Brisbane Leg

Sitting on the floor of the Brisbane Airport because, just like many of the other airports, this one does not have many places to plug in devices. Back in the Sydney airport an Asian man and I both lunged for the only outlet in the gate waiting area. I won because my adapter had a slot he could use to charge his phone. Sharing for the win!

We arrived Friday afternoon. Met up with Andrew at his office to drop off our bags. After a quick lunch at the Vietnamese place across the street, we went to the Urgent Care site on the ground floor of his office building. For those keeping score, yes, this was the fourth doctor's visit in a week and a half. Hopefully the last as they offered much encouragement.

Don's swollen thigh with no discoloration has morphed into a purple swollen leg. By Friday afternoon we could see the purple giving way to green and yellow. No, I have not been taking pictures. He still uses the crutch on long jaunts, but can get by without it for shorter walks, such as around the house. The crutch also gives him sympathy from airport staff allowing for early boarding.

This office only opened up a few weeks ago. We were the only ones there. Like the Urgent Care in Melbourne, the visit was free and the attention plentiful. They said it will take 4-6 weeks to heal. "Little soldiers" are working to heal his leg.

As we sat there, I remembered Town Hall was not far away and that it has a free museum of the City of Brisbane, including free tours of the Clock Tower. We had just enough time to do both before meeting up with Andrew and his wife, Jo, to see a comedy show.

The comedy show was very funny. Australian comedian Celia Pacquola. She is a 41-year old mum to an 18-month old. Her hourlong skit was hilarious! We spent much of the weekend watching her in Don's new favorite TV show "Thank God You Are Here." We hope to be able to access it from the States.

Andrew scheduled to borrow a boat from his boat club on Saturday. It poured! At first it was a light drizzle with a forecast calling for it end soon. That morphed into pouring all day long! We went to Bunnings for a snag (a highlight from last year), and watched Australian comedy in their spacious living room. We were introduced to Bluey, who we learned is based in Brisbane on Brisbane landmarks, including Bunnings, which is called Hammerbarn. Bunnings' logo is a giant hammer, so all the Australians get the joke, and most Americans do not. Bluey came up because during her comedy skit Celia told us about how she was cast for the role of Bluey's mom, but lost it after a day.

It turns out, Andrew requested the boat for Sunday and not Saturday. The best mistake ever! The marina is only a 15-minute drive from their house, so we didn't lose much time. On Sunday we went on the boat to Tag..... , an island across from Manley Beach. You can take an hourlong ferry ride to the island, but going in the Whittley felt like living the life of the rich and famous. We bounced along mild waves and were grateful we did not go the day before. Andrew took me snorkeling among the submerged wreck. I kicked myself for leaving the waterproof camera I bought last year to go to the Great Barrier Reef back in New Jersey. It does not take up much space and will be added to my travel back for the future.

Despite best sunscreen efforts, I got burned on my shoulders and back. They are tender today. I've heard 2/3 of Australians develop skin cancer at some point. Skin scans are part of their regular annual health care regiment. I know I need to go soon. They say Americans are warned about big bugs, snakes, and dingoes but not the real things that are more likely to kills you, including skin cancer.

Woke at 5:30 am to leave with Andrew at 6:30 to get to the airport in time for the 9:05 am flight. The bag drop line was at least 30 minutes long, so I am grateful we were here two hours in advance. Other times we have arrived two hours early we've had at least 90 minutes of wait time. This time we had about an hour, but since the lines were so long, we have not been stressed.

Two days in Sydney, then we board three flights to come back (SYD-LAX, LAX-ATL, ATL-PHL). Since the election news, and its ramifications (cabinet picks being pushed through without background checks we all know they would fail, Neo Nazis in Columbus, OH, Muslims voting for T suddenly realizing he will turn on them like he did in his first term with Muslim bands, and other groups realizing what they will lose), I don't feel as if I am returning "home." We have big decisions to make, and are fortunately we are in a position to do so.

I hate that I have to depend on Republicans turning on T in order for us to not lose the ACA, same sex marriage, abortion rights (even medically needed ones), education, and so much more. It will be an awful two years until we can vote in more Democratic leaders into congress and the senate. We have no checks and balances starting on January 20.

Just as each introduction in Australia starts with the reminder we are on native lands, I will include in my posts how upset I am about potentially losing rights we have enjoyed thanks to Democratic leadership.