On a trip to Australia, not long ago, I visited the fabled Outback and the infamous Ayer’s Rock and was truly amazed by this most marvelous and yet desolate space. Aside from being remote, I was amazed at the interesting wildlife found throughout. The nearest major population center to Ayer’s Rock is Alice Springs, famous for its historic importation of camels from the Middle East and North Africa for use in intercontinental transport of goods and people. When the use of modern technology transplanted the camel, the thousands of dromedaries and their decedents were released or escaped into the wild and today, the area surrounding Ayer’s Rock and Alice Springs is home to the world’s only surviving population of feral (formally domesticated or descended from domesticated ancestors) camels. In addition to the camels, other introduced species in the area include the cat, dog, mouse, fox, and rabbit.

However, the area in and around the Uluru – Kate Tjuta National Park is home not only to imported animals but is also home to a host of exotic and varied native species as well. Perhaps most notorious and iconic is the kangaroo. Similar to the North American white tail deer in terms of their continental distribution, the kangaroo is found throughout central Australia (as well as the whole of the continent) and also lives within close proximity to its smaller but similarly built cousins the wallaroo and the wallaby.

In addition, to the animal life, this part of Australia is known for its isolation and remoteness and, as I said, I was struck as to just how alone we really were out there. The native aboriginal peoples often spoke of the “walkabout” a solitary journey into the bush of the outback in order to find one’s self. Today, modern travelers from the west often attempt to emulate this ancient ritual in an attempt to connect with nature and to leave the rat race fully behind them. Whether you make the journey alone, like the natives once did, or whether you choose to bring along your friends or loved ones, you are sure to find an excursion into the outback rewarding and therapeutic. I know that for me, my trip to Australia – and to the Outback in particular – was a memorable time and destination and one that I long to return to.

During my senior year of college I took a semester abroad in London where I not only went to school but interned as well. My placement was with the UK’s Court Service. In the complete opposite of American efficiency, the Court Service exists a giant and useless organization. While people call the agency for legal advice they do not staff lawyers and are therefore not allowed to actually give such advice. I know, I know….it doesn’t make much sense. But enough bloviating on that subject, as despite my objections, the internship afforded me an amazing opportunity as I was given direct access to the infamous Old Bailey. The Bailey is England’s largest criminal court and is the final stop for all the country’s biggest criminal cases. During my time there I was able to see countless high profile cases, including the gruesome slaying of two young girls: a huge story by London standards during my time there.

In addition, I was able to travel the country and participate in “charter mark” award ceremonies. Basically, in yet another display of the UK’s propensity to waste tax payer’s money, we traveled the country congratulating various court districts for a job well done and put on shows featuring motivational speakers as well as hosting luncheons. While the award ceremonies themselves were, bluntly, something of a joke the opportunity to travel England and Scotland by train was pretty darn cool and allowed me enjoy the country in a way many of my fellow travel abroad students could not. I saw green hills and the picturesque British country side, small farms and villages, and even enjoyed my first taste of haggis on a train speeding toward Edinburgh. Even more cool than the things I saw were the people I met. Traveling by train brings with it a certain level of intimacy not offered in other forms of travel and I was quick to converse with those on the train and was able to make a few friends along the way – of course, the fact that the train sold wine in abundance helped this cause immensely. Finally, the last really neat thing about traveling the country was that I was put up in fancy hotels as I traveled. Considering I was only 21 at the time, working for the Court Service might just have been one of the more interesting experiences of my young life thus far.