You're grabbing your hat, it's off to the races again

I can’t believe my time in Condobolin is almost up, the time has flown by, and I really feel I’ve been taken care of by the community- I’ve been to family barbeques, birthdays and tea, out to see the shearing sheds, treated to countless drinks and homecooked meals, and next weekend I’ll be a VIP at the biggest horserace of the year. The people here are so warm and unforgettable, truly my Ozzie family, and they continue to take care of me after I leave, giving me contacts for their families all around Australia, and the rest of the world. And, of course, I’ll miss the backpackers upstairs. Two of the boys left last week, and I was surprised to miss them so terribly. It’s funny how quickly you grow attached to people when you are travelling. You spark these connections, and you compress months of friendship into a few weeks, and then, just as suddenly, they are gone, just a facebook message and an email now and then. Chances are I’ll never see most of these people again, but I am determined to make it back to Condo. These people are not travellers, they didn’t place a time limit on their hospitality, I’m part of the gang for life. It’s up to me to keep up my end of the deal. And I fully intend to.

I am really really really looking forward to going up the east coast. I know it's the backpacker trail and everyone has done it, but dammit, it's my turn now! I'm planning on getting my PADI certification in Townsville, so I can dive the Barrier Reef, which has been a life long dream of mine. Just like seeing the Opera House, I can't believe I actually am here, getting to do these things I had dream of since I was a child. Really, since I saw Rescuers Down Under... which, seriously, Australia is just like that. WAY TO GO DISNEY. You nailed it. Anyway, I still have a great last week in Condo,and going to go to the races this weekend will be a perfect final, totally ozzie bushland send off, complete with all the grog that I can skull. Translation: all the beer that I can drink.