Australia is a strange place to me, much like South Africa when I first visited. Things are done a bit differently, not so drastically that it feels like an entirely distinct culture, but ever so slightly that it feels a bit foreign. I feel like a foreigner in a foreign land. Everyone talks different, and home feels a long way away. It’s fun. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s summer Down Under. People are enjoying their time off in the sun, taking advantage of Boxing Day sales, and going to the beach. It’s such a change from California up north. It’s brought to mind a quote I read not too long ago. Traveling to foreign places helps you appreciate how things are done differently in other countries and helps you realize that that’s okay. The world is diverse and there’s no right way to do everything. As my Momma used to tell me growing up, “it’s good people are different, otherwise the world would be really boring.” I’m not sure why but Australia provokes these thoughts and feelings out of me. Maybe it’s the uber-efficient train system, or the peculiar accents. I guess I really am on the flip side. What a big beautiful amazing world.