Outback Trip

There hasn't been anything to get me over the lazy hill to blog about, until now. My experience over the past few days has been amazing to say the least. From the budget airline, Tiger Airways, to the unbelievable views, I have loved every minute of it!

We started out with a bus trip to the airport, which led to an hour wait in line, but a simple security check. Caught some brekkie and were smoothly in the air only 15 minutes late. This a feat for Tiger, who is notorious on their TV show for countless problems, but I found my experience with them to be rather enjoyable for the value. It was challenging trying to stay within the carry on weight limit, but all I had to do was put heavy items in my jumper during check in.

After arriving in Alice Springs and settling in to our hostel, we went to explore the town. It's a very different place than we've been so far, but it was quaint. The area is extremely similar to the deserts in Arizona with lots of flat land with random mountains here and there. I have noticed a major increase in aboriginal population here, and the locals say that they are mostly misfits from all around the country that never really adopted western/modern ways.

At about diner time, we went to go visit with a distant relative (?) of Nils that lives right down the road. We had authentic Australian BBQ and just talked about random Australian topics. It was a night enjoyed by all.

In the morning. Scratch that, late night, at 5am we woke up. Well, Ryan slept a little longer like always, but was able to grab breakfast and get on the caravan by 6:14am. In between the 4 hour drive to Uluru we stopped at various rest stops with camels and dingoes. Being a witness to God's majesty out there was truly spectacular! The deep reds in the sand contrasting with the bushes contrasting with the blue sky is an amazing sight. Coming up to the wonders that are Uluru and Kata Tjuta was long awaited and worth it. After settling into the camp site, we did a hike through Kata Tjuta which is the lesser known sister of Uluru, but in my opinion more beautiful. By now we had learned about the indigenous Australians to know a significant amount about them and their history. For example, the government's taking of their land then later giving it back with the opening of Uluru to full tourism rights.

Around sunset, we booked it back over to Uluru (only 20 minutes away) for the most beautiful sunset of my life! It was so amazing that it brought me to tears, but that could have been due to the spirit filled tunes of Rick Pino that I was listening to. Back in camp it was getting chili, so some of the group started to make a fire. I could tell that it was going to go to crap, so I stepped up to lead it. I got it started while staying humble (something I've been trying to work on). It was funny though because the Asians in the group clapped for me when it was lit.

After a moderately cold night in my swag (a bonafide mattress which you put your sleeping bag in) we were woken up just before 5am. This rude awakening was rewarded by another gorgeous trip to Uluru for sunrise. This was followed by a mediocre base walk around Uluru as compared to climbing it, which I wanted to do but was closed at the beginning of the day. Our tour guide Justine advised against climbing it anyways due to cultural offenses, but I took it up with MY God to decide if I was going to climb or not, and he clearly did NOT want me to. Next we went to the gift shop where I bought some goodies for some peeps (mom) and then we were off to another uncomfortable bus ride to Kings Canyon. On this 3 hour ride, I was starting to get sick of the red and taking pictures of it, but pushed through for my picture followers. Also on this trip I got to thinking a lot about stuff like how I don't know the ones I love as much as I would like. I want to work on getting to know people better in general because I feel like this is why some people may not like me that much (because I'm not as relational as I should be). I also feel like most of the time I'm too busy to do this, and is why I didn't do my RA duty as well as I had planned last year.

Anyways, we got to the Kings Canyon area in time for the Clemson group and Dustin to grab a great sunset atop some rocks. After another delicious Justine made meal, I was off to an early sleep where I had a nightmare of some creepy stalker that was holding me semi-captive, ya weird I know, but that's why they're nightmares I guess.

Another early morning brought a semi-strenuous hike through Kings Canyon, but it was gorgeous like everything else on the trip, and showed even more of God's beauty. It was lunch and then a 5 hour drive back to Alice Springs. We went to dinner with our group at a nice pub, but Justine never showed like she said she would, o well she was cool either way.

