History 12 ConGRADulations Video

Hope you enjoy Mr. Torres.

Penang, Malaysia

          While in Malacca, I had a conversation with Mike "Smithers" McMillan, who told me of a family connection he had to Georgetown, Penang. As a result, I did a little research. Penang or Langwaki? Two islands both on the Northwest coast of Malaysia. Penang, is a really melting pot of culture, culinary delights, and ethnic backgrounds. Langwaki is a duty-free island, noted for its natural beauty, however a little more touristy.

I went with Penang. I will say right now, I see Penang as a wasted opportunity. I will explain why.

The infamous "Love Lane."

         Firstly, I grabbed an evening bus from Malacca. Because of delays I didn't arrive in Penang until 3:30am. As a result, many of the front desks for all of the hostels were locked up. Also, I have been good this entire trip of doing adequate research in areas beforehand, so I don't get cheated. This is especially true with taxi drivers. And because, I was so exhausted, I failed to realize that the cab driver charged me too much, and then dropped me off in a "backpacker lane." It was ACTUALLY called LOVE LANE, and was full of prostitutes. 

          So it is safe to say, I didn't have a positive introduction to the city. The other unfortunate aspect of Penang, was the simple concept that there wasn't too much to do there. Aside from eating, which I admit, the variety was incredible, I found myself wondering around a lot, and never finding anything new around the corner. And unlike Malacca, (where everything was in walking distance), essentially anything worth visiting, was a long cab ride away. It was almost as if the city planners, designed the island with every attraction spread out for the sake of the transportation industry. I certainly benefited from the English Premiership season beginning, as a couple of nights involved me joining people of all walks of life in bars to watch "the English game." In Malaysia in general, Manchester United is popular, however the favourite seems to be Liverpool.

It's also safe to say, I felt most homesick while in Penang. Back home in Vancouver, there were lots of exciting things happening, and I was unable to be a part of it. Likewise in Brisbane, where I really created a home for myself. My empty dorm room wasn't helping things either. It also seemed like, right when I became loneliest, the weather took a turn for the worst. It was essentially a prelude to soggy wet Thailand.

            On my last day in Penang, I managed to do something quite worthwhile, and something I really should have done earlier. For starters, Georgetown/Penang is not Kuching and Malacca. Everything is NOT in walking distance. I should have learned the bus system in advance (less than $1 Canadian to essentially cross the island); the western coast of the island is BEAUTIFUL. What a shame, that I missed that for 3 days. Here are some pictures:

           
           Honestly, this was my formula for Penang. The further west I traveled, the more I liked it. I should have done a better job with area, but I still feel like it was the one city/area that I never really connected with. Every where I go, I tend to find little pockets and niches that I seem to fit into, but sadly Penang wasn't right for me.

Apparently, Brenden Fraser is not a popular actor in Southeast Asia.

The docks and piers on the west coast of Penang were awesome to venture out on and explore. I talked to many of the local fisherman who seemed somewhat surprised that I was talking to them. I think it was because the only way tourists tend to venture out that far, is with a large group.

Glamour shot. 

My favourite beach I have discovered thus far in Southeast Asia. Yes, I have seen whiter sand, and yes I have swam in clearer water. What is this one my favourite? Check out the features. Firstly, it was completely isolated and I was the only one there. Secondly, a dog followed me and played with me the entire time. Thirdly, there were giant rocks for me to sit on. Lastly, there was even a small cave to explore. Great find!

 And the sun sets in uneventful Penang. Oh well, not everywhere will blow you away. Besides, I'm sure I will have a fair share of memorable moments in Ko Phi Phi, Thailand, which is my next destination. See you on the other side. My passport is getting colourful.

M.I.A.

Well folks, I apologize, it has essentially been 3 weeks since I last wrote. I have been M.I.A. I have been filming a lot, meeting all kinds of folks, and have two memory cards full of photos. At the end of this trip, I plan to compile some kind of movie; however, this time I have failed to establish a general plan or style for the film, so it may be scattered. Just like this blog entry in fact. So last I checked, I wrote was in Kuching, so it is certainly time to move on. Our next scenic location is:

MALACCA, MALAYSIA

The Streets of Malacca

When I descended from the bus in the Malacca Bus Station I was initially weary. Everywhere I saw tourists; I had presumed by ignoring Kuala Lumpur (huge cities are generally avoidable for me) I was taking the less obvious path. Interestingly enough, there appeared to be very, very, few Western tourists. It became quickly evident that Malacca was very much an Asian tourist destination. Each and every bus unloaded loads and loads of travelers of Asian descent. Even in the wonderful hostel I found, most of the guests appeared to be of Asian descent. Considering my original plan was be in Malacca for two days (it eventually became four days) I was pleasantly surprised by the city.


OBSERVATIONS:

- Although I mentioned tourists, by comparison to other cities I have visited, this was on the lower end of that scale

- The Hostel was absolutely lovely. I felt bad for the owner of the hostel, because he said despite his best efforts, he was having trouble getting the hostel advertised in travel guides. Apparently, "once you are in, you are IN." As a result, one of the owners would go every day to the bus station, and try and convince people to stay. Turns out, it worked with me.

I think I found the entrance to the Secret Garden

- The city is small enough, that everything was within walking distance. In the middle of the city, was a fantastic green hill. It was actually a Chinese cemetery, so as you climbed higher and higher, the gravestones became more elaborate. Strangely enough, one the most peaceful spots I have enjoyed thus far, was a cemetery.
- People who know me, understand that I dislike shopping. I dislike it even more when it is completely catered  for Westerners. However, in Malacca, aside from the main touristy centre, the city seemed to understand exactly what it was.



          I truly recommend Malacca to anyone traveling up the western coast of peninsular Malaysia. It has plenty of nice little surprises, and of all things, seems like a city content with its own way of life. I felt like I was really exploring something a little less visited. And then of course, pool, breakfast, drinks in the hostel were a lovely touch. I was so inspired, I even made a birthday video for a friend of mine in my hostel room. Check it out.

Goodbye Singapore, Hello Kuching

Hello Everyone back in Vancouver, hope the summer is treating you well.

           My time in Singapore came to an end, and here are my parting thoughts of the city:

Flags, Flags, Everywhere!

1) Of all things, I cannot overstate that Singapore is a gateway city, and not a final destination. The only way, in my opinion, to avoid this feeling is to either work or study there. That said, it's a small island nation, that doesn't enjoy the community aspect that is associated with small island nations.

I counted thousands of flags.

