And just like that, my eleven weeks in Cairns has come and gone. That's nearly three months, gone in the blink of an eye. Can't believe it? Neither can I.
After an absolutely incredible internship opportunity, the time has come for me to say goodbye to my furry friends and their keepers at Cairns Tropical Zoo and leave to travel the rest of Australia. I think I've told my coworkers "thank you" about a thousand times, but it will never be enough. They gave me some of my best memories, learning opportunities, and friendships. I'm humbled to have worked with such genuinely great people. So, for the thousand and first time, thank you CTZ staff for everything!
Even though I begin a new adventure today, I can't help but feel sad that I'm leaving my home. The city with the ocean spread out in front of me and the mountains looming behind me is opposite from Sugar Grove in every sense of the word. Yet, it's home. It's filled with amazing friends and memories who have left their mark on my heart forever. Sugar Grove has had a lifetime to make me feel that way; Cairns had three months.
I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave this city, but I don't have a choice. So I'll just have to take my memories with me and be grateful for all of my time spent here. I don't want to go, but I suppose not wanting to leave means I did exactly what I was meant to; I took this experience and made it my own. I laughed with some fantastic new friends (who feel like old friends), swam underneath waterfalls surrounded by the rainforest, and dove the Great Barrier Reef. I tried new foods, bought some Aboriginal artwork, and gazed at the stars in the southern sky. In three months, I connected with myself in a way I never would have imagined; this city gave me the courage to be my own person, try new experiences, and relish the little moments. Years from now, I’ll look back on these few short months with a smile and some sand in a wine bottle. In the wise words of my roommate and great friend, Anna, “this is the good life.”
Speaking of her, I suppose this is the time to say we’ll be splitting up. We’ve done just about everything together the past few months, and I know she’s feeling the same way about leaving Cairns. “Banana” is one of my closest friends. I can probably credit her for my total lack of culture shock; I could come home from work and not have a worry in the world in her company. She’s a “go with the flow” kind of chick, and I’ll miss her laidback attitude. So many laughs, memories, and travels have formed a very beautiful friendship. I’m grateful for all of my new friends, but especially Banana. I’ll miss you, flower child! I can’t wait to see where you end up in this crazy life. J
And with that, dear readers, you’ve seen a glimpse of what this place means to me. After reading through what I’ve written, I thought, “that’ll do” even though it doesn’t come close to explaining the happiness and love I have in my heart for this place. Despite that, it gives you an idea. And that’s all that matters.
As for me, I’m off to explore every nook and cranny of Australia. For the next week I’m headed out into the bush for a desert experience, making a pit stop in Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, and then (drumroll please), meeting up with my fabulous parents in Sydney! I have a lot to look forward to!
From here on out, my blog posts will be less frequent. I won’t have internet access all of the time so I’ll write when I can. Stay tuned!
Here’s to Cairns, and to my future adventures!
After an absolutely incredible internship opportunity, the time has come for me to say goodbye to my furry friends and their keepers at Cairns Tropical Zoo and leave to travel the rest of Australia. I think I've told my coworkers "thank you" about a thousand times, but it will never be enough. They gave me some of my best memories, learning opportunities, and friendships. I'm humbled to have worked with such genuinely great people. So, for the thousand and first time, thank you CTZ staff for everything!
Even though I begin a new adventure today, I can't help but feel sad that I'm leaving my home. The city with the ocean spread out in front of me and the mountains looming behind me is opposite from Sugar Grove in every sense of the word. Yet, it's home. It's filled with amazing friends and memories who have left their mark on my heart forever. Sugar Grove has had a lifetime to make me feel that way; Cairns had three months.
I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave this city, but I don't have a choice. So I'll just have to take my memories with me and be grateful for all of my time spent here. I don't want to go, but I suppose not wanting to leave means I did exactly what I was meant to; I took this experience and made it my own. I laughed with some fantastic new friends (who feel like old friends), swam underneath waterfalls surrounded by the rainforest, and dove the Great Barrier Reef. I tried new foods, bought some Aboriginal artwork, and gazed at the stars in the southern sky. In three months, I connected with myself in a way I never would have imagined; this city gave me the courage to be my own person, try new experiences, and relish the little moments. Years from now, I’ll look back on these few short months with a smile and some sand in a wine bottle. In the wise words of my roommate and great friend, Anna, “this is the good life.”
Speaking of her, I suppose this is the time to say we’ll be splitting up. We’ve done just about everything together the past few months, and I know she’s feeling the same way about leaving Cairns. “Banana” is one of my closest friends. I can probably credit her for my total lack of culture shock; I could come home from work and not have a worry in the world in her company. She’s a “go with the flow” kind of chick, and I’ll miss her laidback attitude. So many laughs, memories, and travels have formed a very beautiful friendship. I’m grateful for all of my new friends, but especially Banana. I’ll miss you, flower child! I can’t wait to see where you end up in this crazy life. J
And with that, dear readers, you’ve seen a glimpse of what this place means to me. After reading through what I’ve written, I thought, “that’ll do” even though it doesn’t come close to explaining the happiness and love I have in my heart for this place. Despite that, it gives you an idea. And that’s all that matters.
As for me, I’m off to explore every nook and cranny of Australia. For the next week I’m headed out into the bush for a desert experience, making a pit stop in Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, and then (drumroll please), meeting up with my fabulous parents in Sydney! I have a lot to look forward to!
From here on out, my blog posts will be less frequent. I won’t have internet access all of the time so I’ll write when I can. Stay tuned!
Here’s to Cairns, and to my future adventures!