Let's go get lost anywhere in the USA

Having family in a foreign country can be interesting... On one hand it's a pilgrimage to see them, but I already mentioned this last time so I'll move on. I've been lucky enough to visit my brother and his family in Arizona before (this is my third time) and yet sadly I have yet to explore much further than the few blocks that comprise their neighbourhood. I find this is the case when visiting family in exotic locales. All our time is spent enjoying one another's company, which is awesome, however I feel like I've been going to Phoenix without ever having gone to Phoenix.

This time the game changed. Instead of chilling at their home (which by the way I'll be doing for the month of May) we drove a few hours north west to a small town called Pinetop. The drive alone was incredible. Anyone familiar with the Outback will understand how vast and empty the desert can be. Excuse me for saying, but that's Phoenix. It's a huge flat plain where nothing grows. It baffles me that so many people can live there when it seems nothing bigger than a prairie dog should be able to survive. Don't get me wrong, I do love Phoenix, the mountains are so rugged. It wasn't until we drove beyond the city limits however, that I saw just how beautiful the desert can be. That said, this idiot didn't bother to photograph anything so I can't share it with you. Just take my word, it's breathtaking.

But now onto business, THE SNOW! Oh my goodness, it was perfect. As an Australian skier I don't have a great standard of snow to base my comparison on, but oh my word, it was nice. Long wide runs, no one around, no wind, and sun shining all day. Did I mention fresh powder?! I've been skiing most of my life, it's an annual family vacation I truly relish and yet up until now I have never experienced powder. I had to reteach myself how to ski. I'm not complaining, it was lovely, just highly unusual when all you're used to are slopes of ice.

I also have a new found appreciation of the suffering of my father as he waited for his children to learn to ski. This trip we took my nephews; Thurston (5) and Atticus (4). Considering their age, they are good little skiers, that said it was painfully frustrating that they would continually snow-plow, even on the traverses (flat parts for non skiers), add to that their skies are so short and slow, and don't forget I'm one impatient I've-never-had-kids-so-I'm-so-not-patient. It was fun. I know they will be better than I could ever hope to be. My beanie goes off to all the parents, grandparents, and ski instructors who teach new skier/snowboarders.

All in all, this was a really fun weekend, despite sitting next to this guy screaming the whole road trip... But making up for that; I got to rap with my brother to the songs we used to cruise around with in my childhood... Warren G anyone?

I want to get away, I want to fly away

The last plane out of Sydney's almost gone...

Well it came, my waiting has paid off, and now I have three months to enjoy the sights and sounds of the indomitable United States of America. Unfortunately for us Aussies, this opportunity comes with a certain unavoidable trial. TRANSIT. With the US being a whopping 15,000 Kilometres away it's no wonder that my parents opted for a less direct path; a 24 hour layover in Honolulu, and I was not complaining.

We boarded our flight from Sydney at 9pm Tuesday 4th March. This is an awesome time to travel.  Not only did it mean we had all day to finalise packing, we also were ready to sleep as the plane took off. I was lucky enough to score a window seat which I promptly used to build my own little sleeping fort. My dad thinks I'm crazy; I always bring my own travel blanket and pillow. I know they provide these on long flights, but I'm sure you'll all agree the more pillows and blankets, the better your fort will be.

If you're not already aware, I'm quite the drug pusher, and on long flights, you have to be. My poor mum was wired the whole flight and barely slept, me on the other hand, with the aid of my handy dandy benodril, slept soundly nearly the whole way.

Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

Hawaii. I've only ever been here for extended layovers but I will say this much. I can see why Adam Sandler films so many movies here. It is paradise. Of course there are other perks beside the lush greenery, sweeping ocean views, and the warm winters of the tropics. Being that this is a State, all the novelties of America can be found here, my favourite being a little indulgence of mine... American shopping! Old Navy and Ross being our drugs of choice. Needless to say Hawaii treated us well.

Another pleasant surprise was the overwhelming numbers of Japanese tourists. I know, I know, Sydney has Asian tourists too, but let me explain. I had the incredible pleasure of living in Japan a few years back. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was coming home. Japan will always own a part of my heart. About the same time we landed in Honolulu, two Japanese flights also arrived so all the customs lines were filled with cute little Nihonjin. I was jazzed to be able to eavesdrop and hear a language I so desperately miss. I was even lucky enough to speak with the lady in front of me, mind you my Japanese was terrible, but it was fun all the same. It was also fun showing off to my parents how talented their daughter is, and reminding them that my time spent abroad wasn't a waste.

Give me a ticket for an aeroplane, ain't got time to take a fast train.

By this time, I was itching to reach Phoenix and see my Brother's family. It sucks that they live so far away, but it's nice to know that when ever we do get together, no time is wasted, it's like we've never been apart. This isn't always the case with my nephews (they're sometimes too young to remember that they love you right away) but nevertheless, I was over travelling just the same.

Moral of the story; I'm a long way from home.