Before leaving the states I was asked several times, “So, are you ready?” as if I even knew what that meant. I couldn’t wrap my head around the idea of traveling across the world to an island where I would know only nineteen out of the estimated 23,720,000 people who make up Australia. Fifteen hours of plane travel, and our journey in Sydney together had yet to begin. However, after two and a half weeks in Australia I could likely convince you we have been here for two and a half years. The amount of knowledge and insight I have gained and distances I have traveled are more than many born and raised Aussies themselves.
I have learned that this is partly because most Australians struggle to understand what characterizes their country. Various lectures have taught me about Australia’s fluctuating national identity for an array of reasons including the lack of an accepted national anthem, a hybrid flag, an overseas Head of State, and a history of only participating in their allies’ wars as opposed to their own. Additionally, Australians align themselves and participate enthusiastically in American culture. According to statistics, out of all-time top ten grossing films at the box office only one film was Australian. Out of all-time selling music albums only one album was Australian. Known as “The Imaginary Nation”, Australia has evolved considerably since the colonial era and since become an increasingly multicultural and diverse society that parallels America’s own “Melting Pot.” These trends hint at the links that Australians share with the world around them while simultaneously noting their shifting identity as Australia’s citizens.
However, I feel I have benefited most through my physical engagement with the intriguing lifestyle and culture of the Australian people despite the valuable in-class time at Sydney University (Uni). I have been experiencing this extraordinary place with my peers through multiple forms of transportation including public and private buses, ferries, cableways, railways, trains, soon planes, but primarily on foot.
On several occasions I have traveled distances that I would not be convinced to hike prior to this trip. For example, after a four hour long bushwalk in the Blue Mountains (the morning after a free day) we finished off the trek by climbing hundreds of steps (not an exaggeration) at a 52 degree incline from the Grand Canyon track to Evan’s lookout. The hundred steps became entertaining as the group came to realize we had underestimated the seemingly never-ending painful climb. In fact, we even chose to start off running up the stairs assuming the finish line was around the corner. Twenty minutes later and I was still climbing. There were times when you came to a bend in the path and could not possibly imagine another set of stairs, but … well, sure enough… I’m sure you can guess.
Currently, the bottoms of my feet are all cut up with blisters between every other toe, accompanying an apparent flip flop tan line that undoubtedly draws in onlookers attention. But this is not due to the Blue Mountains. This is the result of last weekend’s journey.
With a three day weekend ahead, Lucas, Stein, Caleb, and I set forth to seek out an adventure that would bring us to a new part of Sydney. However, we ended up leaving Sydney entirely. We made our way far south en route to Royal National Park, the world’s second-oldest national park and a place I will never forget.
We hiked about 15-20 miles (24-30 km) in just two days in order to reach our destination: Wattamolla Beach. Along the coastal trail we stood on the edge of hundred meter cliffs, walked across long stretches of beach, and cooled ourselves off in the glistening ocean.
We stumbled upon the “Wedding Cake Rock,” fittingly named for its slice of white limestone projecting out from the cliffs in a triangular shape. Around the corner and right before our eyes was a vast landscape made up of vibrantly colored rocks ranging from light shades of ochre to deep shades of violet. This path eventually guided us into the depths of the bush which (finally) opened up to the moment we had been waiting for all day—Wattamolla Beach!
After a night of camping on the sand we woke with the sunset and soon locals began pouring onto the beach. They set up their barbeques, jumped off cliffs, swimmed in the lagoon and scuba dived in the ocean. Overall, the entire trek was well worth it and only encouraged me to continue exceeding beyond the boundaries, ultimately making this experience limitless.