In the morning, the rest of the group I was with went to McDonalds and ANZAC hill, but I skipped out to get more sleep and because I was going to do this later. After a half awake, on my part, "send off," I went back to bed until 11:30am. When I got up I went off to town and went to a didgeridoo class that was offered for free by this famous player. I was intrigued because of the awesome sound this instrument makes and was even more intrigued after learning how to play, and experiencing it for myself. I now want one really bad to accompany my djembe. After lunch, a B double E double R U N, and ANOTHER amazing sunset at ANZAC hill in Alice, I was scurrying back to the hostel before night fall. Apparently the aboriginals roam around at night looking for trouble, and I could tell by the big group I bypassed on my way back. After a delicious subway meatball sub, I was off to talk to my love and see how her flowers were doing. Then, on the way back to my room I heard a djembe. I went to go check it out and it was, with a group of people and some guy that had fire twirling gear. After showing my skills and a jaw dropping display of fire madness, I went to bed.

Once I checked out at 10am, I chilled around the hostel, and killed time. Took a swim, went to McDonalds, uploaded photos, and skyped with Lindsay. 3pm, trip to the airport via $9 shuttle. I had contemplated walking 10 kilometres to save the expense, but didn't want to pass out in the middle of nowhere.

After many years of travelling by air with different groups of people, my time had finally come to go solo. There were no worries, seeing as I had done it so many times before and Alice Springs airport is SMALL. It doesn't have any terminal to plane ramps, just stairs to the plane and 1 or 2 runways. I would have taken a picture, but they had people making sure it didn't happen. Getting off the plane I noticed these two German girls that I'd seen since the hostel. I talked to them and they said they might be in Adelaide for a while depending on available work (haha, I’m trying to find my own job here). So I took them to their hostel and gave them my information, so we will see what they do. From there I went to the Duke for a $2 schooner then to wok in a box, THEN (finally) home.

In conclusion, the trip was a terrific experience and opened up my mind to some new things. I'll be seeing you all in a few weeks after my 2 week spring break with Dustin to the Gold Coast in sunny Queensland. We leave in 9 days, how bout that for a holiday (vacation) turn around! Till then, Pastor signing out
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Skype me at ballin_aviator
Text me at (704) 733-0569

Mail me at:
133/227 North Tce
Adelaide, SA 5000
Australia

Also see: www.nilsinadelaide.blogspot.com

Roller Coaster Ride [Computer LAB]

The start over here has been quite rocky. Between Internet being widely unavailable and the cloudy/rainy days, it has been down right depressing. I have been looking up though, I mean come on, I'm off on my own in a city thousands of miles from home. Learning to live on your own is quite challenging, and it's even harder in a foreign place with limited contact with home.

On a different note, I want to hear from y'all! What do you want to hear/see. I have lots to tell, but don't know where to start. So please contact me somehow (see below).

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Skype me at ballin_aviator
Text me at (704) 733-0569

Mail me at:
133/227 North Tce
Adelaide, SA 5000
Australia

Also see: www.nilsisinadelaide.blogspot.com

More fun than a barell of monkeys [Adelaide Baggage Claim]

Delays, jet lag, LEGAL, and excitement are all words that describe the trip thusfar. Aparently what I meant by "Sydney, right on over to Adelaide" was "fog in Sydney, rerouted to Brisbane, missed connecting flight, Qantas Airways hooked us up with a room for the day (to shower) and lunch, THEN right over to Adelaide. Overall it was an experience and God got us through it! Well gotta get my bags, till next time.

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Skype me at ballin_aviator

Mixed Emotions [LAX]

July 7th, a date that has been ingrained in my mind, and schedule, for the better part of a couple months now. It's here and I'm en route on an adventure to "the great country of Austrailia, where the koala bears live. " Saying goodbye to the ones I love was harder than I thought, but I have to look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. Now I'm off to Sydney then right on over to Adelaide.

'Gorgeous sunset at LAX, last sun for a while'
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Skype me at ballin_aviator

Welcome!

Hey everyone, welcome to my Australia blog. I will be updating you on how I'm doing, what I'm doing and everything in between. If you want to reach me you can email me at rpastor@clemson.edu or find me on skype at ballin_aviator. I encourage you to subscribe to the blog or save it under your favorites and check back frequently because I plan on posting at least once a day.. If there is anything you would like to see on the blog, such as pictures or things about Australia don't hesitate to ask. Also, feel free to comment on the blogs to let me know what's up.

Thanks
Ryan

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Skype me at ballin_aviator