2) Without a doubt, the highlight for me was the proximity of such diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups, in little pockets through the downtown area. They were natural and authentic, and not something simply put together by the tourism board. I also really appreciated the harmony of these groups, and the general pride the people have for Singapore itself. In one apartment block just outside of the city, I have not seen such a display of national pride in a long time. I even took some video of it, and will show that later.

Without question, I was excited to leave Singapore for the jungle. Kuching, while being the 4th largest city in Malaysia, is still relatively small. There is a compact downtown area, and the rest of the population is very spread out. I have very much enjoyed my 4 days here so far, and am excited about my remaining 6 days.

Here are a few photos and a bit of analysis to accompany them:

I will forever love being in a forest.

In the Jungle, The Mighty Jungle
  
       Firstly, I must say, that during the day, Kuching is the hottest place I have ever been to. The humidity is insane, and the only comfort can be found underneath the canopy of the jungle. We have been hiking a few times, which is what I am really after here. I have been missing the hills of my hometown, and the hikes with my father.

This was one lively Orangutan.

          We went to an Orangutan Sanctuary, and I will admit, this little journey had tourist trap written all over it. But thankfully, costing only 10 RM (just under $3) it is a chance worth taking. Watching the Orangutans play and eat was fun, but I still think I will never really like zoos or sanctuaries. The only one I appreciated was the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane; because they were simply taking care of injured animals that would have died in the wild anyway. Even though this park claimed to be training these Orangutans for the wild, how can man-made ropes and buckets of food be considered a natural environment? Maybe
my attitude has become more intense after seeing the brilliant documentary, "The Cove."

The Tracks Bed and Breakfast

Tracks Bed and Breakfast (Kuching, Borneo)

          Well all I can say here is, thank goodness for Taylor Livingston. He has been my little travel guide from afar, and he continues to lead me in the right direction. Not only is Kuching, Borneo exactly what I was looking for, but the accommodation is second to none. The Tracks Bed and Breakfast is out of this world. And at $4.75 a night, it isn't bad on the wallet either. The staff is really friendly and approachable and always willing to hang out and teach you about the local community.

Well, that is about all for now. Tomorrow we are heading to the Bako National Park. It should be an absolute dandy.

The Look

           Leading into my last day in Singapore, I have to mention one thing I find very interesting about backpackers/foreigners in this town. Wherever I go in this city, my eyes are always wondering around. There are so many things to see, so many people to watch. That has always been one of my favourite aspects of travelling; wondering around without a plan, and seeing what happens.
        
          As I left my hostel for a moment this evening, I experienced an unexpected surprise. There is a woman who works the front desk of our hostel on Dunlop Street, named "Lady." She is originally from the Phillipines, and has moved to Singapore to work and live. She saw me walking down the road (she was on her way to work) and she asked if I wanted a treat, courtesy of her. It was a wonderful gesture, and I happily accepted. She took to a place called the "Bean Curd Factory" where we tried all-things-soy. It was refreshing and healthy I'm told, but the highlight was hearing Lady talk about her life and her family.

          Amazingly her family has a tradition, where the oldest sibling leaves the home when they are old enough, to work and save money. Want to know what they do with that money? They give it to the younger sibling for their school fees. How amazing is that? So one of your responsibilities in the family, and to have a positive influence on your younger siblings, you work so they can go to school. As she is a middle child, her older sibling did the same for her. I was so impressed; Lady is absolutely wonderful, and has been a reassuring late night presence when I return to my hostel.

The Look: In-depth Analysis

          Following this wonderful little snack, I saw 4 or 5 foreigners approaching. And as always there was a quick look, followed by intentional glance away and beyond. What I mean by this is, backpackers appear to dismiss and ignore the presence of other backpackers. Firstly, the initial look, when eye contact is made is mildly frightening. Sure, there is an element of pride at stake here; "I looked at you first. Move on chum."
 Then there is the uncertainty---should I nod, should I smile, should I say hello? NONE OF THE ABOVE. The stare is unlocked, and life goes on.

         I think this happens for the following reasons: Us backpackers are trying to remove ourselves from our usual lives. We have specifically chosen these regions of the city (Chinatown, Arab Street, Little India) with this goal in mind. Seeing someone exactly like yourself, also encroaching on another way of life, you feel a little bit of shame. You are no better, and no worse than that person. You are the same. They also had the same plan as you, a crying shame! The last thing the world you want to do is say Hello to this person. Why? Because in a giant multi-cultural city like Singapore, with a population that has unique and wonderful stories to tell, here I am sharing my travel itinerary with someone just like me.

       I'm no pessimist, and yes, I have met some very interesting people on my trip. But the "original look" is what I am explaining here. When we are in a hostel it is different. It's like the calm before the storm---the breath before the plunge. In here, we prepare for battle; once we hit the streets, its game time.

        What is even stranger, is the fact that local Singaporeans have been incredibly warm, hospitable, and embraced my presence. "Where are you from?" asks the Chinese cook at the "Number #1 Best Home Made Noodle Shop" in Chinatown. "Hey Canadian. Why no Samosa today?!Come here and read your book Canadian!" yell the always persistent gentleman at my favourite Indian restaurant. These wonderful people are going out of their way to welcome us, whereas the very sight of another foreign draws us to our maps, iPods, or nothing at all.

A person I know from Kuching told me this:  

When I was younger, I didn't have a laptop, iPod, Blackberry, iPhones, PSP, Nintendo, iPad. I played outside with friends, bruised my knees, made up stories and played hide and seek. I ate what my mom made. I would think twice before I said "no" to my parents. Life wasn't hard, it was good & I survived. I appreciated the way I was raised. I think we were happier kids."

Something to think about.

 

Backpack, Khakis, and Beard

Well, it's been a couple of lovely packed days. There have been some exciting developments which I will touch upon later. I figure for the time being, I will simply tackle each topic or observation one at a time. Sound good?

The Life of the Backpacker 


       Allow me to explain how much I love this life. I wear khakis shorts about 99% of the time. I am constantly in thongs (that's why Canadians, I literally call flip flops thongs now). I usually have a homemade t-shirt on. I have not shaven in nearly 3 weeks, with no signs of using the shaver packed in my bag. I have used a headband, that a dear friend and Japanese Chef, Shinichi, gave me before I left Brisbane. It is such a comfortable lifestyle. I love the idea of carrying your belongings around with you. It represents 2 things to me: self-sustainability and a more old fashioned way of living. I have never required much privacy, so the hostel lifestyle is ideal. To quote an aussie friend, "too easy."


