I prepared for the border control, sharks and an unknown future. I felt like I was very well prepared when I moved to Australia. I did some research and I went over every scenario in my head. But here's seven things I didn't see coming.
The loneliness
I spend a lot of time alone here in Australia. I’ve only been here for a short time and I know I’ll get some friends here eventually. I just want them now! I’m an extremely outgoing and social introvert. Not too many people know that I’m actually introverted. I love my alone time and I enjoy my own company a bit too much.
But I miss having a group of friends. The very different time zones are making it difficult to talk to friends and family back in Norway. When I can talk they're all at work, and when they can talk, I’m sleeping. I found myself alone in a restaurant, looking around and being a bit envious of all the tables with two or more girlfriends laughing and eating together.
When you've just become single all can you see is happy couples. Well, all I see is girls having fun together. Everywhere!
I miss my friends back home and there has been plenty of moments where I enjoyed a view and thought “oh, my friend should’ve been here to see this” I also miss my parents and grandmother so much.
Near death experiences every day
So, they drive on the opposite side of the road here. Every time I cross the road I look the wrong way and I start walking.
Hostile bugs
I prepared for sharks, spiders and snakes. They are seriously nowhere to be found! M.I.A. and gone with the wind. I’ve seen one spider that I though was huge, @lukemcleod laughed at both the spider and me. It was probably the great great great grandchild of the grown up spiders here.
But what I didn’t prepare for was the cockroaches. They are everywhere. I think the roaches that live close to my house have special skills. They can jump, dance, fly, swim, break glass, open jars and read! I seriously think they’re reading my diary. I’m not scared of them, I just don’t like them very much because I think they are dirty. They are nocturnal, and I usually go to bed around 9. That means that they are having a house party in my crib when I’m sleeping. I don’t like the thought of them crawling over my face at night. I try to keep my mouth closed. When I go for a walk in the dark I hear an occasional crunchy sound under my shoes, and I know what it is. The ones on the streets are seriously the size of hamsters on steroids. The ones that are inside my house are small, but still very annoying.
Becoming homeless
I had a place lined up for me to live in, in Byron Bay. Long story short, the place was not suited to live in. So I ended up living in an expensive hotel and an even more expensive Airbnb. I couldn’t sleep much because I always worried about where I’d go the next day. I moved to Manly, a Sydney suburb instead of being homeless in Byron Bay.
Different constellations
Stupid as I am, it didn’t cross my mind that I would see other stars and constellations now that I live in the southern hemisphere. I sat down next to @joshstinton and told him how nice it was to be able see the same sky as back home. Well, he told me that it wasn't the same. And that make sense as I moved from the top of the globe to the bottom of it. The world's ass.
The overwhelming feeling of freedom
I feel so free. The fact that a friend could talk me in to moving to another city within minutes and 12 hours later I was there, is amazing! I love that I own just enough to fill a suitcase. I could pack up my entire apartment and leave it within five minutes. I also sold anything of significance back in Norway. I have no commitments anywhere in the world right now. How great is that? I don't even have any bills. (I pay rent and I have a prepaid phone plan.) I know this sounds hippie, but I really think my possessions were owning me, instead of me owning them.
Becoming even more independent
I've always been very independent. When I was a kid, all I wanted was to grow up as soon as possible.
I now feel like I don't need anything or anyone. Not sure if I think it's a good or bad thing. Time will tell.
If you're dreaming about moving to another city or country, just do it. It's very easy:
1. Apply for a visa if necessary
2. Buy the ticket
3. Pack your stuff
4. Get on the plane
Susanne
What an amazing story. You had me CRACKING UP when you started talking about the cockroaches. Roaches are by far my least favorite bug, but at least you have a sense of humor about it. ;) @shenanigator and I plan to move to another country, hopefully soon!
Now to just figure out how to downsize and fit everything in a suitcase!
What made you decide to move to Australia?
Thank you! Ha ha, roaches are ugly. Really? What countries would you like to move to? Downsize tip number one: sell everything on Craigslist :)
I was looking at Canada, but then I googled the average temperature and decided to not go there. I also wanted to go to Costa Rica, but I figured I would have to learn some Spanish if I picked that. So Australia seemd nice with warm climate and English language.
@shenanigator's choice would be somewhere in Mexico, but I'd rather pick somewhere that would be a little safer overall -- not sure where that might be, though. Gotta do some research!
Ah, Craig's List. I love that site. Soon I'll be moving into a smaller apartment, so that will give me an opportunity to downsize and rid myself of possessions that, as you say, are owning me instead of the other way around.
As it happens, we're learning Spanish right now with the Pimsleur language method! It's going well so far, I'd recommend it if you'd like to learn a second language. It makes it so much easier than memorizing vocabulary words.
Welcome
Manly is a great place to live.
Thank you - have you been to Manly? I absolutely love it so far.
I hear you. 2 years ago @menta and I fitted our life in 2 suitcases. Took our cats and moved to Cambodia. While I didn't prep as much as you did, it would have had no use anyway. We lived in Europe whole our life and nothing prepares you for the armies of bugs and house invaders. 2 months of no running water in the dry season was also something unexpected. I reckon that is the price we pay for freedom and living in paradise ;-) Enjoy the rest of the ride and new friends will come! Like you mentioned it takes a while.
That sounds great! How did the cats adapt to their new home and surroundings? Wow, no water sounds tough! :( Thank you so much!
I been following you and reading your posts, but this must rank as the bet yet {smile}... I can pick up snakes, spiders, in fact most bugs...but cockroaches have me running from the room ... really and truly !! {strikes Oz from potential destination}
Thank you so much @themagus! Haha, no don't scratch it off your list. It's SO beautiful here.
Are you still near Sydney? I understand a lot of what you said in this post. For example, the overwhelming feeling of freedom. I have some friends here in Chile that have a HUGE family there in Sydney. I have been told they love meeting new friends. Let me know and I will put you in touch.
Yes, it is 16 minutes on a ferry away from Sydney. Yes, the Aussies are very outgoing and friendly, so I'm sure I'll make som friends soon.
So true about possessions having the ability to own you; more like we let them own us. It's a slippery slope. The more we have, the more we want; the more we're stressed over having to maintain everything. Doing what you've done has given you a different perspective on life.
Just get on Tinder, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel and you will meet a lot of cool people. No joke! Trust me on this one.