Goodbye Newcastle.

Newy, my home for the last 5 months or so. I can't believe I'm leaving. This experience has been unbelievable and I am very lucky to have been able to do this.

I've been so busy trying to do this and that for the past week that it really hasn't even hit me that soon I will be going back to the States, although not too soon. The feelings I've had here were not like the ones I had in England. All that excitement, the anxiety, first going to Oxford was not experienced again for Newcastle. I'm not saying its a bad thing. I think it had to do with time. I only had about two months in Europe, but five months in Australia? There's so much more time and I like this so much better. I had so many firsts: driving on the other side of the road, driving stick, zorbing, living out of a car, accompany a friend to the hospital and laughing about it with him later, hanging out with locals, etc.

There was one big thing that I've learned and accept is that there is never enough time. There are so many things I have yet to explore near Newcastle, like Nelson Bay, town, beaches, etc., but with the time crunch, I wanted to hit more "different" places instead of explore "one" place. The good thing about that is, it means I'm meant to come back. :)

A huge thing that's changed is the beach and me. Formerly did not mesh. "The beach is nice, but kind of a waste of my time." Australia, I don't know what you've done, but all I want to do is go to the beach now! Its funny how things work.

I have always said that Europe is where my heart is. Whatever I do, the end will be me in Europe. I can't say I liked one experience over the other. They were completely different, but nevertheless, both a huge impact in my life. In England, I realized what I like and what I don't like. Australia was to test it out and I don't know where my heart truly belongs. But I'm ok with that. I'm at the point in my life where I just want to test everything out.

Unfortunately, since I was in a rush packing and doing my part in cleaning my unit, I hadn't had enough time to say goodbye or see the friends I've made, but I guess that means we're suppose to see each other again. (Hopefully.) As relevant as pictures are, they are some of the last pictures in Newy, and I like them. :)

 

 

(Photos from Rachel.)

As sad as I am, I am equally excited for my next adventure. After we leave Sydney in two days. I'm going to backpack, with some of the friends I've made at Uni, Southeast Asia for a month. That's four weeks in seven countries with only seven kilos on my back, and whatever else I can manage to sneak on the plan. I've travelled my whole life, thanks to my parents, and its just a dream come true to be able to continue doing it.

The thing I'm looking most forward to is the food. :)