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!
I've been snorkling at the Great Barrier Reef! Granted, it was a long time ago, but I still did it. I wouldn't worry so much about the sharks. The excursions out to the reef generally include so many people that sharks would rather stay far, far away. Not to mention the fact that (at least when I went) there was a scuba group that went into deeper waters and a snorkle group that stayed more shallow. They generally rope off the areas with buoys, so it's not like you can just wander off and get lost.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have a friend that lives/studies in Australia. We kinda lost contact when she moved, and her FB says she's in New Zealand, but her address is still in Australia. Regardless, I can ask her if she could talk to you? It might be nice to get another student perspective.
My only suggestion that I remember is pack both warm and cold clothes. I visited Australia in June -- it was freezing in Sydney and Newcastle, but I was scavenging for shorts and a tank when I was in Caines. Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip, keep in touch and I love you!
It sounds like snorkeling might be the way to go for me. I was planning on doing the "SCUBA 101" crash course just to see how I did with all that and then make an assessment.
DeleteThanks for sending me KT's Facebook info~I sent a friend request and I'm waiting to hear back. I'll probably send her a message today with some questions! haha
I'll have to let you know how the packing goes. It will most certainly be in the next post!
Thanks for all your help, Amy~truly a Godsend! <3
Make sure you have an outlet adaptor for your phone.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you're not comfortable buying them there, stock up on feminine products.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Protege-All-In-One-Adaptor-Plug/17472590
Thanks! I have two adaptors, one my friend who studied in NZ let me borrow and one my parents got me for Christmas. They look a lot like the one you sent me the link for. Hopefully, I'll be set~I don't think I use that many things with outlet dependency (but you never know how much you use until you can't use it anymore haha).
DeleteI think I might wait on the toiletries until I get there. I don't think I'm really high maintenance when it comes to those things (three years working at a Boy Scout camp will do that to ya!).
I'll keep you updated! :)
"A great white shark killed an American diver in the second fatal shark attack off Western Australia in 12 days. A witness on a dive boat saw "a large amount of bubbles" before the 32-year-old man surfaced with obviously fatal injuries, Western Australia police sergeant Gerry Cassidy said. People on the boat described the shark as a 10ft great white."
ReplyDelete---www.guardian.co.uk
I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Rebekah.
DeleteP.S.-Excuuuuse me for having to delay my response to your oh-so-helpful post to go to the Orthodontist. How insensitive of me ;)
glub glub
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