You reading this sentence could be proof that free will exists. But how much of life is free will, and how much is determinism, clouded by the illusion of free-will? Reflecting on my time this week, I am partial to the argument that all choices could be explained as the inevitable output of pre-existing conditions. And, as the classical debate of free will vs. determinism has been on my mind, I like to think that I have at least some degree of free will in the choices I make, but outcomes are sometimes determined by events and facts outside my control. For example, taking a bus to the beach to go on a run was my choice, but being on the wrong bus somehow and ending up in the heart of the city on complete accident was what ended up happening accidentally by a freak chance mishap fluke (plus I’m directionally challenged and way too confident about where I’m going). So by pure coincidence, I ended up exploring the botanical gardens and running the path along the water going to the Opera House. I also found a good study spot, a museum, sat at a fountain, a church, and met a nice older Australian couple at a cafe while I was on my run break. This whole experience felt like free will/determinism working in synchrony.
Enough yap about philosophical balderdash, although I could digress for a while. For my second week in Australia, I finally felt like I got some time to relax after a busy week with the start of classes and getting acclimated to the time change. I was able to go on the Bondi to Coogee beach walk and went to a few of the beaches here. I learned that a sunburn will fade into a tan in about two days, and I learned that Bondi brat budgie smugglers were a thing. I also, to my own personal vexation, have learned that my susceptibility to losing important things (i.e. my opal card) has followed me to Australia. I’m punishing myself by making myself pay for my own transportation until I find it. Another thing I noticed was a lot of canine friends along our coastal walk, a majority of which are off their leash. The dog parks here often have no fences (my dog would make a run for it so it is alarming to see). I am enticed by this more laid-back lifestyle of Australians and their dogs, and this attitude has made the city more inviting and relatively safer than most cities, at least as far as I’ve observed, but I don’t want to jinx it.
I also enjoyed getting to try the different food in Australia. Australia has a ton of healthy and nourishing food, unlike a lot of the greasy fast food that takes up the bulk of American chains. While Ariana has found the love of her life—Fishbowl, a chain similar to Sweetgreen in the US—I have enjoyed trying new restaurants and cooking my own food with the fresh ingredients and produce you can find in the grocery store. l also tried a really good bagel place near Coogee, called Lox in a Box, and got a really cool fish shaped lemon squeezer and some free postcards that they gave us. We also tried sushi, and got to experience a very traditional Japanese meal in which bowing for about 9-13ish seconds was customary when the waiter greeted us. Another place we went to had tacos and we got to wear huge sombreros and share margaritas for Sienna’s birthday. We also tried a breakfast place that had extremely rich fondue, and I have tried numerous coffee shops, one in particular packaging their coffee in cans instead of plastic cups.
We ended the week with Australia Day, Australia’s Independence Day from Britain, much like the US. The beaches were packed and celebration was in full swing. We took a boat out on the harbor and watched the fireworks above the Opera House. I’ve been able to meet people from Canada, Portugal, and many locals this week, as well as an Alumni from Bucknell. Being able to hear their traveling experiences and advice has been very inspiring and makes me want to find my own way in the world.