Anne's blog travel 06-07

Wednesday March 7th 2007

Had a lovely few days despite the showers. Yesterday was a great day. I slept in until 7am and had a lazy shower, stretch and breakfast while writing my diary. Went to Spirit Gym by 9:15am for the Body Combat class taught by Lisa. It's a cardio workout to very vigorous music using lot's of foot movement, upper body jabs, crosses, upper cuts, hooks (boxing terms) and kicks. It's a lot of fun for a change from running. Then I did the following class called Dynamic Stretch for an hour. Perfect mix of classes. I powered home for a shower before meeting Karlee in Byron at O'Sushi. We went to the midday representation of "Music and Lyrics" at the cinema (cheap day) then had a coffee and a chat. By the way, it's a romantic comedy and if you like laughing...it's well worth it.

I did a few things in town (emails, errands) and went home thinking I had a perfect day. Sounds silly but I couldn't think of a way I could have had a better day. Meanwhile I'd gotten completely soaked when riding the few minutes back home. But after a night of rain, we managed to train this morning at 6am-7am on the beach without getting wet despite the heavily overcast skies.

I still have no real clue what I'm doing but today marks the beginning of the second week at the unit. I noticed a few things which are quite interesting. Many people (strangers) are commenting on my motorcycle. I have had at least four comments recently. "Geez, that's a nice bike." or two men walking past looking back at me arriving at the bike: "Are you really going to ride that?"...."yeah..." I guess thinking the bike was pretty big. Or "Oh sorry, just looking at your bike". It's strange because of course my bike is lovely but I've had it for 3.5 years now and I'm sure I didn't get that many comments before. Maybe it's the clean up Rodney gave it before returning it to me (what a friend, ey?).

Otherwise the other thing which is worth noting is that people here can talk to you just like that. I went to buy some Umeboshi plums at the health food store after my chinese herbalist recommended I used some. The young blond long haired surfie type man at the register (about 23-25 years old) starts asking me about the plums. Some people in shops may talk to you elsewhere but without real interest but this guy was really interested in the subject or just in talking. "Oh you mean they are salty? that's weird...salty plums". I tell them that Japanese use them a lot in their diet and the label seems to indicate they have some healthful properties. "Otherwise, fermented things are not supposed to be that good for you" he says. I wonder to myself if he doesn't drink beer which is also fermented. "But, some fermented things like Miso are supposed to be good for you although it should never be boiled." I tell him. And so the conversation goes for a while with no apparent concern for the time. There is something really casual about people here. I remember coming back from overseas years ago and stepping into a pharmacy (we call them chemist here). I can't recall what I needed to buy but the lady showed me to the product and then while squatting down just lets herself sit on the floor, looks at me and tells me: "I'm really tired today." and proceed to tell me she went to bed really late the night before, as if she was my friend. I remember thinking that I really liked that about Australia and Australians.

Bye for now