Where's Wally?

I've never lived in any other Australian city ever in my life. It was always Melbourne. Over the years, you can't help but grow to take your surroundings for granted. Yea, sure, there was the city and the Yarra running through it, the alley cafes, the clubs; we've rated the best finds from the sushi joints to the chocolate bars, from steakhouses to yumcha in Chinatown, and we know the fastest and smoothest routes to get to anywhere. Desensitised - that's what it was, and not necessarily a bad thing either.

Then I get posted to Brisbane. 3-month project.

What's disorientation? It's half way to Cairns before wondering why the kilometres to Cairns were getting smaller and smaller. Surprise surprise. I was heading towards the Great Barrier Reef and i hadn't even packed my snorkelling gear. Within my first 2 hours, I pulled over for a map check every 73 seconds, threatened to play dodg'em cars with oncoming traffic (thanks to the ingeniously designed one-way streets), and covered as many suburbs as half a tank of petrol would cover before arriving at the apartments.

On the upside, the riverside serviced abode was/is a 2 queen-sized bedroom, ensuite, walk-in robe, living, dining, study, laundry, double TV, and balcony that captures the view of the Brisbane river and city lights. Downstairs - swimming pool, gym, sauna, mini-golf and tennis courts.

I dropped my bags and cried most nights on the first week, and then pulled myself together. Homesick.

After a couple of weeks, i was back in Melbourne with a renewed appreciation. I was home! Bring on the speeding road ragers, the forsaken weather, the icky roadsides and my tiny, ant-filled apartment. Yatta! It was home and i was there... ^_^

Anyhow, i'm back in Brizzy again til the end of November. I can't explain it, but i'm doing heaps better. No more tears. Went exploring last night - the night markets at Southbank Parklands were so super groovy I can't wait to show Gav when he gets here...