A Surprising Turn of Events


       I'm not going to lie. Australia changed the way my body operates. My parents will tell you, ordinarily I am an early bird. I usually worked early in the morning, really enjoyed relaxing in the afternoon, and got to bed during the week around 11:30 PM. In Australia, working two jobs I was usually sleeping 6 hours on average. Late Nights (2-4 AM). Lots of Caffeine. I was transformed into a night owl overnight. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret a second of it; its just my body was unprepared for such a rapid change of lifestyle.

       So far in SE Asia, I have next to no alcohol. I am reading like a madman. I am walking everywhere. I am going to sleep early, waking up early, enjoying and afternoon nap, you get the picture. What I am saying is, in Australia it's like I thought I was in SE Asia, whereas the opposite is true here. I'm really enjoying it.

Theft

       This is very strange to me. As I have already alluded to, Singapore is an incredibly orderly society. There is no rubbish anywhere, people follow the rules, yet there are signs everywhere saying "DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING UNATTENDED, NO MATTER WHAT." On the subway, in the shopping malls, even on the streets. Why is this odd? Well, I felt afraid when I arrived, that I had to have my bag on me at all times. Even in an internet cafe, I would awkwardly carry my backpack to the washroom, even as the owner insisted it was ok. I have slowly become more lenient; there is a web cafe right underneath my hostel, and I am there best customer.

        The other day, I forgot my camera in a hostel lobby when I was asking for directions. I came back 3 hours later, tracing back my steps. There it was right where I left it. Good ol' Singapore. Today, I saw a sight that little seemed a little embarrassing. My favourite place in Singapore is Little India. As I am walking through a bustling neighbourhood, there is a tour group passing through. Maybe 25 people, I would say North American based on their weight, all wearing ridiculous matching yellow t-shirts. They descended from the door of their giant tour bus, into what I'm sure they were told was the "heart of Little India." They all proceeded to swing their bags around, and march single file down the street, with their backpacks on their chests. I know it is wise to be cautious, but it was halfway between hilarious and direspectful.

Tourists

          I think the funniest thing is watching the lone tourist walking down the crowded commercial streets of Orchard Road, with his $1000 handycam in tote. Anything he finds mildly interesting, he stops for about 2 seconds, raises his right arm, presses PLAY. Then he walks forward for maybe thirty more seconds, and repeats the ridiculous process. I mean, I am all for documentation of a trip. You should be trying to preserve these memories. But seriously, using a camera I could never afford, to film a bus stop?

Ice Cream Sandwiches

           Now this is something, I FILMED! Ice cream sandwiches are actually sandwiches here. The vendors have loaves of sugary, pink and green bread, and they slice a block of ice-cream with a huge knife, and slide it between two pieces of bread. How wild is that?

Next Stop: Borneo

       On the advice of the wonderful, enthuastic, Taylor Livingston, I purchased a 57 dollar round trip ticket to Borneo. I will arrive in Kuching, where I am in for a very pleasant surprise. Not only is it the birthplace of my dear friend "Chooksie," the Alexander family raised their kids in the area. I am incredibly excited for this unique opportunity.

That's about all I can think about for now. I feel like I am just typing words at this point. I hope everyone is lovely back home. It's always good to talk with mom and dad on Skype. I encourage Sasha and Milan to give me a go as well, I'm getting pretty dynamite.

Sleepless in Singapore

     Admittedly, tonight has been a little difficult. I believe the independent aspect of this trip, notably traveling by myself, has been a good decision. Brisbane represents the very best of this decision; I arrived by myself, and 7 months later I feel like I have left a family behind. I miss them every day.

     So clearly, it is an approach that can be successful. But the more I dissect the experience, I understand why it was such a smooth transition. I was working 50+ hours a week with many people in the same situation. This incredible group leaned on each other, and whether we knew it or not, the BBC represented most of my social life.

     When you are traveling, you have no set schedule. Meeting people is not a given. You must go out of your way. Which is especially interesting here in Singapore. I will walk around this wondrous city, utterly taken aback by all it has to offer. It seems that spell is ruined when I see another tourist; perhaps part of me is thinking "Go Away! I don't want to break this illusion."

     After a lively day, this has been a lonely night. I think I have just realized I wish I could be sharing this with someone. I can think of so many people I want to be here right now. I'd love to explore all these multi-cultural neighbours with my mother, or sing in the streets with my dad. I'd love to stroll through these streets with my brothers, Sasha and Milan.

       Cribbage with Hefe, tea with Grant, a film with Sam. Honestly, the list is long. I figure it only indicates my excitement to come home after this trip. I will be fine, I just wish at the end of this Southeast Asia trip, I wish I could turn to someone and say "We will never forget this trip."

But I won't have that. And that is something I have realized.

Singapore (Day 2): Busy Day

There are signs everywhere in Singapore like this.

 It's been a busy day. It will continue to be. I have 30 minutes, therefore I am simply going to post a few photos, and comment about them. Hope they serve their purpose.

Photo #1: Homemade "Fine Signs"

Remember how I said there was a general mentality that one should clean up after themselves. Now I'm not 100% certain how enforced these laws are, but even in internet cafes owners put up these homemade signs. The hope is to prevent bad business if the police show up. My only question is, we have similar signs in Vancouver. Do not vandalize this bus. Do not let your dog poop in this park. Why do we still litter in Vancouver? Honestly, in a city three times more crowded like Singapore, I still find it fascinatingly clean. There are more people, and certainly more waste. Interesting stuff.

Little India. Glorious, glorious Little India.

Photo #2: Little India

What an absolutely fantastic place. I walked around with my video camera just to experience to vibrancy and energy of the area. It seemed like every business was run by a family, and supposedly they lived in the place above the business. Little India brings me back to similar feeling I felt walking through the beautiful streets of Lhasa, Tibet. I think my mother would absolutely adore this portion of the city. The variety in the neighbourhoods here, just spectacular. I will surely enjoy Chinatown tomorrow.

Literally the dirtiest street I found all day.

Photo #3: Clean, Clean, Clean

As a challenge, I wondered throughout the city, looking for the dirtiest street I could find. I assumed I could find a few ugly back alleys somewhere. This was especially true in China, where their major streets and sidewalks were impeccably clean, however most of the litter was just hidden behind the buildings. Not the case here. I proudly report this as the dirtiest street I found in 4 hours. Note the rusty bicycles, a little bit of aging on some of those buildings.......you get the point.

Singapore (Day 1): "No Phone. No Phone. I just want to be alone today."

