Ventures into the Wilderness

On Saturday night we ventured into the Wilderness of Suffolk Park - suburb just south of Byron Bay. Wanted to go to pub to watch NRL (description of what this is would make an entire chapter on it's own, suffice to say that it is a type of Sport). Even though Byron Bay and Suffolk Park are only 10 minutes drive apart, was like entering different world. Firstly realised was only female in entire room. The men were all wearing slim fit jeans (not a great look in combination with beer-belly, or indeed, at any time at all), ordering beef-steak-burgers-with-extra bacon-and-a-New-thanks-mate, and saying things like "the Mrs" when referring to female partner /wife.

Today, Sunday, ventured out for drive to check out our water supply. This is of course the sort of thing everyone does on a Sunday. There was also going to be an Event out by Rocky Creek Dam (the water supply dam), aimed at rainforest restoration. Alas...

Not again!!! For people living in a subtropical rainforest, some of us seem a little overly concerned with the weather... also, did not rain all day.

Went for walk around area anyway. Looked clean enough! Plenty of "Lock the Gate" signs around these parts, we all had better hope mining companies do not gain access and turn dam into lethal fracking-fluid cocktail.

Observe the ducks (merrily swimming in our drinking water)!

Finished off morning with trip to Nimbim, apparently the pot-smoking-capital of Australia. Village itself is really cool, eccentric looking with loads of personality and plenty of access to free-range eggs and herbal teas - unfortunately not all that friendly in atmosphere. Got the feeling that, whether it wanted to or not, the town attracted aficionados of substances slightly heavier than pot - a group likely to be seriously against any form of tourism. Add backpackers trying to buy joints plus law of supply and demand and so on - resulted in married 30-something-couple from Byron (myself and Hubby) legging it back to their Commodore after finishing soy lattes, squealing "NO, I don't want any bloody weed!"

Here is the pretty town-centre:

Blogging away!

Have been searching the internet today to locate interesting blogs to follow - from an expat point of view. Have added loads of links. Looking forward to reading all of them! Also, thanks for the comments!

In Bikram Yoga class this morning, the teacher read out a quote from one of her yogi-books - of course cannot remember the whole thing, but gist of it was: "You can make a conscious decision to be happy, to embrace challenges; and what is the goal in life - if not to find happiness at any cost?"

Noticed that a couple of people mentioned feeling guilty about living overseas. That is a shame. We have all ended up where we have ended up - perhaps it was not even a choice; at some point it went beyond that. Realise it might just be me, but everytime I fly across the equator heading south, it's like a fog lifts. Feels like something shifts, like the flick of a switch - like I have arrived where I was supposed to be all along. It can be tricky indeed to shake that feeling that life ought to be hard, ought to be a struggle, ought to consist of lists and lists of have-to's - but if you suspect that you are living in Paradise, why keep wishing you were elsewhere? Just enjoy the ride.

On a more personal note, in my experience it gets easier. People worry that things will get more difficult, you will miss home more, you will feel even more guilt. You won't.

Anyway, do not mean to sound depressing on an otherwise lovely Friday evening. Let's collectively decide we are Happy with a capital H - here is a picture of a cute cat from Bangalow to help us achieve our goal:

Phew! Crises averted.

Besides Yoga and pondering the Blogosphere, today had plumber here to install new dishwasher. Was going to have a crack ourselves, but instruction leaflet proved to be practical joke put there by sadistic German engineers. Thus, was easier to ring plumber. Actually rang a few days ago, but all plumbers in Byron Shire have been extremely busy. They are still busy, in fact - ours had to run out the door before being able to look at a leaky cistern - to attend to "an emergency." All this is a mystery to me. Better be careful around the Byron Shire, seems we have a pipe-breakage-epidemic!

Popped down to the Beachy, pub by Main Beach, to catch up with lovely girl Louise - another Swedish import. Have discovered we come from very different backgrounds. Dancing on streets and sleeping on beaches (Louise) versus hysterically running around world looking for a career whilst never risking waking up without immediate access to hot shower and cup of coffee (me). Yet that is part of the magic of this corner of the world - we came from different places, but now we are in the same place. Geographically, and mentally.

(Am still somewhat mad, but getting there..!)

