Island Living

The American Cruise Culture is something that might take some getting used to. Even though its already five days into this paradise palace on the sea, not only is it quite exhausting (eating,sleeping, island hopping, more eating, drinking, eating, some dancing, but still more eating - can't forget the midnight buffet!) its a way of travelling that i don't think appeals to me so much. No, I'm not saying that I don't appreciate this magnificent family holiday, however over the past few days we have met people that ONLY cruise when travelling this planet. Imagine-eating the same type of food every time, staying in the same room for the whole time, and when the ships dock the passengers only manage to get a tiny glimpse of the country they are visiting. Yes, that is certianly he easiest way for a holiday, but who said that it had to be easy? yes, for the oldies who cruise five times a year or something, there is plenty of wheelchair access and helpful staff who always greet you with a smile. But what is also strange on this particular cruise, is the number of young people - people my and alana's age - that are travelling during this christmas break.And if they were all travelling on a family holiday i wouldnt be mentioning this - these are young adults with a lot of money and time off during the christmas break, who spend it cruising and shpieling at the casino and getting plastered every night... But then again maybe its just me.. I'd prefer to go exploring or live on an island if i had the choice.

The islands we visit are so beautiful, I think i'd fit in with the locals here -even though i might not be black, the women are so tall, and everyone has such a relaxed attitude and way of walking. Yesterday we went to a Rastafarian Vegetarian cafe for a quick lunch - it was nice and yum,but now i think i could grow up to be a rastafarian.

The last couple of islands have had gorgeous beaches -where i fall asleep on every one of them - and warm bright blue water that just sparkles, its straight out of a postcard. Today I am writing from St Thomas - shopping island out of all the Virgin Islands, but this island was also populated by Jews as early as the 1500s. We went to the only shule on the island, a Sephardic shule built in the 1700s, rebuilt in the 1800s and rebuilt again in the late 1800s early 1900s. It was beautiful. There was a Morrocan Channukiah from the 11 century, and there was sand covering the floor - to remember the marranos in Spain who covered their basement with sand to muffle to noise of their Jewish prayers during the time of Isabella and Ferdinand.

Alright, I must run, when i get proper email access I will fill you in on all the little details most probably don't want to know. Happy New Year xxx

Miami Vice

Welcome to South Beach, Miami, Florida, the United States of America, where cars are HUGE, the buildings are art deco magnificents, and the line between uber cool and wannabe hip is very blurred. I know that South Beach is the home of partying to all hours of the morning, but I couldn't be more unbothered/tired/lazy? No, some of the hotels are too cool, some of the restaurants are the same - tonight we went to a gorgeous 'Sushi Samba' - a mixed cuisine of Japan, Brazil and Peru all here in the USA.

Today we went to the Everglades, a World Heritage site of marshlands, populated by alligators, crocodiles, birds, flamingos and all types of nasty trailer trash from the movie Wild Things. I was kidding about the white trash. We assumed the full role of Tourist and visited a place called the Monkey Jungle, where we were under the wires/in cages, and the monkeys were running around, howling and screeching for food that they grabbed up on pulleys. Then we went on lovely nature walks, learnt some valuable information about the flora and fauna of the everglades in the national park... hrmm, not that I can really remember much... After the walks the family went on an airboat ride along the canals of the Everglades, it was beautiful.. we went up to 80k's an hour cutting through the sawgrass, the wind whipping through our hair, the water splashing our faces (yukko!) straight out of Wild Things, I swear. I guess its a little sad I'm referencing the movies when describing this nature park, but, I guess its a sign of the times. How old do I sound.

I suppose this is a little brief, but it is quite late, and I'll fill you in on our days a little later on. Tomorrow we drive up to Fort Lauderdale, and get on the big ol boat, 'Infinity'. There goes my diet. Ha!

Well, good night all.

Into the Dark

Well, I've been so excited to start this blog... Here goes...

This trip is a little like traveling to space. A black hole called College in the USA, where I have no expectations, nor any real thoughts of what's ahead. Thank god I have Ben Lee accompanying me - and his most wonderful album 'Awake is the New Sleep'. Yes, I am very excited, but quite nervous as well. We'll see how this year goes. This is the first time that I'll be separated from everything that holds me down in Melbourne. A big adventure, true, one that I have been dreaming of for years, yet.... the hesitation surprises me. Forgive the honesty, but this is what this blog is partly about.
I never thought I would miss Melbourne - the city, st kilda, the heebs on carlisle st on a friday afternoon, the smoggy summer, feeling unfashionable on Chapel St, feeling jappy on Brunswick St, feeling lovely on a Sunday afternoon when the sun is shining through the trees on to a lovely patch of grass in my backyard.

But now, reflecting... I can't wait to fly away into this dark :)