Lewes

Lewes is the village of my dreams. every time I walk to the bus or TESCO I just can’t believe I’m not dreaming. we’re ten minutes from the university, but it feels as if I’m living in a favourite novel. my housemates are lovely - from all over the world - and I couldn’t be luckier with where I’ve been placed.

we’ve had trips to the local pub, meeting the nicest British folk. our uni is massive, and the campus is beautiful. I’m happy here. I was even lucky enough to have my parents and Maylis visit for a few days. making friends at the sharehouse is easy, and I’m already feeling more optimistic about the next three months.

I am lucky to be here. I am nervous for the coming weeks, and I do miss home and everyone lots. I’ve had a few nights where I’ve really felt homesick, but that’s ok.I keep reading and drawing and writing. I keep going and smiling << x

the Louvre

words can’t really describe how I felt in the Louvre. my expectations were exceeded and I want to live in this building. every room is full of beauty and history and I wish I spent weeks in there.

among my highlights were the French national painting (of Lady Liberty leading the people to victory), the Venus de Marlo, Napoleon’s beautiful dining rooms, and the beautiful Greek and Roman statues. however I was most taken by the statue of the winged victory, saying back to earlier than 700 BC, possibly one of the most beatific pieces I’ve laid eyes on.

I loved my time here, and hope to return many times. one day I hope to bring someone I love here and explore the wonders with them. right now I write from my room in London. I’ve met up with my parents and today move into my university accomodation. I’m extremely nervous and trying to be brave. I can’t forget how lucky I am to be here doing this.

so grateful for my time in Paris with Maylis. now we press on, for study and new friends. hoping for the best, and smiling as I go << x

Kasey

reuniting with Kasey in Paris was a priceless treat for me. we spent our day together wandering around the city with her best friend Lucy, eating sandwiches and laughing for hours in front of the Eiffel Tower, and finally visiting the Louvre at night.

Kasey has been an important friend for a while now, but life gets busy so we struggle to find the time to see each other. this made our day even more special. she has just spent months on kids camps in America, and is now enjoying the rest of her gap year.

I’m lucky to be finding new friends and seeing so many old ones along the way << x

exploring the city

it keeps going. so much to see and appreciate. Louis and Maylis have spoiled me with food and company, and I’m feeling very grateful for my precious time here.

I’ve now visited three galleries in Paris, beginning with Pompidou (the modern art museum) on Sunday. this one reminded me of a museum we have back home, though far much nicer and full of Picasso. Maylis and I spent a very happy afternoon here, before enjoying a delicious galette in front of a group of buskers. in the evening we sat on the steps of Sacré-Cœur and watched the moon rise - it was beautiful.
yesterday I visited Musée de l’Orangerie, in which Monet’s beautiful waterlilies are kept. I spent ages wandering and admiring the huge pieces, and even sat and sketched for a while. it was like walking through a peaceful dream.
today I visited Musée d’Orsay, which was undoubtedly one of the most incredible things I’ve seen so far on my journey. countless treasures, from beloved pieces by Cezanne, Monet and Van Gogh to the most wonderful renaissance sculptures, filled the huge gallery. I spent hours appreciating the magic of the art and history.
this afternoon I visited the site of the Charlie Hebdo attack of 2015, where a small memorial remains on the wall. I am passionate about writing, freedom, and the universal access of human rights and justice to all. this place moved me today, once attacked by extremists, now a peaceful reminder of the vitality of liberty and refraining from violence.
a friend from Tasmania has arrived in Paris, and tomorrow we spend the day together. I am so very lucky. getting nervous to move into my university on the weekend, but excited and grateful all the same << x

Paris

a beautiful city with with wonderful company. I am so lucky to be exploring Paris with Maylis, my French sister, who I have missed dearly. we have spent the past couple of days wandering the streets and enjoying the beautiful buildings and clouds.

on my first night we ate dinner in the piazza of the Louvre, which has made me so excited to visit this Wednesday. we’re planning on visiting the museum at night, which will no doubt be surreal.

we visited Notre Dame to see that already the church is being restored. we’ve enjoyed crepes and sunshine, and today willvisit the Pompidou gallery of modern art. I miss everyone at home dearly, and am growing nervous for my moving to Brighton next week. though each day I remind myself of how lucky I am to be here << x

leaving Geneva

I’ve thought for years about Geneva and the idea of potentially working at the United Nations one day. my stay here has been as fulfilling as it has been tiring for my patience. never did I consider that the right to freedom of speech would be abused within events at the Human Rights Council by corrupt governments to defend themselves and deny abuses of rights under their regimes, from forced disappearances to sex trafficking, genocide and other ungodly acts.

attending a workshop on human rights violations in the Philippines yesterday was eye opening for me. to hear the testimonies of activists, victims and religious leaders moved me deeply, but to have such testimonies refuted by a smiling Jong-Un wannabe from the national government in the audience during question time was shocking. this shock only further impressed upon me the dire need for action and systematic change. my blood was boiling and, following another workshop on the human trafficking situation with both the pacific region and across the commonwealth, I knew I wouldn’t be saying goodbye to Palais des Nations for good that afternoon.

the people have been kind. Neville’s generosity. Adrienne’s go-getter, bright and chirpy attitude. Patrick and Brad’s humor and genuine interest in people. Ciara’s impeccable taste in high culture and willingness to educate me on British slang to ensure I’m fully prepped for my time in Brighton. my time in Marist House has been a treasure I won’t forget.

last night we were invited to the house of Marie, a lovely French lady with a super cool husband and two children: 8 year old Enes and 3 year old Gabriel, some of the sweetest eggs in the world. feeling antisocial, I spent most of the evening using my limited French to make the kids laugh at me, and playing with them on the slide and grass and swings. I’ve invited this beautiful family to visit me in Tasmania one day - they lived in Melbourne many years ago, and Enes already loves the idea of going for a drive to the beach and up the mountain.

