im trying to plan for my last few days here in Oz, because i dont want to have high amounts of leftover currency and have to trade them in for kiwi dollars.  i also dont want to buy tons of food because itll make my pack heavier and i dont wanna fly with it... idk its all strategical and whatnot. 

i just arrived in byron bay today, and its this magical mix of santa cruz hippie chic and progressiveness in the food arena, and the santa barbara laidback-ness of a surfing community.  its like im back in college and it feels amazeballs.  i am SO glad i just outright booked my last two days here.  my hostel even has a pool!  and americans!!  i think it used to be a motel and was then converted.  wish the weather wasnt shitty but you cant have everything and at least its not cold.  im in shorts right meow. 

chatted with some canadian woman on the bus about how freakin expensive this country is.  i honestly cant begin to tell you how flabberghasting it is to try and buy a case of cheap beer and have it be upwards of $40.  but i did find a cute dress for like $20 and finally bought some toenail clippers but had to pass on the eyeliner ($23 are you kidding me?!).  ah, the essentials, i suppose.

i keep getting reminded that this country is like the US in so many ways.  at least i keep doing the same things that i would naturally be doing back home, anyway.  movies, beach, wine tasting, beer, road trips... maybe thats why im so excited to move on.  looking for something different than my normal life.  

i have also been considering the fact that for some people i am an emotional drive-by.  i engage perfect strangers in intimate and revealing conversations, truly connecting with them, then leaving them in the dust as i go along my merry way.  this lovely german man seemed to be slightly upset that he and i shared some private things with each other and that i would simply be evaporating from his life.  im thinking that perhaps it was an unusual occurence for him, but more likely a few people have felt the same way.  perhaps i should think before i divulge. 

or not.  those conversations are super fun. 

also: the voices in my head seem to be changing nationalities on a regular basis.  super frustrating.

sorry about all the made-up words.  i was just feeling it today.