During my two years Down Under, I eventually made it to the real outback, fed kangaroos by hand and even held a koala at an animal sanctuary. However, nothing ever embodied the Australia of my imagination more than that one-hour walk through the gum trees, driving a handful of wandering Herefords home.

In Spain it was the vendors. In Australia it was the drive from Brisbane Airport up to the Sunshine Coast. I’ll never forget that first feeling, or waking the following morning in Australia. I’ve got the moments from Japan, Prague and England as well, but Spain and Australia are at the forefront of my mind.

It’s also funny how what you imagine of a place at times bears little resemblance on the place you visit. When I first landed in Japan and we took the train from Kansai to Nankai Namba I remember being awed at these huge apartment buildings and panicking at whether my apartment would have an elevator. I came to know and love Osaka, but I was always finding little treasures. Hidden shrines, small gardens. Not the Osaka of photographs and imagination. It comes back to authenticity, which Dawn Drew (see below) touched on. What is Authentic Japan?

The same can be said for memories having a bit of rose-tinted glasses. I think it’s a natural tendency to remember the good, and gloss over the not so good. I don’t think it’s bad though, I think it’s a sign that for the most part, the experience was a good one.

Last night I had the opportunity to hear Dawn Drew of National Geographic Traveler speak at the Grossinger Lecture. It was an interesting presentation on geotourism, but it didn’t wow me. She had quite a few of Steve McCurry‘s photos, which were phenomenal. Good material for a discussion on geotourism, but there wasn’t anything new that she told us. She touched on authenticity, I think it’s this season’s buzz word. Someone in the audience raised a good question on whose sense of authenticity does a destination’s ‘authenticity’ rely on. I think whoever answers that question will be in high demand for speeches. Still it was a fun evening and a bunch of us went to Bond 45 until far too late following the presentation. It was a good evening.

And now, back to reality. Three and a half presentations in the next few weeks. Gettysburg should be the most worrisome but right now I’m focusing on the Applied Research presentation since it’s on Wednesday. I shouldn’t be nervous since I’ve lived my research and know the aspects of it inside and out at least as far as current research is concerned and am interested in the topic but I’m still worried. Tuesday will be fun. Glamping, flashpacking and jetrosexuals. Nah, no interest in those either. This has been a fun semester, but I’m ready for a break.

On admin matters:

• gave up on having carianne.org have contact. The main page redirects here. I’m actually considering letting the domain go. Kind of sad… I’ve had that domain for a long time.
• Speaking of long times, Technorati’s ping has been broken forever. I thought it was just me until I went looking for help in the forums. Why I care, I have no idea.
• Thanks thelostglobe for the link!

He misses the worlds best attractions because there are to many tourists there and the location has lost it’s authenticity.

and I agree with that sentiment.  The anti-tourist is so busy ‘traveling’ that s/he doesn’t see the world that unfolds around them. I think there’s something to be said for avoiding tourist traps which can be disappointing, but you can see a touristed destination while still avoiding the tourist traps.

Some cities I could have skipped but would have missed wonderful moments:

• Sydney – sure some parts of the city are far too crowded and feel like any other city on the planet but there’s something special about walking out to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair and experiencing sunset with no one else around. Is that Authentic Sydney? Who knows? Who defined authentic?
• Madrid – one of my favourite cities. Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Espana…all ‘too many tourists’ but I love them anyway. My favourite spot? The view/s overlooking the city from Metro Buenos Aires.

I haven’t found my Miracle Man yet, but I’ve found other incarnations. The couple in Kawaguchiko who gave Rebecca and I a lift back to our hotel. The locals in Karratha and Port Hedland eager to talk with an American… They’re there, you just have to keep your eyes open!