So here we are. It’s a month and 6 days before I board my flight and travel across the universe. At this point the reality of my journey is both a distant fantasy and so close that it eats up my air. I find myself in alternating states of wondrous excitement and crushing anxiety. Although I have traveled without my family before this will be the first time where I will be traveling by myself without any adult guidance – which scares the heck out of me. I’m sure everything will be fine, but there are still those little annoying voices that say “what if you fall asleep on your layover and miss your flight,” “what if you get lost,” “what if I’m completely fiscally irresponsible and go broke,” etc. Normally I can temporarily tame this anxiety with some preplanning and a piping hot cup of tea.
Although I am quite worrisome (hopefully to my benefit later) I am also incredibly excited or all the wonderful opportunities and adventures that I will have while I am in Newcastle, NSW. While I have been on the Winter holiday from school I have been doing some research about Newcastle’s history and the impact it has on their culture. As an art history and art studio double major I am incredibly excited about the history of where I will be staying and how humans throughout history have been able to influence contemporary Australia – especially how it impacts the art community and the Aboriginal populations in that region. Per Newcastle’s local government website, the city was colonized twice by English colonizers, and the second time it was populated with convicts whose labor in extracting coal was their punishment. The name Newcastle was inspired by the original Newcastle in England that was also a coalmining town.
Now, there are several cultural attractions where you can see the history of coalmining and lumbering an its long-term effects on the city.
Some of the areas that I am most excited for lie in the cities entertainment and arts districts. Yesterday, when I wasn’t getting side tracked watching Hamilton videos on YouTube, I was assembling a short bucket list or while I am abroad and most are either visual arts or theater events.
Aussie Bucket List:
· “The Seven Stages of Grieving” Civic Theatre in Newcastle
· “Rent” by Pantseat Performing Arts
· Newcastle Museum
· Newcastle Art Gallery
· Blackbutt Nature Reserve
· Christ Church Cathedral
· Bogey Hole
· Convict Lumberyard
· The Lock Up
· Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney
Essentially, although I’m terrified about the process of getting there, the excitement for all the adventures I have while I am in Australia significantly outweighs whatever anxiety I am feeling.
Until next time!