My time at Wollam Gardens is coming to an end with 3 days left before hopping on a bus to New York and then on a plane to Iceland. While I am excited for the next part of my big trip (especially to see Mum, Dad and Megan in Europe!), I'm going to miss America, the farm and the people that I have met here.
I have really enjoyed the hands on experience, hard work and the knowledge I've gained. I never thought in a million years that I would enjoy and admit to liking weeding but I really find it quite therapeutic! After 2 months here I've decided my favourite flower is Matthiola Incana aka Stock followed by the Hydrangea Arborescens. When I come home I would definately consider buying land, starting a hobby flower farm and then seeing where it takes me.
As some of you know, no matter how many precautionary measures I take, I still get extremely sick on my travels and this holiday has been no exception. Firstly a tooth infection, followed by extraction and dry socket and next, another infection where I was put on a further 3 weeks of antibiotics. After $1000 in medical bills, having a needle jabbed in my butt cheek, being wrongly diagnosed and then sent for unnecessary lab testing (did I mention the American health system sucks), I'm finally fit and healthy and in need of a couple of strong drinks. Is it bad that at times my forced sobriety was more painful than my actual illness? Thanks to my travel insurance with World Nomads I've received a 75% refund on bills and can't recommend them enough.
As hard as I've tried, I haven't managed to stick to my paleo diet at all. Instead I've put on 6kg and am feeling fat and happy :) I've really enjoyed sampling all the goodies America has to offer like Hershey’s caramel kisses, pretzel M&M's, funnel cake and fried chicken. I'm going to find it hard to give up the American meal sizes!
I've tried to educate the American interns here on the Australian way of life. I've made them listen to things like Advance Australia Fair, Home among the Gum Trees, I Still Call Australia Home and Waltzing Matilda. Mum and Dad sent over some Aussie items like vegemite, Tim Tams and Cherry Ripes. Unfortunately the vegemite didn't go down too well and they have given me a bit of grief over how gross it is, so in revenge I made some gravy for tea one night and made sure to incorporate a good amount of vegemite for taste mwa ha.
Going to see Brad Paisley, Chris Young and Lee Brice in concert with the interns tomorrow night which I'm super excited for. Planning to get there early and have a parking lot party which apparently is the American thing to do. Last Monday we had a mock 4th of July celebration because both Jen and I are leaving the farm on Monday July 1. It was a great night with hamburgers, hotdogs, strawberry shortcake, s'mores, sparklers, fireworks and lots of decorations. It's been a while since I've blogged and I've managed to fit a lot in when not working so this is what I've been up to in a nut shell - went to DC and watched the NY Mets vs DC Nationals (many frozen daiquiris and margaritas were consumed), visited the Lincoln Memorial, Natural History and Holocaust Museums, attended a wedding being held at the farm, watched a bull riding event at Oakland Heights, went to Trivia Wednesdays at McMahons Pub, worked at 2 Sunday farmers markets in DuPont Circle, learnt to drive a tractor, ate my weight in donuts, brownies and chocolate chip cookies, had a pool and pizza party, had a true American Diner experience at Silver Diner, Fairfax, bagged some bargains at the local Goodwill and thrift shops, attempted to make opium tea (fail), attempted to catch catfish in the pond (fail), watched a lot of Jeopardy (nightly ritual), got attacked by the angry rooster while trying to get eggs from the coop, attended the Jeffersonton community monthly breakfast complete with pancakes, bacon, biscuits, gravy and grits, went wine and olive oil tasting at a local vineyard called Molon Lave and went on a educational visit to an organic vegetable farm.
Satisfied with visit to the US? Definately. Won't make it so long before I blog again. If you have time let me know how you're going. Lots of hugs.
