International Adventures...and some closer to home!

It’s Better To Own A Little And See The World, Than To Own The World & See Little

wildchildhannah — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 00:59:00 GMT

Living as an expat in a country like India, there are many common questions locals & travellers will ask you:-

* Where are you from?

* Why are you here?

* How did you get here?

* Do you like living in India (or varients of this)

* How long have you lived in India?

In context, these questions are basic, but when you take a step back & consider the depth of such questions, it leaves you pondering.

Having said that, getting the same questions on a daily basis means you create a standard repetoire of responses - Im from Oz, I live and work here in India, got offered an interesting job with the challenge of experiencing different cultures so though I'd give it a go.
Yes, I enjoy living in India - a country of many contrasts - filled with life, disparity, chaos, love, collectiveness & history. I've been here over 2 years - and even after that amount of time every day is different.

India is a challenge - put plain & simple. Coming from and Individualistic culture of Australia, where people focus on themselves & their immediate loved ones, it is quite a contrast living in a collective society. Some things I truely appreciate - caring for each other, ensuring a whole community plus your extened family is cared for, and the pure joy found in small things.

On the other hand, there are a variety of differences you encounter daily - the sheer number of 'festivals' (holidays) across many many religions - and the spirituality behind each and every one is astounding. The traditions that seem almost alien even when it is meant to ensure the best for the family unit (for example after a baby is born, the mother & child return to her mother's house ("Native place") for the first 5 months of the childs life. The father is often left behind to work and will only see mother & child when he goes to visit in the Native place. Arranged marraiges are another part of daily life in India one must adjust to. A concept so foreign to me that upon being asked by a local (upon their finding out that I'm not married) if would my parents arrange a marraige for me I often stare in horror. Not meaning to be rude, however if my father came to me and told me he had 'found me a husband' I'd probably ask him if he was looking to be put in a mental hospital. Having said that, this ancient tradition that came from dowries and political alignments has simmered down to the modern version of arranged marraige which is much akin to the western world's dating/matchmaking websites - only as many families in India put it - who is better to choose someone for you that those who love you the most - your parents.

Im drifting off topic... the point of all these experiences & learnings is ... exactly that - experience & learning.

I recently have been asked a lot WHY I travel - WHY do I like to travel when theoretically basis the money I have spent in the last 5 years on seeing this incredible world - had I saved said money, I would have been able to have paid off half a house by now. Well for me it's simple.

Whilst I still believe investments, and investing in ones future and ones family's future is importance, I also believe that in your eulogy no one will be shouting about how you paid off a house and the $1M you had saved. Its the people you connect with & the experiences you have that will essentially define who you are. Like everything in life - it's a balance. Create a base for yourself - but I truely believe there is nothing in life that will fulfill you morewhat you gain from travel.

My Scholarship entry - Understanding a Culture through Food

wildchildhannah — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:58:52 GMT

Having stashed my backpack in a locker back at the hostel, I lean over to try to steady the wooden canoe as I climb in. Joao, with his tatty baseball cap on backwards and ubiquitous havaianas rows us towards the middle of the Amazon. We quietly glide from muddy to black water and the gritty sounds of Manaus drifts into the distance. The trees are mirrored in the still waters making the river seem somehow smaller… I dip my hands in the cool water and am quickly reprimanded by Joao. "Not here," he says. "There are kanjiru - small fish who if they get onto you will eat you from inside out." That stopped me.
We drop our hammocks and bags at a small open hut with Joao's wife, and his son Thiago jumps in. An energetic 10 year old is eager to help he brings wooden fishing hooks on wire and we paddle into the depth of the jungle for lunch. Casting out and trying to avoid being thrown into the water by playful Thiago, I shriek with delight at the tug on my line. Worried about what I'm actually pulling up, Joao & Thiago clap when i bring up a medium-sized Piranha. I must have a look for joy mixed with terror on my face as I hold it at arms length, still over the water. Joao helps me bring it snapping and struggling onto the canoe and shows me how to hold it to keep its razor sharp tooth lined jaw open. Five Piranhas later we've dropped the fish to Joao's wife and are hiking through the jungle with Joao explaining how his tribe has survived for thousands of years in this wilderness. He show me tracks of the jaguar and cuts away a bark that will help heal the cut I have endured from running from a spider. Vines, I'm told, are fantastic for water and this is where much of the water for cooking comes from - however there are three vines that (to me) look identical - two have water, one has poison. Walking back with fresh water, wood for the fire and a grumbling stomach Thiago shows me how to mix our freshly picked herbs and we dress the piranha for our barbecue lunch.

The Help - Movie Review

wildchildhannah — Tue, 6 Sep 2011 12:58:00 GMT

On sunday night I went with friends and saw 'The Help.' I'm yet to read teh book, but I found the movie moving and inspirational.

I was fascinated by the extraoadinary women who lead in this film - Abelline, Skeeter & Tilly. The courage, strength and wisdom exhibited by Abelline and Tilly emphasised the importance of the role Skeeter has in writing one of the first novels of stories from black women. Skeeter practices and preaches understanding of social inequalities and injustice. She stands up to those as she finds her feet as to who she is. As much a journey of self - discovery for Skeeter as for the maids who are sharing their stories.

I was moved and inspired by one woman working with those who exist side by side but in a very different world. Her ideas and dreams enabled the disparring of the negative image of those employed by 'whites,' a new form of empathy and empowerment made possible through the shredding of prejudices by actively pursuing and publisheng stories thus enabling unheard voices.

