Home on the Range

The last few weeks have been so fantastic to say the least. We've been here at Carnarvon for about 3 weeks now, and I've just been so enjoying living in this new place.

Anyone that was expecting new locations every week and jam-packed-ultimate travel blogging well...that's just not happening right now. For now, I'm still getting used to working from 7:30-16:00, doing laundry every other day, and living on this beautiful property in the Australian bush.

It also takes getting used to the fact that we truly haven't left the homestead for 3 weeks. Most days are spent between the cottage, the schoolroom, and the family house and a night out always includes a barbecue and perhaps rum and Coke's on the verandah, rum and Coke's by the fire, or rum and Coke's looking at the stars. Basically if you're into rum its a great place to be.

The newness definitely keeps me from getting stir crazy...but even 6 months from now I have a feeling I'll still be just as floored by the amazing sunrises, beautiful sunsets, and those giant stars that make you feel completely insignificant and utterly special at the same time. And truly, it isn't just the scenery. The folks here just blow me away every day, just the absolute easiest people to get to know. It probably helps that we're the only people around to get to know, but I fancy us quite an amiable bunch.

Right now I couldn't be happier that I'm doing what I'm doing. This is how I love to 'travel'. I like to go and experience what real life is like in a new place. I like to go to local supermarkets, ride public transit, go to a movie theater, try and figure out Southern-Hemisphere constellations. Bond with the wildlife sharing my cottage, be chased around the yard by the cow, realize how muddy everything gets when it rains, get stranded here because of said rain, shoot guns and make moonshine. Just normal stuff. And right now, I'm just in this perfect position to appreciate all the little things not mentioned in travel guides and must-see lists.

But you're reading this and really in need of a travel tip? Find some people, sit around a fire, tell embarrassing stories, discuss questions big and small, share some music and laugh. This ritual is literally one of the earliest things that made us human. You'll feel the rightness in your DNA.