Settling In

For the past week, I've been settling into my new place.  Settling in is somewhat difficult, especially when all you've brought with you to another country is clothing, a computer, and cash.  This process has made me keenly aware of how much stuff it takes to make a life.  Of course, by life I mean a life with a certain standard of living and all the luxuries that my American self has come to see as necessity.  In the midst of all this settling in, I've had a few opportunities to have some fun and start living life in Melbourne.

Last Wednesday, my housemate Rob invited me to play some soccer with a group that gets together every week and plays a pick up game.  See, soccer used to be my thing back in high school and although I took a four year detour for the swimming pool, I still love playing.  To my relief, my skills weren't too rusty (what skill I ever had is debatable of course), and I quite enjoyed myself there out on the makeshift field composed of a few bike helmets and some shirts.  Funny enough, Rob's friend Mic told me how to get to the field from where my apartment is, but went there separately.  Off the tram on Royal Parade, I arrived at the spot I thought would be the field and saw a gathering of around thirty people or so.  As I approached the group, all their heads gazed towards my direction and a guy in the middle said, "You here for the run?"  "This isn't for soccer?" I asked.  "Naw, mate.  This group's for runnas."  Embarrassed just a bit, I began scanning for a soccer ball being kicked around somewhere.  Way off in the distance I spotted one, and walked a bit more briskly there than would have been necessary, but I had to distance myself from the "runnas".  Those playing were from all over the world I found out.  Some were from Scotland (and would playfully let you know when Scotland had just scored a goal on you), others from France, Kenya, Iran, and of course Oz.

On Sunday, the country observed a national day of mourning.  The bush fires that have claimed the lives of so many and rising have been happening just north east of Melbourne.  However, I feel so removed from them being in a big city and all.  Every now and then, you get a whiff of smoke or burning wood in the air, but mostly what I know I hear from the newspapers and general public discourse.  Australia's a paradoxical country in many ways.  While suffering a long standing drought for around twelve years, the south eastern portion of the country is on fire and the north eastern part is flooded.  But I've been amazed by how supportive and considerate the Australian people have been.  They are more than willing to give money left and right to different organizations, and I've even heard some say that the general bushfire relief movement has more than enough money.  Of course, more bodies will be found and more deaths will be confirmed and no amount of money will ever make up for that.  As much as Americans don't pay attention to Australia, we could learn a thing or two by their example of generosity and sense of community.  Maybe that's part of living in a harsh environment that can take a lot out of you if you're not "in it together".  In a way, I feel honored to have bore witness to the nation coming together like this to help their fellow mates.  The situation is devastating and the loss of life is terrible, but it has shown the Australian true colors, and I can say with certainty I'm living in a nation that cares for their fellow human.