And what an odyssey it was.......
That's not implying that i enjoyed myself, or had a great time down under, but it certainly was an interesting experience, in too many ways and with too great a spectrum of emotions for me to adequately express in the grossly limited medium of words.
Perhaps suffice to say that personally, my biggest and most fulfilling takeaway would be the strengthened relatioships and bonds forged with certain people. Across the span of those three weeks, i inevitably spent much time and interacted a lot with some of the lads, and i must say that, even if nothing else, the exercise has allowed me to grow closer to some of them and understand them better. Not all of these interactions can be classified as positive ones of course, but they were memorable nonetheless. I certainly look forward to building upon these relationships (even if not in this setting).
Another plus would probably be the sights i was exposed to, out in the field. I'm sure those rolling plains and magnificent peaks will be etched in my mind for years (or at least months) to come. And as someone with a rather adventurous spirit (i would like to think!), i would rather be thankful for the entire exercise i've had the chance to experience, rather than complain about the less-than-savoury conditions we had to put up with. Undoubtedly, there's a whole myriad of unique memories to be kept. The wallabys and kangaroos leaping by, peering curiously at passers-by. The pesky little black and white birds (i still don't know what they're called!) that keep swooping down on passers-by, catching them unawares. The searing afternoon heat and plummeting less-than-snug temperatures at night. The torrents of water that hurtle down the side of the tents and swirl around the safari beds when the skies let loose. The tents that morph into GREENhouses (both literally and figuratively!) under the blazing sun, engulfing us in the trapped heat. The long, winding queues at the cookhouse tentage that form at the cue of a curt blast from danial's tonner truck. The many deprived souls craving for the exorbitantly overpriced delicacies at the canteen. The long treks from tentage to store container to vehicle park to cookhouse to tentage (and back again) that had me zig-zagging continuously across the entire camp.
The R&R period (i refuse to call it ETP as it was hardly an EDUCATIONAL Tour Programme), though short, allowed me a glimpse into the city of Rockhampton. And i find it such a pleasant place, devoid of the large swathes of busy crowds in a constant state of rush, with the traffic relatively free-flowing, even in the city centre. There are plenty of laidback charms in the city, such as the serenity of the Botanical Gardens and zoo, the many parks and gardens dotting the city, or even just the quiet avenues with beautiful houses and architecture. All this set against the spectacular backdrop of the Berserker Range and Mount Archer.
Then again, inevitably, it wasn't all joy and laughter. Longstanding problems persist, and most are linked to who else but ___________. But it's not worth writing about these and going on and on about the See Ass Am. After all, what's new.
Generally speaking, i'm glad i went through this exercise, as i got to experience many things i would otherwise never have experienced. I'm thankful for the strengthened relationships, and also thankful that i pulled through relatively unscathed. A memorable experience, but stilll...
Ah, y'guys know what i mean.
