To upgrade or not to upgrade?

taken near Reykjavik, Iceland

As you might have guessed, I like taking photos. Lots of photos. I've only ever had a point-and-shoot camera (Panasonic Lumix TZ-20 is my current camera), and I can't help but wonder if its time to upgrade to a DSLR. (sidenote - both TZ cameras I've owned, including my current one, have had dust get inside the sensor, which I can see in the photos, hence why I'm thinking about a new camera).

I've seen photos taken with DSLRs, and I like the effects. A lot. I'd love to be able to get the shallow depth-of-field and other similar setups...my current camera won't quite do it. But then I look at the photo above, which is one of my favourites I've taken over the last couple of years. And I remember the story behind taking it....I was visiting the geysir area near Reykjavik on a day tour, and just happened to turn around back towards where the tour bus was parked, and saw the sun peeking out through the clouds (first time all day). I snapped a handful of photos of the scene, and 5 minutes later the cloud had come back over again. I'm glad I had my point-and-shoot that day, cause I'm not sure I would have managed to whip out a DSLR as quickly to get the photo....

So, I think I want to get a new camera (finances permitting). The only question - another point-and-shoot, or do I go for a DSLR?

Any thoughts/comments/suggestions welcome.

Today I was reminded...

that I'm definitely not in Australia any more.

Let me explain. Australia is a BIG country. It takes forever to get anywhere. For example: between where I used to live and where I grew up, it was an 8-10 hour trip by road between the two - and that was within the same area of the country

Today I booked a day trip for next month. Nothing unusual about that, you might say. Did I mention that it was a day trip to Bruges (Belgium)? The idea that I can visit another country and be back in England in a day is just slightly strange to me....but I like it.

A lot

Thoughts on living overseas

Recently, I've come across a couple of posts that talk about why some fellow Aussies have come to the UK (you can find the posts here and here). A lot of what is said in those posts mirrors why I came to the UK, but I thought I would add my own two pence worth:

When I meet people for the first time (and I meet a lot of people in my job) and we've established, that yes, I really AM from Australia, the next (inevitable) question is some variation on:

"Why on earth would you want to come here for?"

often closely followed by:

"But don't you miss home/your family/your friends?"

After two years living here, I'm starting to become more consistent in how I answer. And, in all honesty, it boils down to one simple sentence: 

"I've always wanted to."

For as long as I can remember, and certainly from the start of my university degree, I knew I wanted to have the experience of living in another country. While I might be doing the same things as I would be at home, it somehow feels different at the same time. And the chance to travel relatively cheaply is a big drawcard as well. Travel in Australia is expensive. For example, to travel between the town where I used to live and where I grew up, it was a 90 minute (one way) flight that never cost me less than A$400 (return). For that amount of money here in the UK, I can take a few short flights and explore some of the great cities of Europe. 

So that answers the 'why' - the chance to experience a different way of living, and the chance to travel to so many amazing places.

As for the 'missing home,' the honest answer to that is yes, I do. I miss my family, my friends, beautiful beaches, and proper sunny/hot weather. But, in this digital age, staying in touch is easy. Being able to email/text message/Skype family and friends keeps me in touch, and makes me admire my Mum, and how difficult it must have been for her being so far away from her family when she moved to Scotland with Dad after they got married. When I complain about the weather, my sister will always remind me about the incredible experience that I'm living right now, being able to travel and see the world. And it takes me about 30 seconds to remember that she's right. I've living a life that many other people only dream of. 

Australia will always be there, and will always be home. Two years away has made me more appreciative of what I've got back home, and that I will be back there one day. For me though, at this point of time in my life, living overseas is the right place for me - and I can't imagine doing anything else. 

I remember....

the first time coming to visit me came up in conversation.

the text messages, phone calls, emails and Skype conversations where we planned the trip.

the message you sent to tell me the trip was all paid for.

the last Skype conversation we had before you got on the plane....and the excitement we were all feeling.

the feeling of nervous anticipation mixed with excitement I had coming to meet you at the airport.

the first sight of you both in the departure area of the airport, and the smile that came to my face.

the first hug we had shared in nearly 12 months - and just how amazing it felt.

the good (and not so good) experiences we had in the month we spent exploring Europe

the sinking-heart feeling I had as we went to the airport for your flight back home.

the last hug we shared before you went through security, and how I was trying to etch the feeling into my soul.

the mental talking-to I gave myself as you walked through security, willing myself not to burst into tears.

I remember.

