Adelaide

I’m the kind of person who likes to make my way on foot when I travel. No tour buses or schedules that I need to stick to, telling me when or where I have to be.

I always like to choose somewhere central to stay, so that I’ll have everything within close proximity to me. Although after several visits to Sydney and Melbourne, I have taken a big step out of my comfort zone recently and braved public transport. I say braved, because my biggest fear is getting lost in frightfully massive cities.

In addition to my insulin, blood glucose meter and glucose tabs, my iPad and pocket wifi are essentially my lifeline for navigation. As well as multiple backup power packs, USB cables and my brown Billabong satchel to stash it all. Jacket pockets are also greatly appreciated.

But essentially, the rewards have far outweighed the risk. Meeting up with my diabetes friend Bec in Parramatta earlier this year after first connecting online, finding Cannoli in the ‘Little Italy’ of NSW, or seeing sights such as Glenelg beach in a South Australia, which I’m en route to as we speak.

Having never ventured outside of Australia, I wouldn’t exactly call myself a seasoned traveller. However, travel has definitely helped to liberate me from the daily grind of living with type 1 diabetes. Stepping out of my comfort zone gives me a rush of excitement. Taking in new sights and surroundings helps to remind me that there’s so more to life beyond managing diabetes. A stunning sight has the power to give me a very brief moment away from Diabetes.

Equally, I’m grateful that diabetes blogging has opened my world to new places, people and experiences.

This week is no exception, as I find myself in Adelaide a few days ahead of the rebranded Australiasian Diabetes Congress on Wednesday. DA – that’s Diabetes Australia, and not Dumbledore’s Army – have invited me along to the Congress as one of their consumer reporters. Better known as the ‘Peoples Voice’ team, we will be attending sessions and delivering a consumer voice out of a conference attended largely by industry. I’m super grateful to them for giving me this opportunity once again.

Until then, I’m happily enjoying a few days off in Adelaide.

Stay tuned.