Beach Trip: Lorne

Orientations are usually quite dull. Beach orientations are not! Within four days of arriving, we set out to the beach town of Lorne. My housemates and I almost missed the bus due to the fact that it took about 45 minutes to arrive at the departure point (it should only take 20 minutes, but it was our first time walking to campus). We watched two buses pull away as we were turning the corner and entering the gate, which was greatly upsetting; however, it turned out that there were too many people and they had to get another bus (whew). It all worked out very well because we ended up getting lucky and staying in the most beautiful cottage style hostel rooms rather than the trailers that the first two bus loads of people ended up in. It seems that stressful situations tend to have a way of working themselves out. Also, we had the cutest little cockatoo friends!

On our way to Lorne we drove along the Great Ocean Road, which is 151 miles long and runs along the south-eastern coast of Australia. It was absolutely gorgeous and refreshing. Lucy is pictured below.

The following day we did a number of activities: yoga, a bush walk, and surfing. Australian bush is much different than other forests I have been in. Everything is a bit dry here, so brown and manila colored plants are mixed in with the green. I did see a koala in the wild: snoozy and in a tree. I also ate a few of the most delicious and salty spinach leaves. I spent most of the walk with Marlene, from Denmark.

Soon after the walk, we surfed, or more honestly, I learned how to surf in theory. Occasionally, I caught a wave while on the board, but never quite managed to stand up. I would love to try it again though, it's quite thrilling. Even catching a wave while laying down on the board was exciting. Either way, I was in the Antarctic Ocean! For some reason it really confirmed that I was far away, far far away. It made me happy too. I hope that I can put my toes in all of the oceans of the world one day.

That evening we all ate dinner together and went to the bar and a party. It was a good opportunity to meet everyone and socialize. I made a vegetarian friend, which generally happens in meal situations elsewhere, on a hunt for edible food. They were relatively accommodating after a few reminders that we needed to eat that evening, but then while searching through my food I found remnants of pine nuts (which I am allergic to) and I panicked. Marlene, who is studying to be a nurse, was quite helpful and managed to find an anti-histamine and talk me out of my panic. I need to invest in an epinephrine pen again for my sanity. Post-panic, the evening was fun. We ended up at the beach at night and it was one of the most beautiful, moving, and calming instances of my time here so far.

The return trip on the bus was long and a bit nauseating. A few people were overcome with motion sickness and so I returned the medicinal karma that I received the previous night and gave away my Dramamine to those who were quite ill-looking. Motion sickness is miserable. The windy ride along the highway was worth it though. We saw the London Arch and Twelve Apostles, both which are amazing products of the natural world. Although there is probably some degree of danger involved in climbing atop the arch or underneath it, I really wish I could. The water was splashing around underneath and around the arch in the most beautiful way.

By time we reached the Twelve Apostles everyone was beyond sleep deprived including myself. While heading to the bus, I realized I couldn't wait to be at home. The home I was desiring was my room in Victoria, not New Jersey. Home is becoming more transient than I imagined (but simultaneously lasting?) and I seem to have a growing number of homes these days. The days spent in Lorne definitely helped to put the present concept of home into perspective. I am getting quite comfortable here.