Memorable travel moments

Personally, I think most travel is memorable - whether it be for good or bad reasons. I know that when I eventually return home, this experience will hopefully stay with me for the rest of my life. In the past 2 years, however, there have been moments that have stood out and been etched into my memory. Here are a couple of them:


1. seeing the Eiffel tower for the first time

I've mentioned before that my friends and I did a group tour (Contiki) when we first arrived in Europe. For us, it was the easiest and quickest way to get an introduction to Europe. The first destination was Paris, and on that first night the group was taken on an 'orientation tour' of the city. When we saw the Eiffel Tower, that was the moment it hit me. After talking, planning, and saving for so long....I was really and truly in Europe, living my dream. It was a pretty good realisation to make, let me tell you.

2. Massed Pipes and Drums at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Most people I know either love or hate bagpipe music. Me, I'm firmly on the love side....I've always liked listening to bagpipes... maybe its my Scottish heritage coming forward. Growing up, my family always watched the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, when it was shown on ABC around Christmas/New Year. I knew that while I was living over here, I had to go and see it live, which I did last year. Sitting in the stands, waiting for the show to start, I was getting more and more excited (and really hoping the rain would stop - it had been raining all day). Seeing and hearing the massed pipes and drums (who open the show) walk out onto the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle gave me goosebumps. I didn't know where to look, and felt a bit like a kid on Christmas morning, trying to decide which present to open first. If I'm completely honest, the moment actually brought a tear to my eye. I don't think I will forget it.....ever.

Things I have learnt at the post office

In the last couple of years, I've spent a fair bit of time (and money) at the post office. I send home birthday and Christmas presents, as well as things I've purchased for my family while travelling. Listed below are just a few of the things I've learnt...

• Know if the postal service has a maximum weight limit on parcels (the limit is less than 2kg over here....learnt that one the hard way)

• Bubble wrap is invaluable

• As are old newspapers (to fill gaps in boxes)

• And your own duct tape is pretty handy too (for sealing up boxes once they're packed....if you ask the counter staff to put tape on them, they will use completely useless ordinary sticky tape)

• Fill out your customs stickers/put airmail stickers on before you get to the counter to pay

• If you use bubble wrap to protect fragile items, make sure you use sticky tape to secure said bubble wrap (also learnt this the hard way)

• Use the smallest box/packaging you can get away with for what you are sending.....less space for things to move around in the box

•  If you use boxes from the post office, read carefully what you can use them for - some can't be used for sending items overseas (learnt that the hard way too)

• Allow plenty of time if you're trying to have things arrive by a certain day - I've posted parcels that have taken anywhere from 4 days to 4 weeks

and lastly....

• If you go to the post office on a Saturday morning, there will be a queue. Apparently everyone else has the same idea as you...

Things I have learnt while travelling

• There will always sometimes be a delay when trying to get from point A to point B

• Wearing a shirt with metal buttons is not a good idea when passing through airport security
  
•  If you have to repack your luggage, it will never fit in quite as well as when you first packed

• In airports where your final security screening is at the gate, it is a really bad idea to drink a lot of liquids before getting to said gate

• There's nothing quite like the pizza in Italy

• And the gelato, too.

• I would not want to be driving a car in Italy

• Or Turkey

• If you're not a fan of big crowds, visiting the Vatican on the last Sunday of the month (when you get in free) is a really.bad.idea

• If you're over a certain height, a good night's sleep on an overnight train is a very unlikely scenario

• Embrace the unexpected...........after all, isn't that part of why you're travelling?

• There's no such thing as too many photos

• But it is occasionally a good idea to put away the camera and just soak in what you are looking at

• When exploring a new city, be prepared to walk. A lot. (and for the inevitable blisters)

• If a place says it is 500m from the nearest public transport stop, don't expect it to be immediately visible when you step off said public transport.

• I never knew, but I apparently have a love of architecture. (especially visiting churches/cathedrals)

• Why Disneyland is the 'happiest place on Earth.'

and lastly (for now)....

• If I could work out how to afford it to do it, I would always be travelling.

You're from Canada, right? Or how I (apparently) don't sound very Australian

As I think I've mentioned before, I was born in the UK, but grew up in Australia. I've lived the vast majority of my life in Australia, and so like to think I sound relatively Aussie. I know I don't sound like Crocodile Dundee or Steve Irwin (the fact that their accent is what many international people think all Australians sound like is another rant for another day), but I had thought my accent was relatively easy to pick.

In the nearly two years I've lived here, I've discovered that isn't always the case.

At various times, I have been asked if I am the following:

• Australian

• New Zealander/Kiwi

• South African

• Irish 

• Canadian

• American

I have also been told that I look Scottish.

The most bizarre attempt at picking my accent would have to been when I went with a work colleague (who is English) to see a client. The client said that I was English and that my colleague was Australian.......not sure how they reached that conclusion, let me tell you.

And, while I was in Turkey recently (on a group tour with a bunch of Aussies and Kiwis), I was told by some that I didn't have a very strong Australian accent. This has been a common comment I get from people who don't immediately pick my accent as Australian.