waiting to board my first of four trains for the day. in under 12 hours I’ll be reunited with Maylis, my French sister. she will remind me of home even though she is as far away as I could get from Tiggy and Casa de Prichard. I miss everyone. Carol and Tony (my beautiful grandparents); thank you for reading along, I feel lucky to be sharing this journey with you. A postcard is on its way.

we move to France. Geneva: thanks for your time << x

Geneva: 42nd session of the Human Rights Council

a dream came true today by visiting the United Nations. magically, my visit has coincided with the meeting of the Human Rights Council. I’ve spent years studying and dreaming of attending these sessions and walking through the United Nations, and to finally be here seeing where it all happens is surreal.

being in the birthplace of human rights and witnessing their evolution and dissection on the global stage fills me with a sense of purpose and hope. I’m fortunate to be staying with a lovely group of Marist and Eddie Rice interns from Australia and the UK, under the care of Neville, a true blue Marist brother who has shown me incredible kindness in just 24 hours, and makes me laugh too much.

the urgency in the meeting room today would be impossible to miss. these people are aware of the need for change, and change is demanded of member states. logistically, enduring change occurs proves extremely difficult. but as the high commissioner stressed today, rights violations can be avoided by thoughtful and meaningful action.

my head is buzzing and I’m tired, so I’ll sleep now. content and grateful << x

Fynn

I’m writing as I leave Freiburg after four wonderful days spent with Fynn and his beautiful flat mates. the time I was lucky to have here was precious, and the conversations and laughter we shared will not be forgotten easily.

Fynn showed me around the city. it is mainly a student town, with a university at its centre and many wonderful places to eat lunch, dinner, and drink beer. one of my favourite spots we found was a circle on a street corner where music played, and dozens of people at any hour can be found dancing there. I found this idea really wonderful, and I think I could live in Freiburg quite happily.

we visited beet gardens and climbed towers and sang songs and danced. Leo, Eva, Yarna, Andy and Hannah (roommates and friends) were all so lovely to me, and saying goodbye this morning was sad. I’ve felt so peaceful here and they treated me as if I were a sibling. being with Fynn, it feels as if no time had passed since we last spent time together. our jokes have stood the tests of time and distance, and I count myself truly lucky to share a friendship with such a genuine spirit.

I am on my way to Geneva. there I am lucky enough to be spending some time at the United Nations with some interns from Australia. I count my blessings each day, though right now I am sad to say goodbye to my Freiburg family, and my German brother. I hope you’re well and have a wonderful week, I promise to be more connected from now << x

Bruges

I’ve spent two nights in Bruges, one of the sweetest little towns I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. this Belgian city is paved with cobblestones and full of medieval houses, castles, churches and canals. my time here was spent wandering the streets at night and day, enjoying Belgian waffles and telling myself one day I must return.

a private collection of works by Salvador Dali was on display in a local gallery. I really enjoyed seeing some of his original art in person, and felt it was a real privilege to spend an hour or so in the mind of an eccentric genius.

the people were lovely, as were the swans in the water at night. the chocolate tasted wonderful. I met some lovely characters at the hostel: an emerging actress from Sydney, a hairdresser from Argentina, and a bike rider from northern Italy. I count the conversations and smiles I share as blessings to bring with me on my journey.

I am currently en route to Freiburg to visit Fynn, a dear friend whom I have not seen in over two years. I am beyond excited to spend some precious time with him. I’m a truly lucky boy << x

the goldfinch

on my way out of the Netherlands, there was a painting I promised myself I would visit at The Hague. I’m so glad I took that extra train to visit the beautiful gallery that waited for me there.

seeing ‘girl with a pearl earring’ was a special moment. such a beautiful painting which I’ve read so much about. I discovered that this painting was revolutionary for its time due to being not a portrait, but a painting of a fictional character (without use of a model).

however, the painting I had to stop and spend time with was ‘the goldfinch’, one of only a handful of remaining pieces from Rembrandt’s prodigy Fabritius. this simple piece features a finch who is trapped by a chain on its ankle, attached to the pole on which it stands. the painting inspired my favourite novel, and also inspires me as a symbol of persistence through endured hardships.

the museum was beautiful. the Netherlands were beautiful << x

Amsterdam

Amsterdam was a dream. without a doubt one of the most magical places I have seen with my own eyes. walking through the town, over the bridges and along the canals feels as you’d imagine it would in a fairytale. I fell in love with the place instantly, and as I type on my train away, I look back with my glasses still rose-tinted with gratitude for my time spent here.

a big day of museums. visiting the Van Gogh galleries was unforgettable. the entire museum was laid out chronologically, so that visitors wandered through a path that told his story. no cameras were allowed in the museum, which made seeing his masterpieces all the more special.

I also accidentally found myself at MOCO, a contemporary art museum in a cottage which held countless original works by Banksy. Banksy is the revolutionary of my generation in the art world, and it was a real honour to see his work, much of which I’ve admired for years, up close. the artist pushes boundaries and challenges us to question the consumer culture in which we live, and the things that we take for granted. a highlight of the adventure so far.

my new friend Pieke showed me around the city. I visited the bench at which Hazel and Augustus sit in ‘The Fault in Our Stars’, ticking a big dream off my teenage bucket list. we ate delicious food, and caught a movie in one of the many beautiful cinemas that seem to litter the city.

I would happily live here, and I hope to return sometime very soon. grateful doesn’t quite describe how I feel to mind myself in these magical places, and connecting with these phenomenal people << x