I never quite made it to the zoo the other day as a freight train holding toxic chemicals derailed on the same line I was on. We were dumped off at some random station, put on a bus to another random station, and the next thing I know, I'm sitting in some place called Caboolture eating a meat and potato pie on the platform. Then the rain came down. Heavy, non-stop rain. I decided something was trying to tell me that the zoo was a bad idea. I exchanged my train ticket and headed back for the city. Back in town, I found an internet cafe and sorted out my lodgings and finances for the next three cities on this mad little Australia tour.
In the evening, I caught a Sean Penn movie called Into the Wild. It's the true story of a 20-something year old who graduates from college, gives away his money, destroys his identity, and tramps his way from West Virginia to Alaska. It was an amazing two year journey that brought him through the wilderness of society and the land we call America. Needless to say, it sent my mind racing with thoughts as I sat in some theater in Brisbane, far away from home, at the tail end of my own long journey. "Alex Supertramp" says in the film, "The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences". I was reminded that everyday is an opportunity to learn and try something new. We've all got a hunger for it and sometimes we become a little lazy and would rather stick with what's easy rather than go hunt for something new to feed that hunger. For me, this trip has meant everyday is a new experience in a new place. In a sense, it's become too easy for me to feed and maybe I've reached a different level of lazy. Who's still following me out there? Anyone? I'm finding myself a bit worn down these days. I think I need a break from being a tourist. I've become concerned that these experiences aren't soaking in. I'm not taking enough time to absorb everything or to record my thoughts on them. Sometimes I may have bitten off more than I could chew (this being especially difficult now that I have a bum front tooth). I suppose in the end, I could never expect to process everything fully all at once.
At the end of the film, Alex realizes: Happiness is only real when shared. Let's go out and find new experiences and share them with others. Hopefully I'll be able to come home in a few months and tell you about some of mine.
Labels: Australia
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