I don't mind particularly if people that I meet don't get my accent straight away - it provides me with a giggle and a bit of entertainment. I would, however, find it really interesting to hear myself how other people hear me - I think it could be an enlightening experience....

On a serious note

Back when I was in my last year at university, I decided I wanted to take a trip somewhere after I finished studying - kind of a 'present to myself' if you like. At the time, money was the main consideration, so after researching, I decided on a week long tour around New Zealand's South Island.

It was my first 'big girl' trip (the first trip outside of my home town that I did by myself), and I loved it. There is amazing scenery in the South Island, and its so different to what I'm used to back in Australia. I also had a couple of nights in Christchurch before the tour started and after it finished. I don't have photos to remind me (I did this trip back before I had a digital camera), but I remember Christchurch as being a lovely city, much like my home town, with some beautiful old buildings.

So when I heard about the earthquake that happened there today, I was shocked. There's been more than enough natural disasters in that part of the world recently.....my love and thoughts are with the people of New Zealand and Christchurch as they work to find survivors, and then the work of rebuilding their city....

A few of my favourite (technological) things

(by the way, typing that title totally made me sing the Sound of Music song in my head...)

Technology. It is something you can't really escape from these days. These are a few of my favourite technological things that I have: (in no particular order)

• My computer: before leaving Australia, I sold my laptop to my sister. I didn't really think I was going to need it over here, and I didn't want to have to worry about it when I was travelling. When I got to my first job after my tour was over, where I was living didn't have a TV (I still don't have one, but that's another story). At the end of the first week, I was down at Curry's (an electrical goods store) picking out my netbook.....which has turned into a bit of a lifeline for me: a place to store music, photos, and to use the internet to connect with the world.
• The World Wide Web: can something that you can't really see be included on a list of things? Well I'm going to regardless......the internet allows me to keep in touch with friends and family, as well as plan my future travels
• Skype: as independent as I like to think I am, I'm close to my family and miss them a lot. My mum and sister came over to visit for a month last year, and one of the best parts of that time was getting to see them 'in the flesh' every day. In the absence of any planned long distance trips (me going home or family coming here) or someone inventing instant teleportation, Skype is a pretty good substitute
• Camera: this one's easy - it allows me to record what I'm seeing and experiencing, to then be able to share with others. With the amount of photos I've taken since arriving in England, I'm glad I've got a digital camera, not a film one....*shudders at the imaginary cost of the film* I'd love to get an SLR camera, but for now I think my point-and-shoot will do the job
• Mobile phone: where I currently live, I don't have a landline phone. Hence, my mobile is the only way for people to contact me by phone. Plus, text messages between my sister and I are a lot cheaper (and easier) than trying to make phone calls.
• E-book reader: people who know me, know I love to read. (the 5 or so boxes of books I left packed up back in Australia just reinforces that). I have absolutely none limited space for storing books where I live, plus they've become a bit awkward to pack and carry when I travel. Therefore, I ended up buying an e-reader just before Christmas. I haven't had it very long, but already really really really like it.
• iPod: I honestly can't imagine not having one (or some form of MP3 player). Long bus/train trips would be a different experience without it, I think.
• Adapter plugs: lets me use my gadgets from home without having to get totally new plugs.

So that's my list. As much as I whine and complain when something stops working (two weeks without a computer, and no TV springs to mind......) I can't imagine my life without these technological things in it.

What about everyone else? What are some of your favourite technological things?

Home...

Four letters. One syllable. Such a simple word. Yet it's probably the one thing that I have the greatest difficulty in defining.

During my childhood and school years (including university), home was easy to define. I lived with my parents and sister. If someone asked me where I lived or where was home, I could say with confidence, "I live in ________"(insert suburb/city here, depending on who I was talking to).

Then I got my first 'real world' job after university. And I moved to a town a day's drive from where I grew up. All of a sudden, I found it a whole lot more difficult to define 'home.' At first, I would talk about going home to visit family, going back to town where I grew up. Then, as time passed, I got more involved in the town I was living in, I was feeling more comfortable and confident in my job, and was loving the town and surroundings. Before I knew it, this new town was home.

And now I find myself in the UK. The question of 'where are you from?' is even trickier to answer now. I'm finding that when most people ask, they just want to know where my accent is from (and some of the suggestions I've had....that's a post for another day) and so that's what I tell them.

But....I should also mention that I was born in the UK. In the year and a bit I've been here, life has a lot of the time felt comfortable, and in some respects, like 'home.' Yet I also describe myself as Australian, and find myself missing a few things back in Australia....and still think of it as home most of the time.

So, what defines home?

Is it where you were born?

Is it where you grew up?

Is it where your family lives?

Is it where you grew as a person and learnt about yourself?

Is it where you currently live?

Or is it a combination of some/all of these things?

I'm still to decide, and I think my definition will continue to grow and evolve....if I come up with a definitive answer, I'll let you know.