Australia 2007
Presently I am reading the book "Bella Tuscany" by Fances Mayes. It is a sort-of sequel to her first book, "Under the Tuscan Sun". Many of you are probably familiar with this title from the popular movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun" with Diane Lane, which was based on this book by Frances.
For some reason, I was really excited to see the movie when it came out on DVD, but I decided to read the book first. I was in for a treat! I have already posted several quotes from Frances which you can find in the archives, and they are simply irrisistable. The way her words capture my own imagination... they way she is able to transfer the beauty that she sees before her own eyes onto paper is amazing & to be admired. The movie was also very refreshing (I own it).
So, right now as I read Bella Tuscany, I often find myself dreaming. Dreaming of retiring in Italy one day. Dreaming of all of the places in Europe that I wish to visit. Thinking to myself that Italy can't really be as wonderful as Frances makes it sound... but then I remember that one of my dear friends Calley has been there and said it is the most beautiful place she has ever been. Specifically one town on the coast... but I can't remember the name. And Calley is well travelled.
Here is a paragraph from todays reading....
"I still can't resist the magnetic pull of abandoned farmhouses. Every few miles Ed pulls over, and we step through briars, mentally restoring and moving into the mellow house which often has no roof. In the larger villages, such as Castiglione del Lago, Citta della Pieve, and especially in Passignano, which is right on the lake, there are a few other travellers but no one is pouring
off buses or streaming through the streets with the kind of
determination I often have. Around here, travellers are more
inclined to sit on a lakeside patio eating roasted red pepper pizza, or to stroll along a wall under a Renaissance gate, or to drive through the fresh countryside with the windows down, perhaps turning up the tape of Pavarottie singing break-your-
heart arias to maximum volume."
off buses or streaming through the streets with the kind of
determination I often have. Around here, travellers are more
inclined to sit on a lakeside patio eating roasted red pepper pizza, or to stroll along a wall under a Renaissance gate, or to drive through the fresh countryside with the windows down, perhaps turning up the tape of Pavarottie singing break-your-
heart arias to maximum volume."
How perfect is that? Perfect. Anyway... onto the title of this post...
Australia 2007. (Speaking of dreaming about foreign places... suddenly this dream becomes closer to a reality.) Kris wants to go and study abroad for one or two semesters at The Sunshine Coast University in Queensland, Australia. It is about an hour or so north of Brisbane, on the coast. One of his friends did this a year or so ago, who also was going to Algoma University (where Kris presently attends). He told Kris and I about his adventures and how Algoma University has an agreement with Sunshine Coast to equally transfer academic credits. Sooo... being the Australian-wannabee that I am... I suggested to Kris that we do this some day too. Luke (our friend) told us that fall of 2007 would be the best time to go (except I think they start their semester in August, so we would go then). So I think that this is what we are presently hoping for. And hopefully we will have the determination and willpower to save what little money we may be able to save (once I find a job) for our flights over there... (Flying to Australia is the longest flight
there is from Canada - something like 22 hours in the air. Typically, a flight for one person costs about $6000 CDN, however they do go on sale from time to time for about half the price, depending on what time of year you go.)
So that is one of our dreams, that I am trying to convince myself really & truly could become a reality if we put our minds to it and devote ourselves to it in prayer. Exciting, ain't it? :o) We do tend to be travel bugs... We've only been back in Canada from the Dominican for 9 months and after we had been here for about 5 I was already wanting to live in another place. But Canada is marvelous, and I truly am glad to be here right now amidst the beautiful cold snow & the pine trees. I find myself not wanting winter to end after missing out on it last year!
Well, this brings my post to an end. Maybe I'll add some pictures of Australia... :o)
Above: "12 Apostles" located in Victoria, Australia. Photograph by Walton.
Australia 2007. (Speaking of dreaming about foreign places... suddenly this dream becomes closer to a reality.) Kris wants to go and study abroad for one or two semesters at The Sunshine Coast University in Queensland, Australia. It is about an hour or so north of Brisbane, on the coast. One of his friends did this a year or so ago, who also was going to Algoma University (where Kris presently attends). He told Kris and I about his adventures and how Algoma University has an agreement with Sunshine Coast to equally transfer academic credits. Sooo... being the Australian-wannabee that I am... I suggested to Kris that we do this some day too. Luke (our friend) told us that fall of 2007 would be the best time to go (except I think they start their semester in August, so we would go then). So I think that this is what we are presently hoping for. And hopefully we will have the determination and willpower to save what little money we may be able to save (once I find a job) for our flights over there... (Flying to Australia is the longest flight
there is from Canada - something like 22 hours in the air. Typically, a flight for one person costs about $6000 CDN, however they do go on sale from time to time for about half the price, depending on what time of year you go.)So that is one of our dreams, that I am trying to convince myself really & truly could become a reality if we put our minds to it and devote ourselves to it in prayer. Exciting, ain't it? :o) We do tend to be travel bugs... We've only been back in Canada from the Dominican for 9 months and after we had been here for about 5 I was already wanting to live in another place. But Canada is marvelous, and I truly am glad to be here right now amidst the beautiful cold snow & the pine trees. I find myself not wanting winter to end after missing out on it last year!
Well, this brings my post to an end. Maybe I'll add some pictures of Australia... :o)
Above: "12 Apostles" located in Victoria, Australia. Photograph by Walton.
posted by Virginia at
9:49 AM
2 Comments:
I love to hear you dreaming! This is such a good thing for your soul. I will be in prayer with you. There is a chain of 5 villages on the Italian Riveria called Cinque Terre that is the most romantic place i have ever been. The beach is all multi-colored stones. A close second is the Boboli Gardens in Florence. They have the softest grass i have ever stepped on. Italy really is all they say it is...
hey virginia,
i got my flight to oz for 2200, and that was on one of the nicest airlines in the world and during the christmas rush. off season, on sale, on a not-so-fabulous airline, you could probably get seats for 1600 each.
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