Sunday, August 10, 2008

Australia


Australia - no doubt that this was the most important and best trip of my life. As many of you know, prior to this summer I had been to five out of six of the "inhabited" continents, and never thought I'd make it out to Aussie land so soon. I considered my going to Australia, my sixth continent, a significant lifetime achievement, something that if I died tomorrow might be said about me in a eulogy. The world is a big confusing place and there's an incredible sense of accomplishment and awe over going to every corner of it. It helps you both understand more about other people and ourselves. The idea of "ourselves" as a worldwide people would have been laughable to me just in the California bubble. Also, I guess I've always had a fascination with people - maybe it's because I can't relate to them very well so I have to see and analyze to help me understand.

Another part of the travel is escaping temporary problems in life - or what I perceive to be problems and less fortunate people would view as minor puny setbacks, like Donald Trump's ice division of Trump Corporation going under. I'm such a brat - when guys my age are living in cardboard boxes, hustling for a living, or rotting in rehab, I'm whining about a little bit of nothing.

Anyway, back to Australia.

Melbourne
For my sixth floor roomies, I can report that I got to see our favorite Australian ever, a Miss Anna Jaffe. I can also report that Anna is doing very well. She's as resplendent as ever, even though she won't ever say so. As usual, Anna dodged my picture taking, much like she did around Berkeley. She also was embarrassed by my being so touristy with my huge camera, and demanded I invest in a new one. Anna was also infuriated when I attempted to do a "Steve Irwin"-ish Australian accent - she issued her usual death threats :)

I had the pleasure of being taken around St. Kilda and various parts of Melbourne by Anna and her friend "Procle". Between Anna, Procle, and my Sephardic Jew curls, our presence was like just another day at Temple. Anna and Procle also were mindblowing specimens of this incredible Australian banter and sarcasm we've been hearing about so much in the states. It was a beautiful, constant back and forth sort of "language". As we all know Anna's facility for language, you can imagine how well she performed in the competitive back and forth. If you can imagine anything much the opposite, envision a couple of elderly country folk in the back woods of Tennessee talking about mundane straightforward things in a turtlesque voice. Procle also accused Anna of being "demanding", which of course Anna vehemently denied. Anna was in fact extraordinarily generous, especially allowing me to be so touristy and treating me near the entire day at her insistence.

Some cool things we did included Anna forcing me to drink coffee, despite my strong distaste for the mudlike liquid. She then described how Australian coffee is far superior to any coffee found in the states. Apparently it's not about the beans, but all about the "process". We also went to Luna Park in St. Kilda, which has this legendary mini-Colossus like roller coaster that gives you great views of the beach and St. Kilda. Then the beach. Then a 90 story tower in Melbourne. And a casino...by the way, Anna has developed a severe gambling problem (just kidding Anna). Anna misses you guys, and for Christina, guys and girls. It was an amazing day - thanks again Anna.


Sydney
Absolutely incredible city, just incredible. There's a special feeling that you get being in Sydney that is indescribable. Anyway, I just did the main touristy things, like the Harbours, Opera House, all the requisite buildings and sites, Olympic Park, the Blue Mountains, and Taronga Zoo. Despite all these sites being amazing, what was really incredible for me was just the feeling of being in the city. No other city has quite capitvated me like that before.



Travel Experience/Routing for Qantas and Delta
Los Angeles-Melbourne (747) 23JUL 11:40P-25JUL 7:30A
Melbourne-Sydney (737) 27JUL 6:00A-7:20A
Sydney-Honolulu (763) 30JUL 7:45P-30JUL 9:30A

Qantas was an incredible travel experience from LAX-MEL. Incredible service, incredible entertainment, incredible food, incredible goodies, and the incredible experience of once again flying on a 747 (which I haven't done for a good few years, and not with regularity since flying to New York on Pan Am). It was also extremely strange boarding an international flight right in Los Angeles. I'm so used to having to go through a Delta "gateway" like Atlanta or New York to get somewhere important and global. I also got to experience the "disappearing day" that happens when you cross the international date line overnight

MEL-SYD included a full small breakfast in coach for a 1 hour flight. Wow. After that, I was treated to the beautiful airport that is Sydney's Kingsford Smith.

SYD-HNL was nice. No in-seat entertainment, but still a nice flight.

HNL-LAX connecting on Delta. Late as usual. Finally in first class though, and great service, working in-seat entertainment, and what I thought was a great meal.

The End
I thank God for every one of these incredible experiences. It is such an amazing gift and I'm grateful I've been able to see all that I have so far.
Melbourne:
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