front is good as well. As I told my aunt, she really should have had more children, simply to boost the gene pool. Her progeny should repopulate the planet after I prune it heavily during my domination of the universe. :D

After Melbourne it was back to Sydney for Christmas celebrations with dad and stepmum and some friends, and then we drove up to Newcastle where they had just bought a house prior to my arrival. It needs some renovation so they won't be moving for about year from the sounds of it, but it was nice to see where they most likely will live for the rest of their lives. I approve of their choice, and Newcastle's quite nice. We also met up with my dad's sister and her children and their children - she has two sons and a daughter, and both the boys have small children. I fell in love with the 4 month old in particular. Little boys are so sweet; much sweeter than little girls, I have to admit!

This visit was different from prior visits because there was much less time spent with my paternal cousins (alas), much less time on the beach (in fact, none), and I rented a car twice, as well as drove my dad's car a bit. Driving in Oz, even with a manual, was surprisingly easy! I was nervous at first, but I picked it up very quickly and at this point driving on the left feels natural. I thought driving a manual might be challenging, but the switch was again, shockingly simple. I wonder if this is yet another arena in which my study of hebrew has made my brain more adaptable, or if it's linked to the fact that I'm semi-ambidextrous?

Tomorrow, which is Monday here in Oz, I fly back to NC. I do miss home; especially my own bed, my own kitchen, my computer (and its fast, fast internet) and my perfume collection. As well as my friends, you know who you are! It's been a long time away.

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