Byron Bay - Enter Hippyville

So, here I am in Byron Bay, and it is wonderful here! Although touristy, there is a very strange vibe to the city that I am digging! Byron bay is a "small" city of about 6,000 residents, but probably just as many tourists. It is surrounded by about 15 miles of white sand beaches and warm water! So needless to say, there is a very hippy/surfer vibe that goes along with the city. Infact, on the first day here, many amusing things happened.

First of all, as we were driving around, we found out that we showed up on the one day of the month that a local market is going on. So, like any upstanding citizens, we finagled our way into what probably was an illeagal parking spot so that we could check out the happenings. As soon as we walked into the market we witnessed some fascinating people. My favorite was a mother of about 30 years old who wore her hair in dredlocks down to her waist. She was carrying a 2 year old. (Couldn't have been older than two.) This 2 year old was in a backpack fashioned out of a peice of neon green cloth. Silky type stuff. You know, like a really large handkercheif. And here's the thing. The two year old ALSO had dredlocks down to her waist! It was incredible! In addition to that, we saw some booths that had magical healing crystals, some booths with total hippy attire, didgeridoo shops, and a kid playing with devil sticks and trying to sell lessons for $10 an hour. There also was a one man band playing a didgeridoo, a drum, a guitar and singing. He was actually pretty good!

From there Pat and I headed to the main street and attempted to park our car. Well, it turns out that the curbs here are awefully tall. So as we parked, we scraped our trailer hitch on the sidewalk. A passerby saw this and he looked at me kind of funny. Knowing that we were in a cheap hunk of junk car, I shrugged, and more or less gave him a face that said we didn't really care what damage we may have done to the car. As he was looking at me, and continuing to walk forward, he totally missed the fact that we was walking headlong into a pole. Sure enough, he walks right into the pole and just like a cartoon charachter, arms and legs more or less wrap around it. Of course I couldn't contain myself and just started cracking up! He then walked away in shame. It's too bad he didn't laugh it off like he should've!

Finally there was a french guy (or I assume he was french) who was mumbling quite loudly behind us. We turned and let him pass us. He yelled some words in french at us, who knows what he said, then turned his head and spat right in front of where we were walking! It was hilarious. I just laughed at him! I think he was trying to insult me, but whatever it was it didn't work. His loss I guess.

So, some comments on Australia. First of all, I LOVE it here! The people are so nice, and I think, in all fairness, when you talk with general people at help desks or tourist info places, they are much more friendly here than they are in New Zealand. Also it doesn't seem so small here. Well, that's obvious I guess. But all the stores don't necessarily close at 5 like in NZ. And the roads are less windy. And there are just more paths to take! Plus you meet other travelers that are much more diverse instead of meeting mostly germans like you do in NZ. So, in a sense, I've fallen in love with Australia! This place is good and I really do want to come back to spend more time here someday!

On another note, I have had a camera sent to me from the states, so I'll be back up and posting pictures in a few more days! Thanks for bearing with me everyone!

That's all I have time for now. See ya!