Beachy -

9 Years!

Today is first day of spring here in Australia. Very thankful that we will have to put up with ridiculous temperatures hovering around a mere 18 degrees no more! Hurrah for 30 degrees and 98% humidity! Am not being sarcastic, no, really mean it. Love, love, love hot weather; always struggled through Swedish (and English) winters with ice-blocks where feet should have been.

Extra special day for us today - have been a couple for NINE years. No mistake, N-I-N-E. Met, obviously, on the "first day of spring" in 2002. One could say it was a bit of a slow start. Was all very romantic, don't get me wrong. After a few hours of shooting sambuca at appalling Sydney club which none of us would have normally frequented - ended up walking home in morning just as sun was rising. Exchanged numbers - and the rest, as they say, is history. Then, after approximately 4 - 5 years we started to feel like we were on to a good thing. And now here we are!

To celebrate this momentous occasion we decided to enjoy lunch down by Main Beach.

(friendly dog)

Finished lunch with coffee and, hrm, cheesecake (am aware it contains dairy thank you very much, but cheesecake is still one of my favourite sometimes-foods) at Twisted Sista Cafe - where our order number was... 9! Was amazed, this was definitely a good sign, definitely meant everything was in tune, energies flowing our way, etcetera - strangely, hubby did not understand what the fuss was about.

In other developments, have focused more energy on establishing veggie-patch. Unfortunately it has become clear that I have not inherited my grandmother's green thumb. Living things, with the heartbreaking exception of weeds, seem to wither and die under my loving care. Got some advice from a guy selling organic seedlings at the Farmers Market, who recommended some super-ultra-special-nothing-short-of-magical soil you can order from a place in Ballina - said and done, this garden had better grow!

From Seedling to Veggie Garden:

Watch this space...

A Wedding Album

On New Years Eve 2009 me and hubby celebrated signing our lives away, to each other! Was very happy occasion, ever since then have been planning to put together a Wedding Album. And now, finally, at long last, better late than never, and so on: we are Getting Round To It..! Most of the photos are not as great as had remembered, some suggest party was quite the drinking bash rather than civilized affair that I recollect. Odd.

Fact is, we legally tied the knot a little while prior to actual wedding party. Simply had to weigh cost of hiring celebrant on New Years Eve, against being able to spend a couple of grand more on beer. And so it happened that we got legally married on a rainy Tuesday afternoon in November of -09, at the Registry Office in Sydney. A few photos from this day exist, was just looking through them.
One of hubby signing piece of paper. One of me signing piece of paper. One of best man signing piece of paper. One of bridesmaid signing piece of paper. Then one that hubby proceeded to take of a pigeon eating vomit at the bus stop right outside Registry Office. Romantic? Well, we got to keep the pen!

But our real wedding day will always be New Years Eve, that was the day we exchanged rings and provided our closest friends with too much booze and not enough food. That was the day I worried myself sick over the weather forecast (it didn't rain!), and forced my feet into my something-borrowed high heels. In the end everyone had a blast and partied all night. Bride ended up falling asleep on couch around 5am, Groom fell asleep in backyard after not being able to locate Bride. A good night!

Could not really have traditional, formal, due with all the bells and whistles when most of my family and all of my friends from before the year 2002 are in Sweden. So we did it our way - and would not change a thing. Was a backyard wedding on the tiniest budget one can imagine - yet my mother and stepfather (especially flown in from Sweden for the occasion) said it was the BEST wedding they had ever been to.

Here are my fave snaps from the day...

Hinterland, More People at Door & a Walk

After a rainy one yesterday (mostly spent on lounge watching sub-par movies) was great to wake up to brilliant sunshine today! Last Sunday of every month is "market day" in Bangalow - so hopped into the Commodore to check it out - unfortunately:

Might just mention that an Aussie driving a Commodore is kind of like a Swede driving a Volvo, that is to say - it's a little bit funny.

So went for lovely drive around our beautiful hinterland, through Coorabell and Federal. Here is a picture of the very cute Federal town-centre...

Observe how here is everything one might need: Post office, Bottle shop, Petrol and a Cafe. "The Chatterbox Cafe" actually makes a very respectable Soy Flat White.

Hubby did most unbelievable thing on way home. Picked up a hitch-hiker! Everybody knows you must never hitch-hike OR pick up hitch-hikers anywhere in rural Australia. This has the potential to be very dangerous and to end up as a based-on-actual-events horror-movie. So hubby was chatting away to, admittedly pleasant looking, hitch-hiker - whilst I was running some possible negative scenarios inside head, one involving a machete. Miraculously, we made it to Byron in one piece.

