European traveller finds culture shock and charm in Australia
Dafne Sartorio, a young businesswoman residing in Belgium, recently returned from a trip to Australia. She shared her thoughts online: "There were moments that made me laugh and question if I was in a different universe, and they prompted me to reconsider life in Europe."
Dafne Sartorio shared her impressions of her Australian trip with netizens. In a post published on Threads, she confessed to experiencing a true culture shock. The first thing that surprised her was the vast open spaces and few people. "We spent the entire day kayaking in the Noosa Everglades, and I swear, there wasn't a soul in sight over an area of about 69 kilometres. If we were in Europe, we'd be jostling with strangers to get a good picture," reported the woman, quoted by the "Daily Mail".
She did not hide her astonishment at the amount of coffee Australians consume. "I thought I loved coffee, but they drink an average of 14 cups weekly. I'm still recovering," remarked the surprised European. She was also taken aback by Australians' friendly approach to others, noting that everyone who served her smiled and engaged in genuine conversations. This led Dafne to conclude that she felt like she had been "living in a European customer service desert."
Sartorio admits that life in Australia seems to move at a completely different pace compared to European countries. "No one is in a hurry. People seem... calmer. Slower. Meanwhile, I walk around as though I have 17 other places to visit," she admitted.
Australia on the plus side, although not everything
The Belgian noted that although Australia is brimming with attractions that never allow for boredom, unfortunately, their cost can be off-putting. Not only is surfing or diving expensive, but even renting a house can be costly. "Australia offers some of the best experiences in the world, but your wallet will scream after the second day", said Sartorio, quoted by the "Daily Mail".
It was also surprising for the European that everything was sweet. "Bread, snacks, even butter had sugar in it. I don't know if it's a trend or a conspiracy, but I returned with a serious sugar rush," she admitted, describing her stay in Australia.
Dafne Sartorio did not hide her surprise that food establishments are bustling with life as early as 5:00 AM, while in Belgium, where she resides, cafés only open at 8:00 AM. She was also impressed by the prevailing cleanliness everywhere. In conclusion, Sartorio admitted that she is eager to return to Australia, adding that she will do so as soon as her "wallet recovers."
