Birds of a feather flock together

Strange post, I know.

I am doing a lot of reading about life in Australia - If I manage to catch an Article anywhere, literally anywhere written by an Indian  I wobble it up. That is not to say that I am going to another country to stay only within my own community or anything of the sort.
I do so because, true to any family, true to any culture, true to any community we all have our own nuances - trysts that make us uniquely us.

My research in the area is largely to have a glimpse into those lives who have already tried and won.
Their shocks, fears , victories and triumphs. Sadly, this information is few and far between. Probably cause social media only celebrates victories publicly.

Hopefully, I will try  be a tad better. Until then- Ta ta!

The Beautiful Land Down Under - Validation trip !

It was a fabulous trip.
Our long planned and awaited holiday finally came to pass.
We arrived at Brisbane International Airport on 17th July 2013.
Tired yet excited we patiently waited our turn at the Immigration counters, friendly not overly though officers just stamped and confirmed our Permanent Residences in the Land Down Under.

Got a Taxi easily and headed to the CBD where we had pre-booked a serviced apartment. Shortly, after checking in and settling down we began to familiarise ourselves with the area.

We loved it and can't wait to return . Till then I'll let the pics speak for themselves.

Visa Label free or VEVO

Ok so, we did not get our Visa Labels on our passports.

By the time, I got around to doing it, the Consulate in Dubai started charging us for the facility - so I ditched it. For my own peace of mind, I researched on how safe it was.

Here is  what i got from DIAC. : About your visa

Basically all it says is that ,

" Australian authorities do not require a visa label in your passport to travel to, or enter or remain in Australia.

All Australia bound international commercial airlines and cruise ships are required to verify with Australian authorities that you have an Australian visa before you travel to Australia. Information on your visa status and entitlements is available on the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system." 

They however, do mention that should we be transiting through countries, we need to check with   the respective governments on their say on the matter. 
They however, do mention that should we be transiting through countries, we need to check with   the respective governments on their say on the matter.
 
In our case, all ports of exit form Kuwait would require me to be in Dubai or India and/ or Singapore before I get to Australia. 

Kuwait - of course, am a resident - no issues. 
Dubai - am a professional resident in a GCC country (Kuwait) so again - Visa on arrival and so no issues. 
India - well, I am a citizen. 
Singapore - as an Australian PR and Indian National - i get Visa on Arrival so no issues. 
Looks like I am good to go :)

So what is VEVO? 

Click here

I got all my details here - and sure hope you do too :)

Whatever for?

With time on our hands till we actually make the final move - invariably also comes a lot of questions and doubts.

Is this the right thing?
What 's gonna happen? What if things don't work out.
Am I even  prepared for this?

And the list goes on .

This post is put together more for my self satisfaction than anything else.


So we decided to break the news of our Migration to extended family members - Here are some of the reactions:

REACTION 1: 

What? Don't you know Australians are racist? Have you even been watching the news? 

My Answer:

Yes, I have been. But mind you, we have been living (and quite happily at that for Donkey's years in a not so multi-culturally tolerant society. We have lived haven't we? We do call this place home (however temporary)- Don't we?


REACTION 2: 

What are you going to do? Its hard to get jobs. You'll are well settled here.

My Answer:

Well, when we came here - no promises of an easy life or jobs were made. We tried, it clicked. Infact, we have no choice but to try. There is absolutely no way, we can ever get anything without even trying.
I am inclined to believe that I WILL SUCCEED. name one person who has tried and lost (except in matters of the heart perhaps)


REACTION 3: 

You know there are many of our people there. I don't think they are happy. But what can they do - they have to "show" us that they are happy and carry on. 

My Answer:
Really now? Well, that's news. I think not. No one is dumb enough to swallow happiness only to let others think that they are happy.



SO WHY ARE YOU GOING, REALLY? 


Well, there is no simple clear answer to this. There are lots of little reasons that somehow adds up to a whole.

1) We are happy here and now. BUT this is not home.
2) I want to be in a place where I can grow old WITH my children around me. Thats not likely to happen if I decide to spend my retirement years in India.
3) Why give my youth and best to a country or place that does not want me in the end?
4) I want to be in a fairly modern, progressive and yet sufficiently traditional community/ country.
5) With all the moral policing, religious intolerance going on in my Home country - I don't really want to end up there. Nor do i want my kids to be exposed to it either.
6) I want to be able to go to Church without fear if hooligans coming in shouting slogans and attacking women, children or anyone.

There are probably many more reasons that do not come to my mind immediately and probably should not be written down either!!!



So for now- I am affecting my change. I am making the change I want.

All the best!

To Brisbane we will go!!

We've finally done it!!

We've made a decision on where to go - and for the time being we're sticking to it. We will be validating our PRs in Brisbane. 

Tickets booked and in hand!

All that is left is to travel....in about 4 months!

Peak winter there - but there is a reason to that madness ; we hate winters and we wanted to know just how bad Brisbane actually gets in peak winter!!

From the sound of it - its not bad at all....and we will come out laughing (fingers crossed!) 

In the meantime - I have planned out my itinerary and researching some more. 

Will chronicle my trip when we get back:) 

Ciao!