By brand, I’m a Montana native complete with a closet of Patagonia wear and 406 stamped t-shirts. But, I was born halfway across the world in the not so small town of Melbourne, Australia. It’s in this island country that my wanderlust roots spread from, growing and deepening as I become another year older and possibly wiser. I may be a Montanan, respectively, but Australia is home to my feet and to at least part of my heart.

Endless traveling, exploring and meeting new people helped cultivate my truth that being immersed in other cultures is vital to creating a wider world perspective and feeding an ever-present wanderlust.

Growing up in ‘big city’ Montana, the small-town world was a bit of a culture shock all the time. A landlocked state only brings in so many tourists and foreign cultures. I am always thinking and yearning for the Vic Market and a bustling city full of the most interesting people. Holding my identity tight, I continue to never sit still and never forget the cobblestone that I came from.

The Victoria Market in central Melbourne has one of the strongest footholds on my heart. Rows upon rows of cobblestone walk sided with multicultural vendors selling fruits, flowers, and trinkets with everything imaginable in between. My heart and tummy do a backflip every time I smell the sugary greatness of a steaming hot jelly donut.

Walking the streets and seeing faces aged with movement, immigration, and sanctuary has become a welcome and needed part of my life. A wider perspective on the world was gifted to me here, no need to stress about anything because all that really mattered was who had the freshest oysters and best bottle of wine for seafood night.

My eyes have been accustomed to spending hours walking the markets and snacking on the tastiest street foods.

Street artists painting the walls so beautiful today and changed completely tomorrow. Sharing the footpath with strangers that are glad to give you a smile and a wave. Diversity, this is what shaped my heart with wanderlust. The sound of the city brings sleep to my eyes and peace to my mind, the hustle and speed of a growing metropolis may have just set my heart up for failure if it ever had to leave. The strongest coffee you’ve ever tasted, dog bowls on the path, wine on the terrace after watching a footie match, and street musicians have a home in my heart. Down under shaped my body and soul; good food can change a girl.

Traveling is still, to me, nothing that words can completely capture. I fall in love with a new place every time I arrive. Melbourne's Flinders Street Station steps were the place to be. Anytime you were set to meet someone in the city this is where you met. Lovers, best friends, and people from all over the world in full embrace at the base of an architectural dream in the middle of the city. My feet long to walk the cobblestone alleys that hid the yummiest milkshake shops, or the coolest hole-in-the-wall deli’s that had mesmerizing smells wafting out of every crevice. The idea that new experiences and places are just around another corner sparks my feet and makes me want to run to a new city whenever I can.

I'm afraid this wanderlust will never go away, and for now, I am calling beautiful Montana home. Someday I'll go further. Someday our wandering will be satisfied.

*This article is comprised of bits and pieces of a personal narrative I wrote in September of 2017.