AUSSIE ENCOUNTERS

A Glimpse into 45 days Australian Life

Jumping off a flying plane, running for life from a sea strom, being chased by kangaroos, conquering waves while surfing, selfie with quakkas,spotting penguins ,tasting octopus eggs&ducks, picking up new dance forms and performing amidst an immense sea of white-clad onlookers. And a lottttt of wandering alone on random streets all day and night absorbing the essence of each unscripted moment.

 If you would compile all these scenes together, that would become the teaser of my unforgettable days in australia.

Returning from a 45-day business trip from australia to India has left me with a treasure trove of memories, experiences, and exposure that exceeded my expectations for such a short-duration project. From the initial excitement to the eventual touch of missing home, my journey in Perth was a rollercoaster of emotions and discoveries.

1. Embracing the Unknown: The first few days were a whirlwind of excitement and enthusiasm. As I settled into my new surroundings, the basic necessities like accommodation, a local SIM card, and groceries were organized after a bit of hustle. I kept wandering.The charm of exploring a new place, roaming along the city streets and interacting with new people was invigorating. The cityscape of Perth was an open invitation, and I found myself walking through all its parks , shopping malls , lakes , woods and smiling at everyone I met. New place, new food , new people and new me. It all felt great.

 

2. Workplace: At work, It was a warm welcome by a remarkably diverse team. German, South African, French, Argentinian, Chinese – all in a single team. Witnessing how they seamlessly worked together despite different slangs, different working styles, and cultural backgrounds was inspiring.

To have a manager who quickly tried to understand my strengths and steer it as needed for the project and also guiding me around the city was such a blessing. Truely grateful to have met my manager Jens. And grateful to have met the entire leadership team that strives to bring the best out of everyone and make SKF the best place to work.

3. Weekend Adventures: Even with just six weekends at my disposal, I managed to fill them with unforgettable experiences. From exploring sun-kissed beaches to immersing myself in the culture and history at museums, every moment was a new adventure. Cafes, bustling markets, deserts, and breathtaking road trips became my companions.

 

 The thrill of parasailing , surfing and skydiving took me out of my comfort zone, while bird watching, kangaroo spotting and witnessing stunning sunsets will forever stay in my head rentfree.

4. Dancing to New Beats: I wanted to embrace their local traditions and so learnt their traditional dances – lindy hop and tap dance. The experience not only added to my skill set but also allowed me to connect with the culture on a deeper level. Also enrolled myself in a couple of pole dance sessions.

5. Food: I'll let the pictures speak.

6. Unique Australian Experiences: 

Tea without Milk: A small yet significant shift – tea without milk is the norm. People raise eyebrows when you add milk to your tea. Also they have no hype over starbucks or any other branded coffee. Their usual locally brewed coffee tasted superior to any of the brands.

"How Are You" : Being asked "How are you" as commonly and casually as "Good morning" was a charming cultural difference.

Slang: Never knew that Australian English is known for its distinctive slang and idioms. Terms like "mate," "arvo" (afternoon), and "brekkie" (breakfast) are commonly used. Understanding and using these phrases was a fun way to connect with locals.

Respecting Aboriginal Culture: Paying respect to the Aboriginals in public gatherings and meetings was a touching display of cultural acknowledgment.This simple act resonated deeply, igniting me to read the nation's colonial history and to honor its indigenous roots.

Diverse Indian Community: The high number of Indian immigrants in Perth showcased a thriving Indian diaspora. At times it added a sense of familiarity to a foreign land.

Flaura & fauna: Australia has a unique wildlife. From the very common notorious seagulls to kangaroos, quokkas and also the penguins. Also spotted a lot of beautiful flowers for the first time. Leaves of different shapes, very bright yet poisonenous species were common.

Sporting culture: aussies are crazy for football and cricket. Most of them have a very serious and active hobby apart from their regular work. Soccer coach, wind sailing , surfing , picnics, hikes, scuba diving any so many more. They have a very active outdoor lifestyle.

Public transport: Daily savior for my office commute. I took 2 buses and a train one way to reach office, but never felt exhausting due to its well-coordinated timings. The punctuality and frequent availability of local trains and buses were impeccably planned. Highlight was the CAT (Central Area Transits) buses, which offered opportunity to explore the city within a specific zone, all at no cost. With a single smartrider travel card, I could seamlessly use buses, trains, and even ferries.

Multiculturalism: This was a truely cross cultural exposure.  France, Argentina,Southafrica, Spain, UK, China , Korea , India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Germany, Chile are the countries on top of my head.Met people from most of these countries for the first time.The history of immigration and the diversity of population at australia was great.

Homelessness: The noticeable number of homeless individuals occupying busy streets was completly unexpected in a well developed city and lead me to learning how expensive housing was at Australia.

7.Missing Home: As the days went by, the initial euphoria began to wane. The last week seemed to stretch longer than the entire preceding five weeks combined. Now, the excitement to get back home got stronger. The yearning for family ,comfort of homemade food and a warm hug became constant companions in my thoughts. Despite video calls and kind words of support, the tug of home was difficult to shake off.

Surviving alone in a foreign nation taught me so many life lessons, altering my perspectives. It was a completely out-of-the-box experience.From the bustling city to its beautiful beaches and diverse workplaces, every experience enriched my understanding of a new culture. There were moments of independence that I never quite experienced back in India - roaming alone in the empty dark streets, managing my finances, using public transport everywhere,cooking, cleaning, and engaging in numerous high adrenaline activities.

However, there were also moments when the feeling of loneliness crept in.There were days when I had no one to share how wonderful my day was or the achievements I had at work. No one to discuss how crazy it felt like to defy gravity and jump from a flying plane at 15,000 feet. It all reminded of how having people close to you physically present with you can elevate the experience manifold.

In the end, it's the people we journey with and the moments we share that colour our experiences with the most vibrant hues while the landscapes and cityscapes fade over time.

Cheers to one of the most unforgettable and life changing experiences!