The Belly Button Window Details



About Belly Button Window

The Semi-Regular Newsletter


Readership

Australia, March 27, 2000

I Knew I Could

The left coast is just as cool as the right

All 100 tons of Roadtrain made the lake a puddle
Roadtrains like puddles
Skipping sobriety on a Tuesday
The beat never stops, worldwide!
My Perth, Day and Night
Yes, ladies & gentlemen, I made it to Perth.

I never really doubted I could, unlike so many Aussies and emails told me along the way. I knew that Australia, like the USA, is basically a friendly country and that cars, suburban homes, television, media hype, and a few thousand other reasons have separated and alienated us from each other.

In the ten days it took me to travel 4,000 km, five major cities, three minor cities, two mountain ranges and one desert, I encountered a wide range of people who all had wonderfully common threads.

None admitted they would normally pick up hitchhikers, yet they all picked up me. None were "hell rides" or even disagreeable, and guys like Graham, the Aussie Rules football fan, were a pleasure to share a 2,000 km cross-desert drive with.

All treated me as a new friend, and showed the greatest humor in entertaining my many Aussie questions. Also, all were enthralled with my stories to the point that, surprisingly, I don't want to tell another Surya-Story (tm).

I know you do not believe that I could possibly be tired of talking, but after thirteen rides, all expecting entertainment for transport, I'm worn out. Luckily, my ride today, from Coolgardie to Perth, was a couple more intent on arguing with each other than listening to me. I left them to bicker as I finished one of the many classic novels I was supposed to read in school, but only now find the time and desire to explore.

Today I am in Perth, and I am happy that I will spend the next few days here, enjoying the Indian Ocean at the local nude beach and the nightlife at the local bars and discos.

Thursday, I return to Sydney, by the fast, efficient, and impersonally airplane, without a shred of guilt. Some days, alienation is good.

Australia, March 20, 2000

Doing the Hitch-Dance

I even shake my bootie to get a ride in Oz Shaking that ass Half-way there! A lonely road From all the emails I've received, I know your wondering how I'm doing with the hitchhiking. Well, so far I've made great time across this country. I'm in Adelaide now, about...

Continue reading "Doing the Hitch-Dance"

Australia, March 13, 2000

Going My Way?

The next time you see one, STOP! The view outside No, I got in the car. The famous statue When was the last time you picked up a hitchhiker? As Americans, we are taught that only fools and freaks pick up random people standing by the side of the road....

Continue reading "Going My Way?"

Australia, March 10, 2000

Say 'Ahhh' for Jonathan

You want pearly whites? See this man. John drives on the left Yes, he even eats Vegemite! Once I figured out who he was (at first, I though he was the Devil who I'd partied with the week before), Jonathan turned out to be the coolest dentist I've ever met....

Continue reading "Say 'Ahhh' for Jonathan"

Australia, March 6, 2000

Hey, I'm cute too!

Yeah baby, I got the kiss & he didn't Happy to be in the Navy The rosebud opens In his own parade The post-parade clean up crew Christmas 98, Sean and I went shopping in Vero Beach for decent disco shirts to impress the ladies of our respective cities of...

Continue reading "Hey, I'm cute too!"

Australia, February 28, 2000

Closed at 18:00!!

Better get your shopping done early in Oz In before 18:30! Stephanie loves lettuce! Now, which one do I live in? The other day, around 18:00, I went for a run. I figured I could pick up photograph's I'd put in to be developed the day before, on my way...

Continue reading "Closed at 18:00!!"

Australia, February 21, 2000

At Least I Am Still Older...

Its tough being the cooler, older cousin Sean preparing for his big day Off to his first day at work Success: he survived Monday I wanted to teach him this too Did you ever have a cooler, older cousin? One that led you through the defining moments of childhood? One...

Continue reading "At Least I Am Still Older..."