September 1

Day 4
Saskia's going to Sydney:
Why?...Was up late, checking emials from friends overseas, searching the net, got an email from a travel company with a special Sydney deal. The thought of seeing some of the fashion, art, cafes that were in the mags from Borders the other day, and hell, why not? So, a trip is booked to Sydney.

1st Impro, Kitchen, alone, morning after booking made:
Starting in the mirror which became the mirror of the bathroom, Saskia looks and tries not to judge. Tries not to look to deep into the eyes either in case she finds something there she's not really up to seeing. She puts her hand against the mirror, looks at the reflection of that, plays with it a little. It's like the image she took in front of the boat earlier that day.
I hooked on to the Spanish women I know and have met (and reflected in other Euro cultures as well) that they are not so aesthetically challenged, and that is something she has taken on. If she wants to look good, then she will. if she wants to look different then she will do something about it and not look in the mirror wondering when or how. Mostly, ya know. We all have our moments.
Getting into the kitchen and feeling dancy... light... going away light. She's used to going away, it's comfortable state of being.
Cool, coffee, thinking about mags back in the bedroom, going back there and checking what\s where + what she is going to see in Sydney. Where the best place to stay is. Check out Paddington markets, some glass exhibition, more swanning.
In the middle of this, sees the note Sally has left on the table, 'Hi sas, your mum rang. Can you give her a buzz? See you later tonight, can you grab some milk. xxx'. She groans. Why groans? Thinking if she really wants to talk to me she can call my mobile. I immediately thought that she must have called the land line for Sally to have left a message.
Writing on the piece of paper there just didn't feel quite right. Going back to bed with coffee and mag felt like more the thing Saskia would do. Would of walked outside if I could, just to check the type of day and plan where to go to, if felt like something.
Back in my room, being the chair in the middle of the floor, thought that mum would get my call later in the afternoon.

After this impro, I wanted to know more information about mum. Holly did a question and answer session with me. The answers to the questions just came, not much pre-meditated thought, just ask and answer.

Mum, Beth, 56. Dad would be 60. Brother Jordon is 30 with 2 kids.
Mum not really religious
She had a job in Aus, but not a career.
No 'real' job now, living of a private pension of some sort. Lives in the same town as Jordon.
Not a doting mum, sometimes affectionate.
She'd vote labour because they believe in education.
High school diploma, and then university later in life. Started when the kids were young.
Was encouraged by the dad, supportive of her doing Open Learning style education while they were travelling.
Their relationship was good. It didn't seem romantic, but mum was quiet and aloof by nature anyway. If we were playing, she'd look over a bit, but she'd read or stare out the window or look at the flowers or garden. Didn't seem to care if we yelled or banged things about.
Beth is practical, but dreamy. a little vague and seemed detached. But would sometimes come over and play... really play with us... but just for a while.
Mum liked music, classical symphony but not opera, maybe a little jazz.
She cooked. She was a great sweets cook and pretty ok main meal cook.
Sas & mum got along. There were so many distractions all the time though... travel, new homes, organising dad, him organising us, that because of our natures, we got along. We're both kinda non-confrontational...avoid-ers, and independent in each our own strange ways.
Jordon was the favourite.
Mum may have a Private consulting business... like nutrition or planning long term holidays for families.
She's filling her days with books, more gardening, gardening shows, baby sitting, fairs & meeting with the ladies for a coffee and biscuit.
They would all catch up at Christmas for sure, but it is a bit of an absent relationship. Not that personal. Holly comments that its a myth that most family relationships are personal.
Mums vagueness annoys Saskia. Saskia is not at all vague.

re Sydney plans:
She looks at what she wants to see in Sydney. Looks where they are, books some YHA accommodation, dorm, small dorm, ladies only, book the whole time in one place.
She'd pack the night before if it was an early flight, and the same day if it wasn't. Well travelled, efficient packer.
She couldn't be bothered dragging a computer around, so she doesn't hire that. Has been considering a phone with a net connection, happy to use net cafe. Maybe kinda likes the net-cafe thing, feels like travel, and net cafes were what she grew up with overseas.

question from Jane that stuck with me: What happens when her interactions have a deeper meaning?