The Atypical Adventures of a Valley Girl Down Under: Darwin and Home!

Guess I should put Darwin and Home in the same post... as it was technically the same day (two nights sleeping on a plane). We drove up to Darwin and walked around. It was even more Florida like than Cairns. I have to admit I was a bit distracted for the morning.... the amount of mozzie bites I had I was afraid of going into shock. But we walked around the government buildings, the town and watched Glen struggle in the BIG CITY (130,000 people) with its parking structures which was amusing. Glen even got into Parliament House with his steel cap boots even though they set off the metal detector! (why even bother?) Finally we got some numbing oitment and I was brought back to the living. We walked around one of the Darwin beachs and then went to the yacht club to watch the sun set. Was a pretty iconic way to end my time in Australia. But since my flight wasn't until 1:40 am we went back to his Aunts house. Since the airport is so small (and super chill) Glen even came through security with me (which baffled me to no end... seemed like an act from a time long gone).

Then it was onto the plane with me... arriving at Sydney airport at 7am... for a 1:50pm flight to LA. My mom had set it up that after I checked in, I could go to her lounge at Air New Zealand and shower. However ,upon landing I found out I couldn't check in until three hours before my flight. I didn't even have bags to check. Not going to lie.... I sort of freaked out (esp with the bites swelling up... sorry mom). However, I ended up walking around the international terminal, buying some Tim Tams and Vegemite (though I lost my huge batch to a gate mixup). I even ran into a Pharmacy. After I explained my situation and my frustration with the Paw Paw and numbing cream, he informed me of some things that would show more results. I even requested an anti-histamine that would knock me out for the flight. Then Drama happens..... all you need to know is that I ended up getting bumped from a United Flight to an earlier Quantas flight (upgrade!). It was the best flight of my life. That pharmacist was not kidding about results... I fell asleep on the tarmack 15 min after taking the pills he gave me. Woke up at only at 8 hours left and for breakfast. LA! I was home! Cheese its, Data, a mattress pad, Netflix! To culminate the day, my mom had bought me tickets to see my ALL TIME FAVORITE band Belle and Sebastian in Concert. So after dinner with my grandparents, we headed over. I was wide awake even at 7pm (thanks pharmacist!) It was a great concert (finally got the t-shirt I've always wanted). Even though I didn't know every song they played (turns out I'm missing their first cd... and it was an oldies day) It was great! Best Coast Opened.