Home away from Home - Sydney Chapter 2

Some people enter to leave an indelible mark on the roadmap of our lives. Do we cross paths for a reason or is it mere co- incidence? Do these encounters hold any significance at all or do they enlighten the soul's purpose? Is it growth & elevation we gain through experiences we have with them, or is it inspiration we draw from them? Or maybe they are angels sent to walk beside us on an unexpected journey?

The last few years have been radically transitional,to say the least. During this drastic transition, among other things we built  relationships.While some play a prominent role, a few remain acquaintances and others negligible and lost on the way.

Australia was never part of our otherwise well- settled life back in India where we were raised & bred in an environment we have fundamentally known. To be precise it was just a country-continent on the globe, down under.

Back home we wake up every morning to a predictable day with minimum ammendment in our routine. Cawing of crows, flocking of pigeons in balconies, sound of the temple bells, housemaids ringing on our doors, the barking of street dogs, daily attendance of the newspaper man & milkman and noisy, slow- moving heavy traffic is the order of the day.

Our lives changed overnight when an unforseen event transported us to a land of complete unfamiliarity. 

All of a sudden these sounds were muted. Family & friends we had around us felt far away & isolated, not emotionally though. Nobody visited unless notified, erratic weather conditions put us on survival mode.

We felt almost alienated in a country of multi- nationals for obvious reasons.They appear behave, speak and are cultured differently in terms of food, clothing, lifestyle, ethics, perspectives.To say that the sound of chirping birds,appearance of dogs/pets,species of animals and even leaves on the trees was unrecognizable, is not exaggerating. We were extracted from our comfort zone! The change was both intriguing & demanding but we assured ourselves of breathing on the same planet,only amongst a flora and fauna we aren't compliant with. 

Amidst this uniqueness we must find our foot,  an identity and acceptance that was far more strenuous than we imagined so taking the leap of faith, step after step we kept going, believing there is a path ahead.

New arrival immigrants have a lot to prove. Confirming visa statuses,figuring job opportunities,enquiries on immigration laws & rules,opening of bank accounts,checking on medical facilities,health insurances and registering tax file numbers,we worked through the minute details of every aspect within the framework of legal systems. 

From understanding the value of Australia's currency, identifying local groceries, learning names of suburbs, housing & finding our way through routes,we perfected the use of light rails, buses and trains until eventually we bought a car.

Within 6 months we moved into a more comfortable space in a convenient location that gives accessibilty to the station, shops, banks, gyms, restaurants, cafes and a massive library right in the neighbourhood. A 24-hr Mac Donalds,Subway and Dominos in the immediate vicinity make it exciting - their version of  Saravana Bhavan & MTR Idli/ Dosa without which we cannot imagine our lives!     

Circumstances changed,priorities shifted. My husband and I found 'us' in a long distance marriage.The responsibilities we shared being together are now taken up individually across continents. Our roles reversed in some ways. It was a tough swap but we didn't complain. Being physically apart, yet entwined with updates over lengthy conversations on all topics thanks to cost-free technology methods, and taking regular flights back and forth becomes essential while leading this dual life. 

I got the exposure I never had and he, navigated his way to the kitchen! He mastered the art of cooking and discovered for himself, a new passion.

Even our social lives altered. While I go to dinner invites, lunches  and coffees here, he catches up with friends & relatives over weekends there.

Fortunate for wonderful friends we have made from different nationalities, and food as always becomes our easiest love language.Our way to express love and care through the act of feeding is the core of Indian hospitality that blends and binds us.They are fascinated to be introduced to our authentic flavours of the 'real' butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, dal makhani and Manglorean prawns ghee roast.

More surprisingly, we have now started bumping into people we know -at shopping centres, departmental stores, on evening walks and even at the chemist or post office.

And finally, yes finally I grasp the Aussie accent and slangs that took time and reasonable effort.   

Days, weeks, months and 4 years later Sydney doesn't feel strange anymore.It feels like a calm, relaxed home away from home.I enjoy watching the cockatoos, love the brushing of clean breeze on my skin sitting by the beautiful white sand beaches one can never get enough of, biting into the juicy stone fruits including plums, cherries and peaches, relishing  delectable variations of cheese,healthy sourdough and the tastiest butter crossaints.

The Australian beer battered Barramundi Fish  & chips paired with a large portion of russet potato french fries served with fresh green salad, a big wedge of lemon & creamy tartare sauce is my anytime favorite meal.

Australians are the loveliest, friendliest & most polite I've known. They pass warm smiles without reason, give way at public areas without pushing or rushing, never fail to say sorry-please-thank you and greet with a "Hi beautiful" or a "Hello lovely" each time you enter a store making your day brighter. My personal interactions with them go from good to commendable!!

Game-changers can make you feel mentally & physically stretched but it also refreshes the body & mind ,motivates new goals,activates the brain to think intelligently creating room for new adventures.  

Not always do we plan our destinations, some are born out of a real-life story.