Although it seemed it was never going to happen, here I am, in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Last year I had the opportunity to come, but finally because of the economical situation in Spain it was not feasible. However, last February I received the confirmation from the Spanish government: I was going to spend three months in Australia!!
Every now and then the same question, "When are you going to Australia?" or even "Have you enjoyed your stay in Australia?". People lose track of time, and even to me it seemed like a future experience... but time flies and that future experience is part of what I am now.
So far everything is great, the people, the city, the weather, my great flatmates... everything is amazing!! But I have just arrived, so let's postpone my opinion about all that for some time.
About the trip... well... you can imagine, exhausted, even 40 hours after arriving I still feel a bit jet-lagged and confused. In the last 72 hours I have taken 4 different planes, 2 buses, 1 car, around 19200 km, stepped on 4 different countries (Spain, England, Singapore, and Australia) and three different continents (Europe, Asia, and Australia). By the way, with this trip I have been to the five continents!! I know Antarctica is another continent... but it is scarcely populated and the chances of going there on a scientific expedition are quite small.
Fortunately no turbulences, neither weird landings nor taking off's, no delays, no lost baggage, so a very smooth trip. Things to highlight... I have lost (although I think someone has stolen from my hand luggage while in the lavatory) the camera, something you really need in such a exotic place as Australia. But especially interesting was the conversations with Jason, the man by my side during the last stage (Singapore-Sydney). Really interesting person who is travelling next week to Spain!! So I suggestted a couple of places to visit, Granada and Úbeda included, of course! Really nice information, so a good example of what I have found so far in Canberra, great people always looking forward to helping you, especially if you are a stranger and you feel a bit lost (as it is my case ;)
Once in Australia, the 4-hour bus trip to Canberra was really nice, I couldn't sleep because I didn't want to miss a thing. Everything is new here, the landscapes, the trees, the birds, literally EVERYTHING! Something that really got my attention was the sporadic explanations from the bus driver about where to eat, the population of the cities we drove by, interesting landscapes, etc....
And in Canberra... let's say it is an interesting city. You need a car for everything (shopping, going to work, etc), as everything is far from where you are... well, a 20 minute-drive ;). However that makes the city a very quiet one, with green parks, and trees, and residential areas well spread around the city.
Little by little I will get used to it, so I'll be able to speak properly about the city and how is life ''down under''.
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