Singapore is certainly a city of colour

         The lyrics above are taken from a band I used to like called CAKE. I lost interest in them-- I thought they seemed out of touch, sarcastically complaining about modern life, modern relationships, and the sad state of things. Strangely enough, ten years later, by myself in Singapore, these lyrics have a new meaning. Allow me to explain.

           In a world where everyone seems entitled to complain about anything, I found the song "No Phone" to be needlessly cynical. The lead singer wails throughout the song about the evilness of modern communication. Why on earth would you want no phone, and why do you so badly want to be alone?


         I left my phone, my laptop, everything in Australia. People place way more importance in their phone than they readily realize. Its more than a communication tool, for many its an extension of one's social existence. For me, I simply enjoy the comfort it allows. I have to ability to speak to someone I love, and to hear a familiar voice. There is little that is a familiar here.

          I arrived at 4:40 AM, and read "Angela's Ashes" in the terminal until the first city train left for downtown Singapore. Red-eye flights can certainly take their toll. I fell asleep, and started to dream that I was late for work in Brisbane. I awoke, to find myself on a passenger commuter train in downtown Singapore with businessman staring at me. Good start.

Western Business sticks out like a sore thumb

         I'm told that Singapore is the 2nd most densely populated country in the world. It sure didn't seem that way early in the morning. I feel I narrowly avoided the business rush. I reached into my pocket and remembered something useful. A friend of mine in Perth, had given me some notes regarding interesting neighbourhoods to find, tourist traps to avoid, and most immediately important: a cheap place to sleep. All signs pointed to Bencoolen St... Backpacker Central.

The sidewalk leading up to my hostel

         Apparently that was old news, as each Hostel turned me away saying they were full for the weekend. Not a worry, I ventured deeper into 'Little India' and found myself a place to stay. Keep in mind Singapore is widely regarded as the most expensive country in Southeast Asia, but $20 for a clean bed, breakfast, a guided tour, and a prime location sounds fine to me. I booked for three nights. Following an afternoon nap (this will become a tradition. It was 33 degrees centigrade at noon)  I awoke around 5pm to find a man across the room reading a local paper. I said "Hello," and it was easy sailing from there.

           He was a Malaysian man, who spoke very good English, because he had gone to university in Arizona. His name was Sam, and he had an undeniable aura of being a worldly traveler. He indeed was. He told me he had sold his house to travel the world, living in hostels along the way. His bunk was decked out, and he informed me he would be there for a few more months. When he found out I was new in town, he went out of his way to be helpful. Tomorrow, Sam is taking me on a personally guided food tour. I'm attempting to be a vegetarian this trip. To this he smiled and said, "Yes. We will see." As I have no phone, I wrote down his name in my travel book.

         Next I went to a lovely Indian restaurant around the corner. My goodness, it was good, and for less than three dollars I was stuffed with vegetarian goodness. I feel this trip is going to be incredible for my physical and mental health. I keep having little moments where I forget I am in Singapore. I will read my book for 10 minutes, forget where I am, then realize here I am all alone. But that is the Backpacker existence. We are all in the same boat. To quote myself, immediately after I had spoken with Sam, I walked out into the street and said:

" "Mica Prazak. That's the best thing you can do... just opening your damn mouth."

OBSERVATIONS:

The legend is true. The cleanest city I've yet to see.

- Singapore is truly multicultural. I am surrounded by places of worship. Freedom of religion is protected here. The dominate ethnicity is Chinese hovering just under 70%.

- As I anticipated, the city is spotless. Reasons for this include: garbage bins everywhere, an ever-present city cleaning system, but all things, a genuine expectation to clean up after yourself. It's true about the bubble gum, and you can even receive a $400 fine just for eating or drinking on public transit. $500 fine for smoking where you shouldn't be.

- I read somewhere, that in many communities in Singapore, eating with your hands is the norm. On top of that, it is expected to eat only with the right hand in certain restaurants. As I am new here, without being on some kind of  tour, I am playing it safe. Have you ever tried only eating with one hand? I have cheated, carrying a book around, and reading with my left hand while I eat with my right.

Taxi Drivers keep you well informed in Singapore

- Interestingly, taxi cabs have a very interesting quality in this city. In Canada, if the light is on, the cab is available. Here it is not so simple; the taxi cabs here are much more informative. Either red or green in colour, I have seen these messages so far:

(green) AVAILABLE
(red) HIRED
(red) ON CALL
(red) TAKING A BREAK


          All in all, it has been a fascinating first day. I'm really enjoying this lone wolf role. If nervousness or loneliness has time to catch up with me, I will take that on one step at a time. Since my traveling life is far more 'eye-opening' than working life was in Brisbane, you can expect far more entries now and far more pictures. I intend on filming everything, however I won't be able to edit any of that footage until I get back to Australia.

         Fine by me. I have fully embraced my backpacker lifestyle. Unlike Australia where black work pants and dress shirts were my required attire, here I am dressed like Mica Prazak likes to dress. Homemade T-shirt wearing, beard growing, headband sporting, backpack sporting, and knees breathing.


The journey begins my friends, my journey begins.
      

Western Australia

Leaving Brisbane was a very difficult thing to do. The staff at the Bavarian Bier Cafe had essentially become my family over a 6 month period. A multi-national body of love, that I will never forget, and make every effort to visit in their native countries in the future. As a birthday/send off party, we had a large gathering in my home, in which people were most gracious, kind, and sentimental. It was one of the loveliest nights of my life.

I arrived at the airport, only to be told I have been moved to a different flight for "fuel efficiency" reasons. Fair enough. Unfortunately, this meant a 4.5 hour flight, next to a morbidly obese man. When I brought this up with my friends in Perth, they all firmly believed that someone who takes up more than one seat, should pay for more than one seat. I don't think that would fly in Canada.

Perth is everything Brisbane isn't. It is isolated, an oasis of civilization with far less coming and going. The backpacker lifestyle is also very limited here-- it seems to be a more entrenched existence. That's not to imply that there is little sense of adventure here. Simply put, it is the people that make Brisbane an exciting town, whereas Perth is an exciting concept to begin with. Geographically, its a small strip of green, staring down endless semi-arid red sands. Erin's father, "Quincy", informed me why the sands are so red here. They are incredibly rich in iron, making the interior of Australia such a mining operation.

A few days into my stay here, Erin's boyfriend Oscar took us to his family farm. What a treat. Their farm, largely sheep and wheat, literally covered mass expanses that required automobile use to travel. Which meant, I got a few driving lessons. Without giving much more away, here is a video of my travels in Western Australia. You may note my use of a pretty stellar camera. This handy little GOPRO camera is the size of a TIC TAC box but provides very powerful images. It is also waterproof which makes it ideal for Southeast Asia. I think it is the beginning of a very good cinematic relationship.

