Over the past decade, many people have asked me, "Why did you move to Australia"? There would be lots of good answers to that question, I suppose, and it just depends on the context. Other parents would understand if I told them I moved here to let the kids be kids longer, or that living in a sunny climate was good for kids because they could be outside. Work mates who know me well would understand if I said I thought the type of work I do is full of opportunity in Australia. People who are married to partners from other countries understand if I say I came because my husband is from here. All of these things are most certainly true, but the thing that drew me here most strongly, and continues to keep me in love with this place is, it's different here.
When I say it's different, I mean it's really different from where I started in Portland, Oregon.
Oregon is cold, Perth is hot. Oregon is green. Perth....not so much. Oregon has beautiful rugged coastlines. Perth has white sandy beaches and the surf patrol people in their iconic hats. Perth has kangaroos, and colourful birds. Ever seen a pink and grey bird fly through your backyard? How about a bright green, blue and red one?
Yes, these things are different.
What is also different is a strong sense of community that comes through in Australia. America certainly has this in places as well, but I feel it most strongly here.
But it makes me wonder....if there is such a strong sense of community and it is so different, why are people still isolated, and why is the Australian government having as much trouble as the rest of the world in trying to figure out the best way to "care" for older people over the next few years?
I have some ideas and some things I'd like to explore. I hope you'll give me some of your ideas and we can explore this together. Hopefully One day we can all say the same thing about the place we call home...it's different here!
No comments:
Post a Comment