Some of the kindest people I’ve met have been country folk (mostly in Australia, though I did meet some cool folk in rural France, US and Korea, too. Also sort of India, but that’s complicated…), which apparently goes against the “stereotype” of unwelcoming country people…

Frankly, I’m not sure I would be here, today, were it not for the help of some kindly folk in Korea, France and India…

So… I genuinely appreciate the humanity of people like that.

If you ever get the chance, talk to a (ideally not extremely mentally ill. I don’t want you, or them, getting hurt) homeless person. I assume you have the Big Issue where you are. Talk to your vendor. I think that’s a big part of how I grew up, and learned to… Not judge people. Talking to the homeless, sometimes blind, sometimes otherwise disabled, people who sold me that magazine. And hitch-hiking, which is a very interesting way to meet people (well, other men. -And perhaps a couple or two. Obviously you’re not likely to get picked up by a woman, if you’re a guy). I have travelled a fair distance, just by hitching. It’s slow, but you learn a great deal about yourself. Same with sleeping rough (unintentionally). 🤷🏻‍♂️

Also, if anyone ever comes to Australia again, get out of the cities. Get out and see the real Aus. Rural NSW is novel, and has the most variety. Rural Vic is the most accessible. Rural Tasmania is probably the most… Touristy, and “creative”. The rural NT is probably the most interesting. I do not know rural QLD or WA well enough to comment, other than that parts are clearly very beautiful. But my heart belongs to rural South Australia, particularly the Southeast and Flinders Ranges regions which I have explored the most, and know best.

If I could live anywhere in Oz, and be paid to do so, I would choose Southeast South Aus, or the Bathurst-Lithgow region of NSW. Simply god’s country.

And great people, there, too. I do miss them. I hope they’re all doin’ ok.

Some of the kindest people I’ve met have been country folk (mostly in Australia, though I did meet some cool folk in rural France, US and Korea, too. Also sort of India, but that’s complicated…), which apparently goes against the “stereotype” of unwelcoming country people…

Frankly, I’m not sure I would be here, today, were it not for the help of some kindly folk in Korea, France and India…

So… I genuinely appreciate the humanity of people like that.

If you ever get the chance, talk to a (ideally not extremely mentally ill. I don’t want you, or them, getting hurt) homeless person. I assume you have the Big Issue where you are. Talk to your vendor. I think that’s a big part of how I grew up, and learned to… Not judge people. Talking to the homeless, sometimes blind, sometimes otherwise disabled, people who sold me that magazine. And hitch-hiking, which is a very interesting way to meet people (well, other men. -And perhaps a couple or two. Obviously you’re not likely to get picked up by a woman, if you’re a guy). I have travelled a fair distance, just by hitching. It’s slow, but you learn a great deal about yourself. Same with sleeping rough (unintentionally). 🤷🏻‍♂️

Also, if anyone ever comes to Australia again, get out of the cities. Get out and see the real Aus. Rural NSW is novel, and has the most variety. Rural Vic is the most accessible. Rural Tasmania is probably the most… Touristy, and “creative”. The rural NT is probably the most interesting. I do not know rural QLD or WA well enough to comment. But my heart belongs to rural South Australia, particularly the Southeast and Flinders Ranges regions which I have explored the most, and know best.

If I could live anywhere in Oz, and be paid to do so, I would choose Southeast South Aus, or the Bathurst-Lithgow region of NSW. Simply god’s country.

And great people, there, too. I do miss them. I hope they’re all doin’ ok.

Some of the kindest people I’ve met have been country folk (mostly in Australia, though I did meet some cool folk in rural France, US and Korea, too. Also sort of India, but that’s complicated…), which apparently goes against the “stereotype” of unwelcoming country people…

Frankly, I’m not sure I would be here, today, were it not for the help of some kindly folk in Korea, France and India…

So… I genuinely appreciate the humanity of people like that.

If you ever get the chance, talk to a (ideally not extremely mentally ill. I don’t want you, or them, getting hurt) homeless person. I assume you have the Big Issue where you are. Talk to your vendor. I think that’s a big part of how I grew up, and learned to… Not judge people. Talking to the homeless, sometimes blind, sometimes otherwise disabled, people who sold me that magazine.

Also, if anyone ever comes to Australia again, get out of the cities. Get out and see the real Aus. Rural NSW is novel, and has the most variety. Rural Vic is the most accessible. Rural Tasmania is probably the most… Touristy, and “creative”. The rural NT is probably the most interesting. I do not know rural QLD or WA well enough to comment. But my heart belongs to rural South Australia, particularly the Southeast and Flinders Ranges regions which I have explored the most, and know best.

If I could live anywhere in Oz, and be paid to do so, I would choose Southeast South Aus, or the Bathurst-Lithgow region of NSW. Simply god’s country.

And great people, there, too. I do miss them. I hope they’re all doin’ ok.