Was thankful to be alive so was naturally feeling very agreeable when, lo and behold, ANOTHER person shows up at front door! Is unusual as we do not yet know many people; but let me also explain about the driveway. From street level, you could actually miss the fact that there is a house here. Should you still spot house, through dense greenery that literally grows as you are watching it (a gardeners nightmare) - you will soon discover the Everest-type steep driveway, and should thereby be discouraged and leave. Everyone that makes the trip up said driveway says the same thing: "My my, that is a steep driveway - good exercise going up that!" Hmm, yes. Agreed. Is ever better exercise to sweep the damned thing.

Where is the house..?

But I digress. This time, was asked by mystery-guest to take part in Morgan Poll (Roy Morgan Research). The Morgan Poll is, apparently, the most widely accepted Australian opinion poll there is. And was only going to take a few moments. Fabulous!
Of course, wish to do my part and ensure I make a "significant contribution to social and political decision-making and project development in Australia"! 45 minutes later was starting to feel slightly less enthusiastic, and when I was finally done politely declining to discuss my income and / or bank balance as well as admitting to having drunk eight out of ten types of booze in the past week - immediately rung up Swedish Neighbour to warn her of impending doom. She has two kids under the age of three, and certainly no time to contribute to statistics in a meaningful way...

Ended up going for walk in Wategos Beach with Neighbour - who was quite keen to take a break from house, toddler and baby. In conclusion, Wategos this evening:

The Byron Bay Lighthouse:

Bikram & Beaches

Went down to Belongil Beach this morning, which is location of Yoga Studio! A word on Bikram Yoga: Tough! Not just lying down on floor breathing and sighing - this is exercise. Yet, much more enjoyable. Let's just say I have been to the gym exactly twice - around 8 years ago. Only went the second time because had purchased pre-paid card with 10 classes on it. Am quite sure the final eight are beyond their expiry date by now. Anyway - Bikram... Love it!

Weather is just right at the moment; one can enjoy a couple of hours of reading on the beach, in full sun, which in two months time you would have to be positively suicidal to attempt. Belongil Beach today:

Finally a Happy Snap from Main Beach today:

Am off now to make a couple of vegan dips to go with my preservative free, locally brewed, beer. Happy Weekend!

Farmers Markets and then some Chosen Words

Thursday is shopping-day. On this day we rise early so we can arrive at the Farmers Markets - Every Thursday in Byron Bay - before the crowds. Have got quite the routine worked out where we stop at avo-dude, banana-dude (who also sells sweet potatoes and pumpkin), coriander-dude, egg-man (not vegan yet as completely trust that egg-man treats chickens with love and respect), ginger-lady and coffee-stand. A few other items get picked up along the way, but these are the main stops.

Love idea of Farmers Market. So lucky here! Went to Sweden in June for three weeks, and had completely forgotten what the shopping experience there is like. Sad looking vegetables, fruit and herbs shipped from half-way around the world and sold at premium prices. Mind, Farmers Market not exactly BiLo - but atleast is very fresh... Unfortunately still have to get some stuff from Woolies - or should I say the Corporate Evil of all Evils, except maybe Coles. Am amazed the poor supermarket stays afloat in spite of all locals vehemently denying ever shopping there..? Must be all the day-tripping Queenslanders.

So got back home - stocked fridge with broccoli and cupboard with lentils, brewed some organic-pesticide-free Bangalow Coffee and sat down with the Byron Shire News... When something very unusual happened..! Someone at the door! TWO people at the door. After some quick thinking realised they had definitely seen me through the glass-screen that serves as front-door, so had to get up and open. As you probably already guessed: Jehovah's Witnesses. Could only do what any chilled out spiritual individual would do in such a situation: Smile kindly and explain that the Watchtower is not a publication which is... well... my thing. Door closed firmly.

After they left I thought of something to say! WHY is it always like that? Have been meaning to ask why it is that if they KNOW Jesus and Co are only going to take 144,000 of them into Heaven - isn't it indeed silly, not to say stupid, to keep recruiting more competition - thus reducing ones own chances of being one of the chosen few? Perhaps I am just selfish?

