The Last Spring Break

In case you have been wondering what had actually happened to me in the past three weeks or so, here is the explanation. Zahira came to Sydney on Thursday before we both travelled to Canberra where we spent the whole week of our spring break with some good old friends there. Oh, Didy and Hanna also came down from Brisbane, so that clarifies everything.

Let’s see what my view on this capital city of Australia is.

Well, to start with, the journey from Sydney down to Canberra via land takes approximately three and a half hours, which is not that long if compared to the travel time covered going to any other major cities here. Just in case you happen to be a nature lover, I would highly recommend you to travel during the day for along the way, you are welcome to put your sight on the wonderful scene of vast, green Australian land, joined by a spectacular sight of the majestically clear blue sky. OK, imagine now that we have passed through the three and a half hours travel period, the bad news is do not expect to be greeted by high-rise, eye-catching modern buildings once you arrive at the city of Canberra. To give you a rough idea, imagine a capital city of Putrajaya’s type.

Now, both Zahira and I were not heavily bothered by the dull sight of the city to be frank partly because we were already mentally prepared, and also for the reason that the purpose for the two of us going there was just to meet our friends. Now when you have already set your mind to go visit your them, I bet you will have little or no problem at all with their place simply because they are your friends even if for some reasons, the place happens to be an isolated island, agree?

OK, so Canberra is dull, apart from some very few unique places notably the old parliament house and of course, the current one. We were a bit lucky that spring is already here Down Under, and add that up to the fact that Canberra is well known for its natural beauty come the spring season- what you get is an annual flower exhibition called Floriade. Anyway we got the chance to visit all of the places I mentioned above except for the first one because we decided not to as there was just nothing interesting inside, and I was especially looking forward to the opportunity to get inside the New Parliament House. The visit, albeit brief, gave me a huge impression at the way they handled the place- you know, it is not easy to manage a tourists-accessible Parliament House, just think about the one we have in our country- and I left with a book about Australian Prime Ministers purchased and given by Zahira as a souvenir. Thanks!

Now, you might think how on earth those students who are sent there could survive in such a dull place then? A good idea will be to be close to each other and live in a way that complements everyone’s life… which is exactly what they are doing. Friends become families, regardless of races or personal beliefs.

I must thank two persons in particular for making our spring break a heavenly one, despite the dull state of the place. Lemi and Eri, you both had been great companions. No, not that the rest did not do enough to be counted, it is just that these two were simply too good to us during our stay. Lemi for one is my batchmate back in MCKK, but look, I was never that close to him during those days- apart from being basketball teammates in the early days and classmates in most of our study years, there is essentially nothing else- but the way he treated me during that one week stay, people might have been forgiven if they tend to have a wrong idea that we are best friends.

All in all I guess Canberra alone equals complete dullness but Canberra plus its people are just great. Hey, it is a compliment isn’t it?