Dubbo is a global city

For such a small Australian city, it’s people are everywhere.

Almost everywhere I go in the world, I am often asked where I come from. Although I have lived in Sydney for more than half my life, I sometimes use my home town as the ‘where are you from’ answer. ‘I’m from Dubbo, Australia’ and you’d be surprised how many people actually know of Dubbo or know someone from Dubbo or are from Dubbo themselves.  It’s an ice breaker for conversation, I swear.

The latest story comes from the train ride from Aguas Calientes to Cusco after finishing my Inca Trail hike and spending the day at Machu Picchu.

I was seated in my seat by the window with a local tour guide opposite me. The other two seats in this four seater table set-up were free as was the four seater table opposite me.

You can pick us Aussie anywhere

Then I hear some voices entering the carriage and I know exactly where they are from. They are full blown Aussies with the broadest accents I had heard in a while. Us Aussies are so easy to pick in a crowd.

They stop right near my table. One couple sit on the seats at my table, and the other 2 couples sit on the table opposite. All chatting, laughing and I see the Australian passports in hand. I say hello to the lady making herself comfortable next to me and we start a conversation. 

They are all travelling together in South America and they’re going to the same places as me but adding on a 7 night cruise to Antarctica when they finish. They have done many trips together over the years and this was another one to tick off their list. I realised as my travels went on that many people go to Antarctica during their trips to South America.

You wouldn’t believe it

When I started prodding further it turns out the couple next to me were from Newcastle. Then it turns out the other 2 couples across the aisle were both from Dubbo! 4 of the 6 from Dubbsville. Both of them know my family and one of them – the Klassens – knows my sister and brother in law quite well apparently. 

Like I said, someone either knows someone from Dubbo, or is from there themselves. Turns out both were true in this case. 

Go Dubbo! Us Dubbo-ites get around I tells ya.

Travel is the best.