In my Backyard – 5 Must Do Things in Melbourne, Australia

wildchildhannah — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:21:00 GMT

In my Backyard – 5 Must Do Things in Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is often hailed as the 'European capital of Australia.' It is also known for its infinate shopping options and the cafe/small bar culture that permeates each cultural hub within the city and it's inner 'burbs.

There are endless options for entertainment within Melbourne, but these are my TOP 5:

1. Check out the diverse bars and nightlife.

... I recommend The Alchemist (361 Brunswick St, Fitzroy) as a top cocktail bar with sensational cocktails, happy and friendly staff and an intimate atmosphere. There is also live jazz Tuesdays/Thursdays every week! For a longneck (aussie for 750ml beer), check out the ever-cool Section8 (Tattersalls Lane, CBD) for a graffiti covered shipping container-turned outdoor bar with live dj 7 nights. Workshop (Cnr A'Beckett and Elizabeth Sts, CBD) has dubstep and drum'n'base, and its outdoor terrace is a funky greenhouse theme with jugs of beer and open til late.

The Alchemist

2. Enjoy a brunch, any day of the week!

...So popular is the concept of brunch in Melbourne, most places serve breakfast all or most of the day! Sensational for all those on holiday and even better for your mid-morning breakfast... I love Auction Rooms (Errol St, North Melbourne), and their Siphon coffee will keep you going for hours. For a real Melbourne/European cafe experience, Degraves St off Flinders Lane (CBD) is a must, there are options galore! If anyone's a Vegetarian or Vegan, the best cafe in town is Vegie Bar (Brunswick St, Fitzroy) which offers cheap meals with huge portion sizes and fantastic coffee - the Falafel Wrap is SENSATIONAL!

Auction Rooms

3. Markets, markets and more markets!

...so many markets! Food, Clothing, Op, Art... you name it and you will find it somewhere in Melbourne. While a tourist attraction, Victoria Markets are my staple grocery shop and are half the price of any supermarket. South Melbourne markets offer some of the tastiest food treats in town and on sundays in St Kilda you can find one of the best Arts/Crafts markets in Australia.

Victoria Markets

4. Sporting moments...

...I LOVE going to live matches. I'm a massive football (soccer) fan, and you will often catch me at a local Melbourne Victory game. I also love watching Rugby Union and as there are two teams in Melbourne, theres a strong possiblity you will get the chance to watch a match. I'm not so into tennis but when the Aussie Open is on the atmosphere in and around the grounds will draw you in! And don't forget the races out at Flemington...!!

@ a Melbourne match...

5. Melbourne 'Areas' ... and the subcultures within!

...Within Melbourne and its inner suburbs, different areas are famous for different things. Fitzroy is the home of 'hipsters' with a strong art/music scene, galleries, and quirky clothing shops to match! St Kilda is known for backpackers, but is also frequented by the elite as posh areas Elwood and Brighton are close by... The Espy has become an instiution for live gigs, and the 'beach' lends to a similar equivalent to Sydney's Bondi. Chapel St is famous for its clubs with many open until the mid-morning hours, while North Melbourne is the up and coming area housing Victoria Markets. These are areas that you can wander through, get lost in, and absorb the atmosphere of which each is unique and different!

Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Discovering the underbelly of Brazilian Favela Neighbourhoods

wildchildhannah — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:46:00 GMT

Stepping off the bus in Rio de Janeiro, the heat of the early evening hit me as I met Fernando. His generous offer to have me stay made my fingers tingle with nerves once he uttered the words “I live in Rocinha.”

We played cat and mouse with the chaos of the traffic to board the bus and 15 minutes later I nearly crush an old lady as the bus screeches to a halt - 2m past our bus stop!

As we wander into Rocinha, I feel the excitement of life pulse through all that’s around me. It’s an energy that leaves a smile on my face. Fernando knows everyone, and as I follow him up the winding cobblestone streets fringed with carts and stalls - scents of Churrasco and charcoal corn wafting around me - he banters with children, friends, and elders. Amongst the evident squalor and uneven brick homes, it is an enchanting moment filled with the exquisite and touching spirit of hope, joy and happiness that can only belong to those in Rocinha.

After dropping my bag on his cardboard-lined living room floor, we run though the streets like children chasing an escapee football. Each person we pass offers us beer, Cachaca and glowing tubes of flavoured spirits. Fernando grabs my hand as we turn the corner into a cobblestone plaza the size of a football field. In true Rocinha stlye, the area is lit up with mismatched lights, from coloured swirling disco balls, to lamps attached to the bordering lattice. At one end there is a stage with a local artist performing samba songs to a throng of thong-clad, glow-stick wearing locals. I can’t help grinning as I watch everyone from toddlers to grandparents dance through the night.

I meet Fernando’s amigos who instantly take it in turns teaching me the gruelling steps of Brazilian Samba (even now I’m still not sure whether the next day my body was sore from dancing or laughing as I stumbled through the steps that are the gateway to Brazilian culture). I was accompanied by Caipirinhas – Brazil’s national cocktail – of which the coolness of the crushed ice in combination with the freshness of the tangy lime afforded me the vivacity to continue through the night.

At around 5am my new friends and I wandered up the winding lanes. As we passed a crew that had taken to patrolling the streets masquerading as law enforcement, I burst out laughing as their machine guns were decked out in ‘bling.’

At the top, and out of breath, we sat on a broken wall and watched as dawn broke. Lights began to turn off, and the shadows of the mountains lay to the west. The blue-grey of the sky moved away from the sea and a tranquil calm rested over the neighborhood. Laughter of a happy young couple drifted away with the clouds and as the sun rose we basked in the memories of such an incredible night.