I spent six months working, surviving and trekking the Australian Outback. It turned me into a man.

Before we get into this:

I am making a comparison where by you try live on the same dependencies of transport, electricity, technology, food, water, shelter and community as living in a city with the difference of being dropped in very small settlements or arid landscapes.

Secondly, I am basing my comparison having lived in Dublin, Ireland for seven years, San Francisco for a year, a month in NYC, Toronto and Sydney and briefly visited Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Beijing and Shanghai.

This is by no means to the extent of living with a remote village tribe cut off from the outside world milking goats for nourishment.

You'll see what I'm talking about through the photos.

The Australian Outback

When you think of the Australia’s Outback what comes to your mind? Desert, sand, one tree every hundred kilometres. Well, you’re right.

However there are towns, settlements, road houses, swimming holes, restaurants, schools, communities and wifi hotspots.

But one major difference.

Imagine living in a country half the size of India and stick a population of only 243,000. That's a population density of 0.4 of a person for every square mile. Nobody for miles.

Nobody.

I was based in the Northern Territory of Australia and my job to to go around capturing media to showcase why it is such an amazing place to visit. What a job, thanks Northern Territory Tourism Board.

Lets first lay down some of the pros of living in a barren landscape.

No traffic, ever.

The land is so vast you have miles and miles to space to enjoy. Your mindset switches. Instead of road rage you develop a road smile. A smile and a wave when you see a rare car going in the opposite direction.

But there is a catch in comparing this to a city. To get between services, friends and amenities the distance to cover is usually huge, but you can drive pretty much as fast at you want.

You know an hour of constantly driving 81 mph will get you 81 miles down the road.

In a city there will be traffic, lights, corners, maybe delays and then you have to find parking, oh parking. The distance will be a lot smaller but the drive time will be longer.

To weigh this up. Do you want constant fast beautiful driving with not a care in the world, or defensive driving with repeated breaking?

Also.. no traffic lights.

It's green all the way with no lights. 130 kilometres per hour (81 mph) speed limits and a 200 km stretch near Alice Springs with no speed limit. Petal to the metal.

Knowing you do not have to stop is a nice feeling.

No Crowds.

The word 'queuing' and 'line' does not exist.

You are able to go about your shopping and dining needs knowing that you don't have to book ahead or get stuck waiting for people in front of you.

Try not trip over sleeping dogs.

Police are rare and it's safe.

Police are pretty much non existent. I'm sure there is crime but people are too busy with there own lives working on cattle stations and providing food.

I'm not saying it's lawless, people live by morals. Doing a good days work and enjoying their laid back lifestyle.

Community spirit is overflowing. Maybe it's the fact that everyone has something to do, something to work on that rewards purpose and fulfilment.

Bowling on the main st, completely illegal. We were such rebels.

Fires, camping and more fires

Camping breaks people down to who they truly are. It puts you out in the element bringing you back to your roots, reconnecting with nature. You get sleep looking up at the milky way galaxy and wonder what life is all about. Although high maintenance people may think differently about the whole camping thing.

Watching flames dance has become so rare in the city rat race. When was the last time you sat around a fire telling stories? It's magical. There's something about fires that takes you to a place relaxation. That warm feeling, conversation flows, stories are told and friendships are bonded. Remember to bring some marshmallows next time.

Your gateway to manhood opens the first time you start your own camp fire.

Nature soothes the soul

Your mind is too busy being in awe that it forgets every little problem it ever thought of.

We would explore for days being constantly inspired by the power of nature. It becomes the distraction. No phone screen can tear your apart from the raw beauty of canyons, cliffs and colouful sunsets. Plus there's no phone signal anyway.

As well to add, great fresh air, no sound pollution or light pollution.

I have an analogy between mountains and cities skyscrapers. When I see a tall mountain I know that I can climb to the very top right now if I wanted and nobody can stop me. When I look up at a tall sky scrapper I feel dwarfed that someone has worked so hard to build such a structure and that I'm not allowed to the top floor. Security will probably stop me trying. Uninspiring.

A little disconnect

I needed internet for my job so this one was a little tricky. Having too much internet access is bad and no internet access is equally just as bad. We settled for a medium balance of disappearing and getting back online for a few hours to bust through emails every three to four days. If anything that was more productive knowing what you have to do on a computer instead of refreshing Facebook twenty times.

Also, you begin to forget what day it is and have no clue on current world news. But none of that matters because you're so far away from the normal routine of life.

Friendships are made easy

With such few people around you make an effort when you do bump into someone. The complete opposite to an elevator experience. Two people 20ft distance apart in the outback = an instant "hello".

Me - "Hey, what are you doing out here?"

Stranger - "Hey, great isn't it, we're out here on holiday to explore"

Me -"That's cool, where are you from?"

Stranger - "We're from _______"

Me - "Oh great I've been there before, I saw the ______, stunning! and I'm from Ireland"

Stranger - "Oh wow, Ireland is on our list, we have to go there someday. What's your email? Would be great if you could give us advice or maybe meet up if you're there at the time, who knows."

Me - "Sure thing"

Throughout your journey in the outback you'll meet people from all walks of life with such interesting stories tell. People take you for who you are, your character. There's no hustle and bustle, time slows down and people are super easy going.

People are happy to see you, meet you and listen to your story.

Time in the desert will bring out the best in you.

The outback is an amazing place that will open your mind and ignite your compassion to strangers.

However..... There are a few major cons we need to discuss.

Living in the Middle of Nowhere VS A City - Part 1 - The Pros