Home Sweet Home

The simple act of having somebody pick you up and drop you off at the airport is such a touching gesture. This is even more evident before or after a long trip. I'll always remember the people who saw me off at Heathrow and it was equally as nice to see my family at Kingsford Smith. It's a strange feeling of disconnect being back in Sydney. To be honest, the void has nothing to do with Sydney but more because of the sudden absence from London. No matter how bad or good the experience anything that occupies that much time in your life is going to have an lasting affect. After catching up with friends and family the reality of it all settled in. I was indeed having London withdrawals, I missed the conveniences and the lifestyle that had dictated the last 3 years of my life.

Since being back, I've come to realise how amazing the city of Sydney really is. The sights, the food, the people. Everything. There is one but...

Everybody here is so settled. I've lost count of the number of weddings, engagements, baby showers and house warmings. I can understand why people here in Sydney engage in these life choices. It, for me, feels like a place to settle down. Heck, even I went through moments where I wanted to get a stable paying job in Australia, save some money, buy property and find a nice girl to set myself up for the proverbial "and they lived happily ever after". So here I am, single, unemployed and with very little to show in terms of achievements over the last two years. Yet as I lie on the couch reacquainting myself with cable TV the memories and experiences from London flashback and make me feel over privileged and lucky to have experienced it all. It's for that reason I need to get out.

The Dirty Bit

Up until recently my mobile phone provider would automatically save all sent and received text messages for my mobile number to an online repository. Think of it as an archive of all SMS communicated to and from your handset. So with the penultimate closing of my London Chapter, it's interesting to read through all the messages that I sent and received. They represent individual moments over the last two and half years. Starting with the initial messages introducing myself to my friends with my new +44 number, moving to the various dinners, catch ups, trips, birthdays, visitors, farewells, drunken text, random messages, congratulations and salutations. With enough thought I can recollect why I sent or why I received each message.

The question that comes up the most is "Why are you leaving?". I'm thankful to not be bound by ultimatums that many expats face, the most common being Visa issues and family commitments drawing them back home. The luxury of being able to decide to leave on your own accord is something that burdens many expats in London. From my experience there are two types of London Expats. The first are those who are in the UK to experience life abroad and dabble in European travel (2-4 years abroad). Secondly are those who have moved to the UK to establish themselves financially, these people usually get caught up with the appeal of Permanent Residence (> 6 years). Given that broad classification I fall into the former of the two.

To be able to travel all of Europe would require determination of epic proportions. For me, the idea of weekend trips no longer excited me and I was content with the amount of European coverage I experienced. The other factor was that of work and lifestyle, I needed a change that could only be satisfied by moving away from London.

With that being said it's only fitting that my final night in London would be spent surrounded by the familiar faces that have made my UK experience enjoyable. The night consisted of a trashy venue (Ruby Blue), cake, shots, conversation and of course, HK Diner. So with the 41 kgs (31 kgs luggage + 10 kg carry on) I left London with a small farewell party at Heathrow. Farewell London!

Bogans of the world unite

Strange that I've never celebrated Australia Day in London. Although after last night I have a suspicion that it is just an excuse for Bogans to let loose, or more possible to let loose of our inner Bogan. Happy Australia Day!


Friday 28th Jan. Last day of work.

Nudie Run Songs

Songs that remind me of London:

Mr Brightside - The Killers

Just a Dream - Nelly

Kickstarts - Example

Dont look down - David Ryan Harris
Do you remember - Jay Sean
Last Request - Paulo Nutini

Different emotions. Different moments. All smiles.

Rumspringa

I speak from an almost wistful point of view. It's taken me somewhat unexpectedly, I always assumed leaving the UK would be a moment of anticipation, excitement and the reunification with all things Australian. The reality of it all is that I'm petrified and riddled with an insurmountable amount of anxiety almost to the point where I'm scrapping the bottom of the barrels for excuses to stay in London.

I fear the monotony of being back in Australia, an Australian in Sydney, that's nothing special. An Australian in London, well that's nothing special either but there was a inkling of uniqueness. Not even that, London was my haven from responsibility and all about living in the now. When I left Sydney I had the expectation of returning, it was an interim in life. Without sounding melodramatic, this could be the last time in London.

With this in mind I roam London with a certain sense of finality. I have limited amount of time and a list of things that I want to do. It's true, I've become a London Tourist! Deciding what to pack is another challenge stirring a lingering sense of nostalgia. Things that I want to bring home and those that I can safely toss out. Each item in my room represents a different time, a different encounter, a different moment. I go through the photos and SMSes since 2008. The LOL moments, outings, random adventures, relationships, work, travel. London was about redlining the human capacity for emotions. A maelstrom of excitement, doubt, laughter, love, appreciation, regret, sadness, betrayal, frustration, anticipation and happiness.

"I want to know if that place that I've been once before. Hasn't ever changed and remains the place that always will be there for me" - Boyz II Men, Flowers Bloom

Basement Affairs

The beginning and end of many nights.

E'gipped

Where do I even begin with Egypt? It almost feels like the whole country has collectively decided to siphon every bit of your hard earned cash. Whether it be the Pound, the Yen or the Greenback the locals share the common occupation of trying to get a hold of your money. Sometimes you're lucky to walk away with some advice, a photo or if you're lucky, a souvenir. I was shocked to see a police man spend 2 minutes of his time to show me one particular vantage point, only to ask for money for his generous time. It's not hard to see why, the main bulk of the population look to be living under the poverty line and a couple of Egyptian pounds here and there can make a world of difference. Still, nobody likes to feel cheated, even if it is only a couple of bucks.

Egypt. Where buffets reign supreme. Where there's a DSLR everywhere you turn. Where it feels like tourism is driving the entire economy. Where a truck breaking down on the side of the road is the norm. Where you feel like that you're a statistic within the number of tourists. Then you see the Pyramids and learn of the rich history and suddenly you realise that being a statistic is all worth it. That the early starts and the habitual bus rides were minor in the greater scheme of things. That the food, the quality of accommodation and the conditions are probably a million times better than what most local Egyptians will ever experience. It's a grounding experience, you feel selfish, insignificant and ungrateful.

Jewels of the Nile Tour with Travel Talk

Day 1 Cairo, Cataract Hotel, Aswan Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, Mycrenos and Sakkara
Day 2 Aswan – Nile Cruise High Dam, Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk
Day 3 Abu Simbel,Aswan, Nile Cruise Komombo
Day 4 Nile Cruise, Edfu, Irish Pub
Day 5 Luxor, Balloon ride over west Bank, Donkey ride Disembark Nile Cruise,Temple of Luxor, Temple of Karnak NEW YEAR GALA DINNER IN LUXOR!
Day 6 Luxor, Cairo Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut,
Day 7 Cairo Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Saladin, Mosque of Mohamed Ali, the Hanging Church, Kahn El Khalili bazaar
Day 8 Cairo, 3rd January 2011

Currently reading 100 Years of Solitude.