Adios, miss you all.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The word 'tourist trap' gets thrown around a lot when you are traveling. I try my hardest to avoid them. Perhaps the most memorable of these, was a ridiculous over-the-top 'traditional dance performance' that my mom and I laughed our way through in Central China.

Another interesting comparison I can make here, is the Great Panda Sanctuary my mom and I visited during our trip in China. As fascinating as it was, and glorious as the Pandas were, I really felt bad for the animals. In a way, it seemed the only purpose of their existence was for our viewing pleasure.

Knowing how much I hate zoos, I entered this visit with a bit of hesitation. However, on each occasion I went, I was lucky enough to be accompanied by some lovely people. The first, the lovely local, Chanel Marshall. The second, my old Vancouver Island friend, Katie Littlejohn. The video really speaks for itself in terms of how much I enjoyed myself. The place is entirely laid back, the staff clearly LOVE all of the animals, and the price is entirely reasonable (especially if you still are pretending to be a student)

Chanel, and Katie, this video makes me smile. Hope it does the same for you.

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers to my incredible father Oleh. I wish we were together today.

Love Mica

A Hermit for the Week

Hello Everyone, Long Time No Post!

Yes it is true. But admittedly, it has been awfully busy week. 60 hour work week combined with the staff video that I have completed above. Simply one of those weeks, that you question its worth while it is occurring, but will fondly look back upon.

However, along with all this work, there are plenty of positives to speak of. It seems like life is just presenting me with interesting person after interesting person right now. It certainly helps that I work in a bar that could also function as the United Nations of Brisbane City. People at the BBC simply come from so many walks of life, that it is constantly refreshing. It is very much what life in residence at UBC was; a gathering of young enthusiastic people, flying by the seat of their pants. After a while, this group inevitably becomes family.

I'm running a lot more now, mostly due to the weather temperatures normalizing. Last evening, my run took me through noticeably cold temperatures reaching as low as 10 degrees centigrade!

I'm also reading a lot more now. Becky, a friend of mine, suggested I read The Great Gatsby. Somehow I have managed to not read it after all this time, and what a mistake! The dialogue is delicious the metaphor and imagery encapsulating, and it is truly is a book you could not create anymore. It is from another time and another place.

Just wanted to send out a hello to my parents. Sorry I have been a little distant for the time being, I assure you I was very busy. To my friends back home, you are and always will be my rock, and to the grade 12's of Handsworth Secondary...even after my departure you continue to impress and amaze me.

Busy Week. Long Week. Good Week.

Happy Easter

Hello to everyone, from 'chilly' Melbourne!

It was a special Easter this year. We didn't have the glorious feast prepared by my mom, Judy, and Dave. We didn't do our Stanley Park walk to feed the birds and squirrels. However, as I am halfway around the world, it is special to be with Sasha for Easter. We celebrated together in an abandoned college, that was as peaceful as it was beautiful.

I think Sasha and I both would have been rather lonely without our family, so it really worked well for the both of us. Sasha is still plugging away at the piano, enjoying his courses, and enjoying the company of some very nice students (Suya gets a shoutout)

I also managed to meet up with my old friend Pippa. She was kind enough to host me while I was here. I want to thank her, as well as Jess, and her sister Katie. You made me feel right at home.

It is definitely a trip of self-analysis. With Easter and ANZAC day coupled together, it seems an appropriate time to think of the important things. I love my family so much. I am also so amazed with my cousins and aunts and uncles in Toronto, who managed to put so much love to make my grandfather's 90th birthday so special. I've never seen so much love in one house, it blows me away every time I go to Toronto. Also walking home from Newman College (where Sasha lives) I walked past a beautiful cemetery, and I thought of Baba. I think she would have had so much fun at Dido's birthday, and her laughter would have echoed throughout her home on Clendenan St.

Melbourne is a lovely place, even though I have used it inappropriately. Clearly, there is a lot going on here, but all I wanted this weekend was to relax, read, and be with my little brother. I managed to do all of these things, but Melbourne is a city I would like to see more of. But in a way, it is impossible to do that in 4 or 5 days. This is a city that should be lived in.

Happy Easter Everyone. To my family and my loving friends.

NHL Playoffs 2011

Oh what a glorious time of year! I am so excited. I also purchased an NHL centre ice package, which allows me to watch every game of every team in Hi-Definition. Add to that, that I can watch them from any computer, with the choice of home or away feeds, I figure it is a very wise 2 month investment.

Secondly, here is my prediction for the 1st round, which I posted before the playoffs began. As much as I hate it, Anaheim has the potential to be this year's Philadelphia Flyers. And yes, Glaude Giroux and Pavel Datsyuk are my two favourite NHL players.

I ran into another Canuck fan wearing a jersey in the streets of Brisbane yesterday, and we actually spontaneously hugged in the middle of a busy street. It was pretty funny. Vancouver must be going insane right now.

I also want to send a big 90th birthday hello to Dido in Toronto. You have so much love around you, and such an amazing family. My gift is still on the way. It will be there soon.

Anyways, off to work, Go Canucks Go.

Teaser Trailer

This is the official trailer for the BBC Staff Video, which is currently in production. I have easily watched it 40 times.

Enjoy, BBC, enjoy.

Happy Birthday Mommy

Albeit a bit late, just wanted to wish my mom a wonderful birthday. Hope you had a very special, fun weekend with your friends. Enjoy. It's no "mere extraordinaire" but hopefully it will do the trick.

Thinking of you, and love you very much.

Fresh Air

Hello Everyone.  It has been a while. I have started working very consistently  and I actually take it as a positive. The busier I am, the less I write. The same phenomenon occurred with my mother Alena, in China. At the beginning of our incredible trip I had plenty of “hotel time” to sit down and write in my diary. As our trip continued, the sites I saw continually amazed me. That essentially led to less writing and more photographs.  China is FAR less familiar to Canada than Australia.

            So what is going on? This is my life at the moment. I work 2 different jobs 6-7 days a week. I will provide you a brief description of each job:

1)   BAVARIAN BEER CAFÉ (BBC): What a wonderful fluke opportunity. Imagine being invited to join an incredible group of energetic people from all over the world. It has provided me with my most immediate and active social group in Brisbane. I get fed and paid well. I get to enjoy fine European Beers as an added pleasure. Truly wonderful…

2)   ESL TEACHING: This has also been a treat, for different, indirect reasons. My role is literally to teach South Korean kids, in their own classrooms, via webcam, the English language. Although at a basic level, it is an incredible experience to watch them slowly learn my language. This of all things, is a beneficial step to South Korea.

