Looking Back....

My hands were shaking, the hives had developed on my stomach. Nerves were spiking through my body sending signals that I did not know how to read. After months of exams, interviews, waiting, pulsing, the rotary dial phone finally rang and I pounced on it. One minute later I was out the door running down the street to find my family whom were watching the Santa Clause Parade.

I was going to Australia! I accomplished my dream and became a Rotary Exchange Student in 1995/96.

The most proud moment of my life is when I was 16 and became a Rotary exchange student. I spent the year of 95/96 in Brisbane living with the Linehan family. They are the reason why we came back to this wonderful country.

When I was 17, The Linehan's took me in, cuddled me like family, and bought me a huge Koala bear to wipe my homesick tears on. I lived with them and they taught me and loved me so much. I spent the year playing rugby and trying to get away with not going to actual real classes. Instead the teachers would find me in the school's climbing gym, kayak pool, or tennis court. I did attend art class, phys-ed, and Outdoor Education (this is where I first really got into the outdoors). Brisbane All Girls Grammar School. A school so posh that we would of had to make an appointment and buy new clothes in order to show Mike around the campus.

I can't believe it took 13 years to come back to my second home. Mike and I spent 3 weeks in and around Brisbane. Showing him all the sites and having the flood of great memories coming back. We stayed with my host parents and it was like I never left. Still taking care of me, teaching me and loving me. They lived on the outskirts of town so Mike and I had great training, riding in the country hills. Although saying that, Linda my host Mom cooked us many brilliant meals that the training was counter productive and my clothes have shrunk.

I was laughing to myself while riding the first time to their house as I was on the very road that Liam, my host dad, would not let me cycle on when I was 17. As soon as we arrived at the house he warned us of the snakes, spiders, leaving eggs out, any food that will spoil in the heat (salmonella), of cyclones and that I made sure I had his phone number on me all of the time. Aaaah sweet! Liam hasn't changed! I missed them!

We spent countless hours daily on the back deck listening to the Kookaburras laugh, trying to spot Kangaroo's and elusive poisonous brown snakes that Liam convinced us were there. Liam still talks as much as he always did. He can carry on a conversation like no one. I am convinced that this could be my break in life if only I would stay; follow him around with a video camera and develop his own Reality T.V. show. Is he ever funny! Nightly he had us taste testing every white, red and champagne (sparkling) that Australia has ever made only to be topped the next evening by a selection of Australian beers.

Jenna my host sister lives in the heart of Brisbane with her partner John. We also spent days with the two of them. Exploring the city and Southbank. Southbank is the coolest downtown with a huge man made beach in the middle with a massive swimming area. There are also unbelievable bike paths and Mike and I were lucky enough to meet Heather from Warmshowers. We had an incredible meal with her and Lyndsey and a sleep over.

When we first arrived in Australia, we landed in Sydney and stayed with Rose and Marcin whom we had met in New Zealand. It was fantastic. I was very excited because my great friend from home Sara Norris came to travel with Mike and I for 10 days. It was great! While with Sara we rented a car and found a bike rack for $15 at Salvation Army. Jenna donated us a spare tent. Traveling the coast here is sweet because every 100 km's they have driver reviver stops with free coffee. Granted it is instant but I was trying not to be too picky. Sara brought us many gifts from home. Caremelo coffee beans from my sister (later bashed to death because we didn't have a grinder then put through a food processor) We tempted the locals with Kraft dinner. Our first night of camping we woke up to wild monkeys in the trees at 4 am, later confirmed to be Kookaburra birds. The second night we discovered the killer toads and the happy loving toads but I had forgotten which were which. We took turns taking guard while going to the bathroom. Liam and Sara would get along great both being experts on what can kill us in this country. We explored many beaches up and down the East coast making our way to the Whitsunday Islands redeveloping our Slurpee addiction.

(OK- Serious question: Is Winnipeg still surviving as Slurpee capital of the World without us there?)

We spent 3 days on board a tall ship sailing boat and had a blast with the crew and other passengers snorkelling and eating. We had to wear stinger suits. This time of the year there are dangerous jelly fish present. We actually experienced some very rough weather and had to cling on so as not to go sliding off of the deck. The 13 of us on board then partied in Arleigh beach and I am proud to say two things; Firstly, I started the dancing once again and second; while staying at our cooks boy pad that Winnipeg does not have a pin in the World map that decorates the room beside his bedroom. Thus keeping his score tally from the sucker tourist who he wooos on the boat. Keep it up Winnipeg!

The three of us took surfing lessons and had a blast together. I have been friends with Sara since we had safety pins running up the inside of our jeans and I hair sprayed my bangs to stand up on end while I was at the beach.

I am writing this on the airplane on our way to Singapore. It was sad to leave.. I will forever be grateful to my host parents for being so amazing and being a large part of who I am today. My love of travel and adventure has expanded ever since. Yes Liam, I promise to be careful and watch for cars and not suck out snake bites. I will wear shoes outside, not drink the water or eat old salmonella food. I won't talk to strangers or accept food from them. (okay maybe not those last ones)

I may never know the difference between a $50 bottle of wine or a $5 bottle. What I do know is that we will be back sooner then 13 years.