I thought that I was only going to write one post before I left for Australia; but now that February 11th is getting closer and closer, I find myself composing posts in my head of all the things I'm anticipating, dreading, and imagining. I'm quickly finding that traveling to another country far from your homeland brings on certain kinds of fears.
For example, my excursion orientation group (the orientation I have with my study abroad group, different from the orientation I will get with my school) will have a day devoted to the Gold Coast and Great Barrier Reef. Amazing, I know!! It gets better: we have the option to snorkel the reef or SCUBA dive around the reef. There's just one hitch: I'm the person who freaks themselves out in swimming pools thinking that a shark is just behind me. What the heck am I gonna do when I'm out in open water known for having sharks?! Not to mention I've never snorkeled or SCUBA dived (dove? Not sure how that goes grammatically...). I'll have to let you know how that one turns out, but then again, if you don't hear from me again you'll know what happened..
Unexpected fear number two: I found out today that I will not have a place to stay for my first night in Australia. My study abroad program provider said that I needed to arrive in Cairns by noon on February 14th in order to receive airport pickup; pretty simple right? Well, silly me thought they meant that if I arrived at 3:30pm on February 13th (before noon on February 14th) that I would receive airport pick-up. Apparently not. I now have to use my savvy (though non-existent) international traveling skills to figure this one out. Anyone have nice friends or relatives who live in Cairns who wouldn't mind putting up an American college student for the night?
Unexpected fear number three: Packing.
Need I say more? I've probably packed and unpacked my suitcase a hundred times in my head. When it comes to physically opening up the zippers and laying out what I will clothe my life with for the next six months, I have a little trouble. (As you can see, the picture to the right is the progress I've made. I figure, if I cover it up, maybe it won't be as daunting?) I know what's essential (socks, underwear, passport), but everything else? Not so much. Never fear though! One way or another, I will have a packed suitcase, personal item, and carry-on bag by Saturday (Oh God, SATURDAY!!).If anyone has any suggestions, be it SCUBA/snorkeling tips, packing pointers, or friends in Cairns, feel free to let me know. Until next time, wish me luck!