A           At this time, I am thinking of my friends back at home too. I have become less frequent in my contacts back home, but I feel lucky to still be part of the loop. Whether it is being invited to Alex Caldicott’s Russian Elvis Band, to Sam’s recent incredible success, I am always reminded of how amazing my friends are.  I love them so much.
               To my brothers, I hope you are both well, Milan you are looking wonderful and I only hope you are mixing work and pleasure as best as you can. Sasha, I welcome you to our shores. We will have an amazing experience here.
               Mom and Dad. I’m doing the best I can. Australia is an expensive country, but I have been trying to keep it as cost effective as possible. The best moments and experiences have been free ones, and I try to keep that as consistent as possible.  I have multiple surprises/videos approaching, I meant this to be an introduction to those events.

      I love and miss everyone back home so much. Thank you to Hefe and Eddy. Our adventure in June/July in South East Asia, will be a trip of a lifetime. That is a constant source of motivation.

My thoughts and respects go out to the Gibson and Pockett Family. It’s a terrible tragedy, that strikes the heart of a loving community. I wish you both the best of luck.

Great Idea

Well well well, how the world can change so quickly. Sorry folks it has been a busy busy week. I have moved into a new house and I have started working full time. I must say, working in the Bavarian Bier Cafe has been a wonderful experience. The people are fun and excitable, the pay is good, and considering I had no previous experience, I figure I am doing well.

I now live in an apartment in an area called Highgate Hill. I live with two Australians, one German, and one American. It is a pleasant place, and everyone is pretty laid back and creative. I couldn't have asked for a more suitable place to come home to.

Everything seems to be going to plan. I have seen Chooksie. I met up with friends of mine who were traveling here as well (Ali/Che oh so soon!) I have two solid jobs and a place to live. I have planned a trip to visit my little brother in Melbourne, and an epic Easter journey to Perth to visit Erin.

In my experience, when things are going this smoothly, something is bound to go wrong. I have an adopted a battle-ready stance, so that I am never blind-sided. I must say, it's nice for things to be going smoothly.

I have been really happy with the way I have kept in touch with people at home. Whether it be my parents, my friends, teachers, whomever, it has been nice to remain connected. I know I seem to have just suddenly left by myself, but I simply needed a journey on my own. I had to prove to myself, perhaps as a prelude to my year of teaching in South Korea, that I can operate my own life, relying on myself. I'm pleased with the results thus far.

I will be more consistent with my updates from this point on. Adios.

A Prediction

Hello everyone in Vancouver. I hope you are all well.

So things are really heating up here in Brisbane. A) It is bloody hot. It was 35 degrees today, with humidity hovering around 80%. That is insanity, I felt like I was living inside of a slurpee. B) I now technically have three jobs:

a) EMC International Schools: I have been hired to be an ESL teacher during the week. It is very cool. I am put in a sound proof room, and I have a computer and a camera facing me. I am speaking directly to children in a South Korean school. I also get to write on a pad, which will electronically be visible in their classroom. What it likes in proximity and intimacy, it makes up for in convenience. It will be a great stepping stone from Australia to actual teaching in South Korea.

b) Bavarian Beer Cafe: Now this, I was not expecting. I have never worked in the hospitality industry before, but I essentially sold myself.

c) ST VIDEOGRAPHY: I also picked up a nice little "side-project" of a job, doing wedding video editing. That will be good for paying for little trips all over Australia. My goal is essentially to earn $1000 a week.

Aside from that, I've been paying attention to the Canucks, streaming games whenever I can. Obviously, I predict great things for this team. Mike Gillis clearly knew something we didn't, when he signed 8 or 9 NHL ready defencemen.

I think there are too many outdoor games in the NHL now. They should take a few years off. Speaking of which, Hockey Night in Canada is actually on Sunday mornings here. Now exactly the same thing.

I'm super excited for the Oscars. I will make my predictions soon and probably have a little party. I feel like the ball is really getting rolling now. I'm firmly settled in, and I wish to formerly welcome Sasha to these fine shores. Mom and Dad, I hope you are well, and a special birthday message to Jenna Welch. You always make me smile.

The Sasha Call

Not too much to update at this point. I guess that is going to be the case from time to time. Have a few more interviews this week. Hopefully they go well. Anyways, the real reason I posted right now, is because I found a bunch of movies from Christmas. Sasha, my parents and I went to Yellowpoint Lodge, which is a lovely escape we enjoy on Vancouver Island.

My dad was convinced he could find a deer. But his mission, became far more complex. Unsuspecting twists and turns nearly thwarted our hero, but hopefully he will succeed. In all frankness, it is pretty silly stuff, but I just felt like putting something together.

I also want to thank Paul and his friends for hosting me on the Gold Coast this weekend. It was a lovely time, and you were all very welcoming. Hope everyone is well.

Hello Neighbour

Hello Everyone,

Sorry it has been a little while, and for that I apologize. It has been a hectic week full of interviews and introductions. It appears that I will be an ESL teacher at the beginning of March so that is indeed very welcome news. What I do until then for work, is certainly still up in the air. But I have certainly been trying, probably setting a record for most applications/interviews in a month long period.

So here are a few updates of happenings occurring these days. One, The Brisbane Book Fair is one of the most awesome things I've ever seen. Sprawled throughout the ENTIRE Brisbane Convention Centre, there were more cheap used books than I could possibly imagine. I managed to grab a bag full for only $10.

At UBC, in the most memorable and crazy year of my life, I had an Aussie neighbour who I loved dearly. His name was Aidan, and he really was a travelling soul. He had one guitar, a few blankets, and a few books to his name, and he didn't even bother to lock his door. He was the kindest, most easy-going guy, and I remember on our last day, he left his guitar with me. I still have it. In the strings was a note that indicated that we would meet again one day at the right place. Well I didn't think it would be Monoplane St, here in Brisbane. Turns out, he returned from Peru, to his home is Brisbane, which happens to be on my street. What are the chances of that. He features in the video above.

Also managed to see True Grit. Man oh man, what a treat; more straight forward than your usual Coen Brother movie, but certainly a treat when it comes to dialogue. It's kind of interesting how the Coen Brother's quirkier movies seem to gain cult status, while their more streamlined films seem to garner recognition at award season. The young actress who played Maddy Ross, was absolutely outstanding, and stole every scene she was in. Mom and Dad, aside from brief bits of violence, I think even you guys would like this movie. Interested (as always) to know what Sam thought of this.