Whenever I come into contact with door-knocking Witnesses I must always tell the same anecdotal story about my stepmother who, when woken up by someone (guess who) knocking on her door in spite of sign saying "Do not disturb, nightshift worker," fetched a shotgun (loaded or otherwise), opened the kitchen window and shouted a few well chosen words.

I would never behave in such a way. Not anymore. Don't think so anyway. Might. Not sure.

Time to meditate.

This is the start!

I feel that I ought to be honest. After all, I want this new commitment to writing to start out on the right foot.

But first, a quote.

Do what you do when you're doing it, And don't do what you're not doing when you're not doing it.

Back to the issue of honesty then. The truth is, am not exactly sure what I would like to say on this blog, and who I would like to say it to. This blog may
A. Be about travelling in Australia, particularly the east coast (specifically north-east NSW - it's pretty limited come to think of it!) - with tips about Byron such as where you can get the best Fairtrade Soy Latte or the most hardcore Yoga, intended for an audience.
B. Be a diary, no intended audience.
C. Be a commentary on current affairs and politics, to be widely publicised.

Amazing how writing something down brings clarity to the mind. Thinking a combination of A and B. What about C you ask? Come on, was only joking!

With the risk of sounding like a hopeless cliché - in short I have done this: Partied too much, studied for too long, moved to London to try my hand at a career - found it to be soul-destroying poppycock - partied too much again, moved to Amsterdam, found some zen, travelled, got married, tried the corporate world once more - once more found same to be huge disappointment, packed bags and moved to Byron Bay - and... wait for it... Decided to, somehow, write for a living..!

This is the start.

I am a firm believer in visualisation. Can't wait to see where to from here.

Good News

Good news.

I have decided to revive the Blog. I am writing for fun, because I think I am good at it and I'm hoping to one day write for a living.

It's been a while since I posted anything, and life has definitely changed...

I'd like to run commentary on life in Australia, so far away from home - travels, both within Australia and abroad, as well as narrating daily life in Byron Shire (and what it is that makes lots of like-minded people gather in one spot - is it really a coincidence when this happens?).

You have to start somewhere!

xx
Anna

An Old Zen Joke

Found this - brilliant! An Old Zen Joke: "Don't just do something! Sit there!"

Another birthday. This is the sort of thins one remembers. Craig treated me to two dinners last weekend. And a breakfast, as he pointed out last night when I summarized my birthday. Indeed! Found a fantastic pancake place in Jordaan.

Martin sent me an article in which I am featured! I will here post the parts which feature me - the article is really very long and is about long- and short term memory.

Years back, I spent about 3 hours entrenched in ferocious battle with then girlfriend about something I can no longer recall. After we had stormed the exact same emotional beachfront for the nth time, I demanded a cease-fire, declaring, “Babe, I am tired, and I have work tomorrow. I am going to sleep. We can continue hating each other in the morning.”

Her gorgeous frost-blue Scandinavian eyes narrowed into cracks on a glacial field.

“You do that. Go to sleep. And I’ll cut your balls off.”

Slept in the RAV 4 that night. With the doors locked. And the garage entrance bolted. And a male chastity belt equipped (basically, hands-over-testicles). Terrible nightmares of Laurena Bobbit winning the Nobel Peace Prize and Thai women feeding penises to poultry. But at least I still sing the National Anthem as a baritone.

Relationship endured over 18 tumultuous months and 3 bruising continents. Ended somewhere in southern Sweden when she punched me in the face, kicked me down a flight of stairs, and ejected my suitcase, clothes and person into 8 inches of snow at 2 in the morning, after I had inquired (quite naively I now admit) just how many guys had she been with before me anyway.

She wrote me an email recently, after about 4 years of non-communication, claiming she had nothing but fond recollections about us. No mention of the “I’ll cut your balls off”, or the “Go to hell”s, or the “I’ll see you in hell”s, or even the “If I see you in hell, I’ll cut your balls off”. Funny how time distills all things.

... (extremely long passage about other things)

The mind is an amazing place, and if our memories tend to be selective, it does not make it a less perfect space, just a more human playground. I hope to bump into all my friends in this area and share a collective emotional resonance. And if my ex-girlfriend is there, too, I’d like to give her a hug. But just in case, my RAV 4 is going to be parked pretty near as well.

Copyright? Martin Valdes.

Brought back a lot of memories of good times! Or so it seems now. It really does. For the record, I didn't kick him down any stairs, I think I kicked him first and then he ran down the stairs and out the door.