Thankfully, this was anticipated. Still, the thing about culture shock is that you never quite know exactly in which way it will manifest, be it homesickness, or cultural differences, or (usually) both. Having been here a week now, there are a few things I've already noticed about Dallas/USA that are going to take some getting used to.

Well, I’ve finally arrived in Dallas. It was an exceptionally long trip, made all the more exceptional by delays to the flights, firstly in Melbourne where high winds shut down one of the runways, and then from Sydney to Dallas due to unfavourable winds slowing down the aircraft. It meant that in Sydney I had to pretty much run to the gate for the plane, and in Dallas it meant over 2 hours in the customs queue.

So today is the last full day in Australia before flying out to Dallas and a whole new lifestyle. I've been spending the last few days with my family, catching up and spending time together before heading off. It has been very relaxing, sitting watching the view out over the hills, playing cards (and winning) and trying the espresso at every café in the town. 

Today's my last day in Canberra for the foreseeable future. I'm not sure whether I'll miss it, the city provokes such a love-hate relationship within me that is quite common. Canberra is an unusual city, planned from the outset, and populated largely by government employees and students. It makes for a very transient population. In fact, this is the fifth time I have lived in the city in 25 years.