I've been trying to get a hold of Captain Cassidy, but alas his life is very attached to the Jewel or the Dawn, or whatever cruise ship he is on. This is for two reasons, one for my one selfish needs, and one for an adventure. I would love to see him, if he came into port in Brisbane; but more importantly, Eddy, Hefe, and I are planning an adventure to Southeast Asia, and it would be rather ideal if he could join in the fun.

I went to a touch rugby training session the other, and my god, I am in such pain. I have never had such an intense pre-practice workout. I think it would be safe to say, that nobody would show up to practice anymore if the Nighthawks adopted this workout....maybe Justin. He's a firefighter.

I'm slowly getting more and more used to this city. One thing I think Vancouverites take for granted are the North Shore mountains. Not for their recreational purpose, but rather their navigational one. It is always nice to know where North is at all times; I don't have that luxury here.

Lastly, and most wonderfully, the Strokes (my all-time favourite band) are returning with their new album 'Angles' on March 22nd. They released their first single 'Under Cover of Darkness' today. I love it already, the rhythm section is so slick, and I hear for the first time backing vocals (WHAT?!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwxcQvB_vcQ&feature=player_embedded

Life is busy. New faces and old ones are helping me along this ridiculous ride. Keeping in contact with people back home has been just as important. Thanks for your help.

Aussie Day 2011

January 26th is an absolutely wonderful day to be in Australia. Chooksie's uber-cool friend Andrew Jones invited me to a house party hosted by his brothers. I arrived around 10 am and we just barely beat the rush. Then in typical Aussie form, the house and yard began to fill itself quite quickly. Wave after wave of friendly lovely people introduced themselves to me, initially believing me to be a yank. To quell these rumours, I created a name-tag which stated that I was "Mica from Canada." Funny enough, I gained the name "Canadia" as the day grew longer. Not sure why.

The hospitality of Australians was once again on full display. Truly special stuff. It was also the perfect day weather wise. The sun was golden, spirits were high, and punch bowls were always full. I feel really lucky, that at each of these gatherings I seem to meet people one at a time. In Australia, there is such an emphasis on being outdoors, and in general, on conversation. Only on a few occasions did full fledged dance parties burst out (when they did they rocked), but I was extremely satisfied getting to know everyone. Also, Australia has an incredible tradition that really adds to the excitement of the day...

A national radio station known as the Triple J (kind of like the Peak 100.5 in Vancouver) has the world's largest countdown on Aussie Day. Essentially millions of people vote, and they play the most popular songs on the radio live, from 100-1. Seems simple enough, however it really is a focal aspect of the day. Whatever party you find yourself in, its going to be blasting somewhere. I cannot think of an equivalent in Canada.

The company during the day was outstanding; whether it was Isabelle with the Polaroid, Lloyd and Frances with the Rainbow Fish, GIFE, Myles and Gen with the tennis connection, Katie with the work connection, Beyonce live and in the Flesh.... (I could go on and on)

It was lovely meeting everyone. Australians make it very easy to feel welcome.

Sweet Caroline (Karaoke Version)

Hello Everyone!

It has been a few days, and for that I apologize. However, there is a lot to update you fine folks on. So I figure the best way to do it is to simply list these happenings:

1) I am now employed. I will be a sales representative for an electricity company called Integral. I get to work out of an office in a cool part of town, known as Fortitude Valley. What I liked most about the company was the sense of community they are attempting to create. And for the sake of a 'backpacker' like myself, this is most welcome.

2) Seeing Chooksie was a dream come true. What an amazing woman! We haven't skipped a beat, and I feel so lucky to have met her in the first place. She has a way about her that makes anyone she meets want to know her more. Even at the pub we attended last night, captains and first officers for Emirates airlines were telling me how much they will miss having Chooksie on their flight crew. And I 100% believed them too. We all sincerely love Chooksie, and to see her again has been a revelation.

3) My relationship with Chooksie has had another positive impact. Namely her wonderful group of friends, that have been taking care of me since I arrived in Brisbane. I have shared wonderful nights with them so far, and that is really going to become a common trend.

4) The natural beauty of Brisbane is refreshing. In North Vancouver, I was always in awe of the mountains and the trees. Well Brisbane, predictably has impressed other natural wonders upon me. Firstly, the lush tropical wildlife and flora is surprising me all the time. There are geckos everywhere, giant elaborate spider webs, and even the odd wild turkey. Also, there is a giant toad here called the "cane toad" that was initially brought in as pest removal, namely to remove bugs from the cane itself. Then the cane toad started to eat the cane itself, and is now seen as a tubby, loud, pest of a creature. There are so despised, that gangs of kids are encouraged to walk around with cricket bats, and smash them high into the sky. I will try and get a photo of a big ugly one.

5) Cricket! I really like it. The sports stadium flooded in Brisbane, so there hasn't been any rugby or Aussie Rules Football yet. But I must say, I'm beginning to like this sport. How can you not like a sport where the breaks are literally called 'lunch time' and 'tea time?'

6) The general rule of thumb I have had with Australia is that, things here are twice as expensive (for the most part) but the people get paid twice as much. This is all fine and dandy if you live and work here, but it certainly makes Australia a tough place to travel without work. Unless you are only here for a short while, it appears the work holiday is the place to go.

7) I'm learning slowly and surely how to use Skype. Adding more and more people, so if you feel like adding me my Skype ID is "micaisabroad." Let's catch up soon.

I figure thats about all I can think of right now. I want to say to hello to Sasha, Milan, Mom and Dad. I hope you are all doing well. Sasha, are you getting excited for Australia? Milan, I want to talk to you about the energy company I will be working for. Dad, I wouldn't mind climbing the grind with you in the cold crisp, much-less-humid Vancouver air. And Mom, I hope your friends and work are bringing you a lot of joy.

To the friends, all I can say, is that a surprise is on the way. Lastly, hope Mr. Torres and the History 12 kids are enjoy a good balance, of productivity and grad excitement.

If anyone has any questions, that perhaps I havent answered well, don't hesitate to ask. Toodle loo.

You Make My Dreams Come True

Well, it's been a few days. I have to say so far the trip has really been a series of individuals adventures. Here in Brisbane, I'm starting to get into the flow of things. So much so, that I would even say the last 3 days has had a theme, or in this case a song.

We all remember that Hall and Oates song "You Make My Dreams Come True." With 500 Days of Summer, it rose from the ashes of the early 1980s and reminded us of how care-free true love could be. I swear that song has been in my head for days. But trust me in, it isn't my fault.

