Australian Politics

 As much as I hoped to be able to escape American politics by being in the Australian Outback on election day, it was not possible. Being in a country whose unofficial mantra is "no worries," helped until it didn't. 

For better or worse, the world looks to America as a barometer. Seeing our nation swing to the right, Australians who have already noticed theirs tilting in that direction now anticipate the pendulum will knock it all the way right. If Americans were willing to vote away their Democracy, how will theirs stay?

Since coming home I've been exposed to literature that says democracies tend to last about 250 years, so (no matter how much it stinks to live through it), this is normal. That's a discussion for another time.

Australia handles elections much differently than we do in the United States.

Several major differences:

1) Everyone must vote. They do not have to tick a name off on the ballot, but they must appear to vote.

2) Your boss is required to give you time off to vote.

3) Elections are announced only a few weeks in advance.

4) People do not vote for the leader, they vote for the party that then decides on the leader. This is how we vote for mayor in Lawrenceville, so it makes sense to me.

5) Each candidate that is on the ballot is given a set amount of money by the government to use for ads. You can't add to that amount.

Americans there are other models out there we can use to reform our government.  

Been Home a Week

We have now been home a week. That's a long time. A 52nd of a year. A long time to not even start writing about our adventures. Writing is how I process what I've learned. I write for myself, not for the ten of you who read the posts. 

How have we spent the past week?

Don had two more doctors' appointments. One planned. One because of his leg. He also had three shifts at work. Two back to back. As he works on his feet now, they wore him out so he slept more.

I went to the grocery store twice and the library three times. About par for a typical week. I also went for a run and several long walks.

We both slept. A lot. Jet lag can only account for so much. At some point we have to recognize we are depressed about the election results. About what that means for us (I heard another NPR story saying Americans are becoming more individualistic). What it means for our daughter and her generation. What it means for marginalized Americans. What it means globally. I am frozen into inability to do anything. I'm sure longer posts will be about all that.

I went with a friend to see friends in a play. Carolyn to see Jonathan and Mike on stage.

I met up with another friend (Courtney) to participate in Flemington's Thanksgiving service.

We hosted a Thanksgiving service our house that turned into tea and sympathy.

I helped friends put together 200 meals they will deliver on Thanksgiving. Sorry, no picture.

I unpacked. That took longer than one would imagine, especially since we travelled lightly.

I did trip laundry. That did not take that long because a few days before we came home we washed most of our belongings in Jo and Andrew's new washing machine.

I worried because when I turned my storage computer on it did not seem to have 3 and a half years of photos on it. Thank you, Bart, for being calm when I needed that, and for actually finding my pictures.

I read four books about women finding themselves. Seems to be my current genre. My old one was what I call "grown up Nancy Drews."

I binge watched "The Man on the Inside" starring Ted Danson. On the long flight home I binge watched the new "Frasier." Guess I'm regressed to rooting for 1990's TV stars.

I donated cans to the church pantry. Twice. It is small, but it is something.

I thought about posts I wanted to write, but did not write them.

I ached for someone to snap me out of my funk. To tell me the way I'll feel better is by writing; by culling my trip photos; by eating better; by having some ice cream and chocolate; by running again; by talking to friends; by planning my next trip; by having someone really listen to me.

I need to focus on the parts of that list that are within my control, hence the writing.

The trip posts will be dated on the days the activities happened. Keep your eyes out for topics of interest.

Now I'm going downstairs to eat, because that's also in my control.

Australian Flowers

 A random assortment of Australian flower pictures. I love Spring.

 

Flying Home, November 20: in the air

The biggest problem with going that far away is the flight. We flew Delta Airways. I was hesitant, but they treated us well. When we landed in Los Angeles and asked to be put on an earlier flight to Atlanta, they did. They also put us on an earlier flight to Philadelphia from Atlanta -- one that left in 45 minutes only two gates away. The later flight was four TERMINALS away. Our luggage even arrived safely.

We did not sleep on the 14 hour flight. It was at 11 am and we were just not tired. Instead we binge watched the new Frasier and kept quiet for those who could sleep. Don got up at least once an hour so the blood would flow in his leg.

We did sleep on the shorter legs

One of the best decisions we made was to pay a friend to take us to the airport and pick us up again. After that trip, neither one of us wanted to drive home from Philadelphia.

Life has been a blur since coming home. Now that I finally finished these blog posts, I need to decorate the house and buy Christmas presents. It is already December 14.

I also need to start dreaming about our next adventures.