Lessons from the Land Down Under

A transplant has specific criteria or requires comprehensive compatibility usually gauged by repeated crossmatching and other tests. And even then, there is that possibility that the recipient rejects the donated/ transplanted organ.

The same goes for migration or transplanting oneself to a new country, sometimes a newer environment, culture and life altogether. I always saw it as a big move, a bold undertaking hence one need not only be equipped with a certain set of skills but also undergo rigorous preparation. After all, moving means, leaving something behind while learning something new.

And after 6 months of living in Australia, Ive picked up a few things. As to whether it makes me a more well-rounded person, Im not sure. I am certain however that these skills or lessons have assured me not only of survival and sustenance but also sweetness. :) 

1. How to make a great cup of coffee and tea.

Here in Australia, especially in Melbourne, coffee is sacred. There are stark differences between lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites and other coffee variations. A typical Melburnian is a coffee critic and usually lives off caffeine. Tea on the other hand, has its British European roots. It permeates day to day living - there’s morning tea, afternoon tea, and sometimes whats commonly known as dinner is also called tea. 

2. How to greet people and seem/ appear as the most intent and discerning listener. 

the first couple of weeks, or let’s be honest, months, I always felt awkward when I was greeted, “Hi, how are you?” or “How’s it going?” I mean, how does one answer that? Is it more of a rhetorical question. Sometimes it’s just how they say hello, sometimes, they really want to know. But always, I found it’s best to say good, great, awesome and return the question to them. 

3. How to make a stellar brunch. 

My first weekend in Melbourne, I was initiated into a practice that’s big in their culture : brunch. And how I loved it, the smell of coffee and toast floating in the air, the sun peering into the windows and blinds, lines leading up to the barista, people competing for an outdoor table, and big portions of beautifully garnished food. It was heavenly and my stomach smiled even before I started eating. Whether their nursing a hangover, just waking up from a long sleep in, coming from a morning run or dressed to the nines with a long shopping day ahead, every single person is smiling, no table is silent as everyone seems to be catching up. I loved it, tried to save my money during weekdays so I had enough for the weekend brunches. But at one point, after one too many cafes, and after burning a hole into my wallet, I realized “Hey, I can make this stuff, tailor it to my liking and not have to spend a fortune nor leave the house.” Today I boast of making the perfect eggs – in any way you like it – poached, devilled, scrambled or sunny side up. The cafes get their bread and leaves from the supermarket too. And after much experimentation, I have developed different kinds of delicious dips and dressings to perk up those breads and salads.

And in the process, I’ve only served lovingly prepared, sometimes ascetic but never boring and always sumptuous meals. Or at least, so far.  ;)

4. How to make the most out of what’s FREE. Or dirt cheap.

To say the best things in life are free would be taking it a bit too far, rather I’ve learned how to get the best out of those free or dirt cheap things in Australian living.

One great thing about living in such a tourism-driven and metropolitan area is shuttle services. In Sydney there are green buses that round the CBD every 10 minutes. In Melbourne, the rides travelling along the city circle tram line are free as well. There is also a tour tram every weekend. And on weekends, it’s roam as much as you want, as far as you want for a fixed fare of 3.50.

Some of the best museums do not charge an entrance fee, however, some exhibits are restricted to paying customers. But still, there are heaps of galleries and displays to marvel at.  Also, in certain parts of the city and at certain days and time, are free activities – like taichi or belly dancing or aerobics to name a few. And on weekends, when I feel like catching a live band or a show but am too much of a stingy tight ass to pay entrance fee to a bar, I roam the streets and am always treated to entertaining performances, of musicians, of dancers, of artists, of stone figurines, of magicians. Sometimes, when Im lucky, I get to hold audience to world-class talent while enjoying my favourite sushi roll or my pick drink. FOR FREE. Unless they have signs saying “Not tipping leads to being barren.”

 5. How to navigate and reach far flung places without getting lost. and How to value time. 

To the snotty ladies and gents who say the public transportation system of Australia is rubbish, I say, well you probably haven’t been to a third world country. No offense to the amusing tricycle and jeepney drivers of Manila, the crazy drivers of crazy old buses who get you to your destination in half the time but by the time you get there you’re sweaty and reek of smoke - commuting in Manila is entertaining sometimes but well, it’s also chaotic. There aren’t fixed time tables and even if there were, good luck to it leaving and arriving on time. 

 But here, GPS works, most of the time and there are journey planner applications everywhere. It is rare for a train, tram or bus to be late and usually when repairs or construction is ongoing, they always provide a replacement service to mitigate for the inconvenience. Hence, I taught myself how to decipher the once-cryptic GPS navigation system and how to manage my travels through journey planners. And soon enough, I was able to reach different and distant places on my own without appearing moronic. 

In the process, I also learned how to value time to the very minute. Because trains and trams won’t wait for you. Walk a little slower than you usually do without allotting extra time for it and you’ll miss a ride, have to wait for the next one and end up being late for a reservation, or a meeting or an interview.

6. How to layer, layer and top it up with a prayer.

Melbourne tends to have four seasons in a day. The weather’s very temperamental and can change without warning. A warm sunny day can turn into a windy and cool one. Hence, I learned the art of layering, always having a blazer and bonnet in my bag. (which I never had to do in Manila) I then learned how to soak up as much sun as I can because during Autumn, Winter and Spring, that doesn’t happen all too often. And warm sunny days are a rarity and a blessing. 

Altogether, because starting out in a new place is indeed a big adventure and sort of like a new venture, it’s always good to utter a little prayer. That the winds may be mild, that I’d always have a skip in my stride and that luck would remain on my side. :)