1) I've been having wacky dreams (means I'm sleeping well) lately. In one dream, I was on a date in the forest. The date began as a wholesome picnic, with a very 1950s feel. The girl was in a lovely dress, I had my hair parted, the birds were chirping. But at random moments, the dream would become an apocalyptic nightmare. Seriously, it became the Mel Gibson movie, 'Apocalypto.' It was gory and it was disgusting, and then very quickly the carnage would stop and the birds would start chirping again, and it was back to the 1950s picnic. So Strange.

2) Hall and Oates has been playing in the Alexander house. Rob and Jeannine ever started to boogie a bit the other day.

Today, I experienced a tropical 'flash-shower." I was gardening, and the rain just came out of nowhere in buckets. The weather patterns here are so unpredictable. Sun-Rain-Thunder-Sun-Thunder. I would never want to be a meteorologist in the city of Brisbane.

I'm really starting to get a sense for the city of Brisbane, as well as getting to know some of the people. Chooksie has some amazing friends here, and I've been kind of adopted into the group. We are going to do some Karaoke on Friday Night to celebrate Chooksie's return. I still cannot believe I haven't seen her in 5 years. That is incredible.

I hope everyone is well.

Channel Nine Drinking Game

          The Brisbane floods have offered me an accelerated portrayal of Australian life. While in Sydney, the ongoing floods in Queensland were referred to, but never really a topic of conversation. Just as in Canada, Australia is country of great distances and space. Canadians, by and large, live at the southern border, and Australians likewise live by the sea. But there is still great distance between these cities.

          One consistent factor of this flood crisis for me has been the coverage of the Channel 9 News. (essentially the CBC News) Since it is a national station, I have watched the same anchors and reporters in both Sydney and Brisbane. There has been a distinct shift in the “theme” of the coverage pre-flood and post-flood. Essentially, the initial focus was on the ‘worst-case scenario’, a responsible move if you asked me. After all, some of the loss of life was avoidable.

           In the days leading to up the worst of the floods, it came to my attention that the cities of Brisbane had developed a drinking game known as the “Channel 9 Drinking Game.” Essentially, whenever the word “1974” (the year of the last major flood) or “inundated” was said, people throughout the city drank. I initially found it strange, but really who am I to judge?

           We played this game on the evening before Brisbane was hit hard. My friend Willi and his roommate Dan (my newfound Aussie musical soulmate) had water approach their driveway but no closer. One of Willi’s friends Isaac, wasn’t as lucky.

            Isaac and his family had recently moved into a comfortable pleasant suburb known as Auchenflower. That morning, the water level was almost 9 metres above its usual levels; as a result, his entire lower floor was underwater, and 8 feet of his upper floor. His house was completely flooded.

Instead of waiting for the waters to recede, he sprung into action. Within 24 hours, he had an army of willing friends, a boat, and a power generator. He was lucky, because most people have no access to their houses right now. With each passing hour, it makes clean up more and more difficult. I watched in dismay, as older couples with no means of accessing their flooded houses, watched on. It was a bleak situation outside, inside was another story.

           The room of bustling with energy, but I’ll admit, we were initially overwhelmed. Most of the furniture was destroyed, and there was mud and debris everywhere. However, it quickly became obvious that we just had to clean one room at a time. We carried all the debris and ‘rubbish’ to the back porch, and began cleaning. In the video I have posted, I worried that my camera would be ruined in the mess, so you only see the “after” footage. However, I can assure you, the stench was foul, and it seemed an impossible mess.

            By the end of the morning, as Willi put it “the house was looking like a house again.” It was incredible achievement. All these friends, had answered the call, and simply worked hard. One room at a time. One room that really affected me was the baby room; scattered on the floor were books, toys, pictures, and remnants of a crib. I wanted this room to once again be spotless, and spotless we made it. I left that house with such an overwhelming positive energy it was revelatory. I have signed up to continue to clean houses, and hopefully I will be hired for the next few months. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but I’m starting to think that all the grueling landscaping/labour work may have been leading me this way. It’s nice to know, that those skills I developed can be used here. As Isaac put it, “It was overwhelming, and there certainly were tears as the water rose…but in end, we have to start again.”

           

           At this time, I am overwhelmed and amazed at the importance of being a good neighbour. This could have been a terrible day, but it was a glorious day.

Brisbane, Rain, and the year 1974

In Sydney, we had been reading reports regarding the flood 'situation' in Queensland. Small towns were being devastated, and the military was being flown in to assist the residents. TV telethons with Australia's biggest stars were being planned, and the national news offered occasional coverage of the floods. With that being said, there was no indication that Brisbane and its nearby suburbs would be hit hard. So I purchased my $79 dollar ticket, and got on a plane to Brisbane.

Brooke Alexander (usually known as "Chooksie") is one of my favourite people in the world. I can safely say this even though I haven't seen her for 5 years. I often wondered how so much love could come out of one human being. Well, I can say this; after being picked up from the airport by her parents, Jeannine and Rob, I understand where it came from.

As I exited the plane, I saw two adult figures dancing away with excitement. In the car ride, we hadn't even left the airport parking lot when they saw a lonely backpacker looking lost and confused. They pulled up to the young boy, turned out to be a German traveller named Marvin, and demanded that he hop into the car. We drove him to a hostel called the "Yellow Submarine" and then we were on our way; Jeannine sternly warned him "Don't get into any more cars with any more strangers."

Jeannine and Rob have four children. Brooke, Dane, Bill, and Joe. None of the children were home that evening, so I was the first of what is to be a glorious parade. Over the following days, Bill and Joe, (the youngest of the children) both returned, and the house is becoming more and more occupied. Dane and Chooksie are going to be here as well, in little over a week. The excitement level within this house is magical; unfortunately, there are natural forces at work that are out of our control.

The flood crisis has hit Brisbane incredibly hard. The television and radio stations are covering the crisis live 24 hours a day. The downtown core is empty, the buildings have had their power cut off, and emergency crews are everywhere. Two of my other friends have already had to evacuate (we are luckily on higher ground) and the outlook is getting gloomier and gloomier.

My initial prospect of living and working here may need some re-adjustment, but at this point it is too early to tell. Either way, as grim as the situation is outside, I applaud the positivity of the Alexanders in their loving home. Jeannine especially, is a beacon of love and energy, which makes life in a crisis, feel safe as can be.

P.S. You are probably wondering why I included the year 1974 in this post's title. I simply included it because I have never heard the word "1974" said so often in such a short period. This is because there was a similar flood in 1974, which crippled a much less populated Brisbane at the time. This flood is easily going to eclipse that flood in terms of devastation, according to the local media.