Saturday, April 26, 2008
And finally, the post you've all been waiting for:
Photos! I slaved all day over a hot laptop to bring you the photo album "Alice Springs to Darwin, Part I" (under the "photos on Picasa" link to the right). There are a lot (relatively speaking), I was quite the shutterbug, but all the commentary is there of what we did on the trip. More anecdotes available upon request. Enjoy!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Trivia answer
Remember that last trivia question, from waaaaaaay back when? Thought you might be interested to know that the answer is c) 1400 miles. Further than I thought! (Sorry Rach, no dice. But once again, I love the reasoning out. You do, however, win the prize of most trivia questions attempted! Prize to be administered the next time I see you. Let's make it happen :))
On the photos front: my computer is not playing nicely with my cousins' internet. Not sure what the deal is, or even whether it's a problem with my computer or with the internet, but I'm not sure when it will get fixed. Therefore I have no idea when I'll get the rest of the photos up, but if you're still on the edge of your seat for the first batch of Australia tour and Melbourne photos, check back in a week or two!
On the photos front: my computer is not playing nicely with my cousins' internet. Not sure what the deal is, or even whether it's a problem with my computer or with the internet, but I'm not sure when it will get fixed. Therefore I have no idea when I'll get the rest of the photos up, but if you're still on the edge of your seat for the first batch of Australia tour and Melbourne photos, check back in a week or two!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
New photos!
Photos of the second half of the Australia tour (album called "Alice Springs to Darwin, Part 2") and the New Zealand tour (album called "NZ tour - South Island") are up on Picasa (the link is to your right, under "Photos"). As soon as my camera and I are in the same place, I'll put up the ones from the first half of the Australia tour!
Friday, April 4, 2008
"Wild Ames over the water
Headin' north and home again
Bringin' the warm wind from the south
Bringin' the first taste of the spring..."
~John Denver, Wild Montana Skies
Well, that's it. My flight leaves for LA in a couple of hours so I need to scare up some lunch and get myself to the shuttle bus in a few minutes. My camera has made it safely to Sydney and is on its way to Boston, where hopefully it will greet me next weekend, so check back after then for more photos! More detailed descriptions of the tours will be inserted as comments on the photos. I will also be stealing my fellow tourists' photos from Facebook and putting them up as they come, so NZ ones might be a bit later in posting.
The NZ tour was all right. It mostly consisted of being on a bus for eight hours a day on windy mountain roads, and not doing much of anything else. I'm not sure I would have been up for much more this week, what with this cold and all, so it seems to have worked out. After Queenstown we really didn't do much that's worth writing about, though the scenery was gorgeous.
Bringin' the warm wind from the south
Bringin' the first taste of the spring..."
~John Denver, Wild Montana Skies
Well, that's it. My flight leaves for LA in a couple of hours so I need to scare up some lunch and get myself to the shuttle bus in a few minutes. My camera has made it safely to Sydney and is on its way to Boston, where hopefully it will greet me next weekend, so check back after then for more photos! More detailed descriptions of the tours will be inserted as comments on the photos. I will also be stealing my fellow tourists' photos from Facebook and putting them up as they come, so NZ ones might be a bit later in posting.
The NZ tour was all right. It mostly consisted of being on a bus for eight hours a day on windy mountain roads, and not doing much of anything else. I'm not sure I would have been up for much more this week, what with this cold and all, so it seems to have worked out. After Queenstown we really didn't do much that's worth writing about, though the scenery was gorgeous.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
I'm Alive!
Photos from hang gliding are on Picasa, click the link to the right and they're in the album called "Hang Gliding". Here's one to whet your appetite:
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tour 2, Day 2
New Zealand is AMAZING. Absolutely pristine and exquisite. It's not hard to see why they chose it as the location for shooting Lord of the Rings - it has an almost other-worldly beauty and looks untouched except for an unobtrusive 2-lane road that you're on. We've seen so many gorgeous things just from the bus, but also yesterday did an hour-long walk around Lake Matheson that was absolutely gorgeous, and this morning some of us did a 3-hour hike up to, around, and back down from a glacier. I had, as my mother likes to say, put on ALL of my clothes since most of what I have is geared more towards an Australian summer than a New Zealand autumn (winter - it is COLD here). At one point I was wearing a t-shirt, long sleeved shirt, hooded sweatshirt, fleece and windbreaker, with a baseball cap and the hood of the sweatshirt tied over it. My hands and face were still cold, but at least my calves and feet were cozy from the huge woolen socks and thick heavy hiking boots they made us wear! One of my fellow tourists was kind enough to take a photo of me inside an ice cave and has promised to send it to me, so that was nice.
The people who didn't go on the hike did the heli-hike, which was a short helicopter ride up to a little further up on the glacier, an hour of wandering about, and then a helicopter ride down. I liked the full hike, even though my feet and ankles had taken a beating by the time I got back down to the bus. It's a unique environment in which a glacier lives peacefully alongside a temperate rainforest (read: BEAUTIFUL walk up - we walked through streams from waterfalls and wooded hillsides on either side of the glacier). I was also surprised to see moving water on the glacier, through cracks. Gorgeous.
Tomorrow's main activity will be hang gliding for me (other options are bungee jumping and sky diving and horseback riding - we're in Queenstown, adrenaline capital of the world where many crazy activities were invented).
The people who didn't go on the hike did the heli-hike, which was a short helicopter ride up to a little further up on the glacier, an hour of wandering about, and then a helicopter ride down. I liked the full hike, even though my feet and ankles had taken a beating by the time I got back down to the bus. It's a unique environment in which a glacier lives peacefully alongside a temperate rainforest (read: BEAUTIFUL walk up - we walked through streams from waterfalls and wooded hillsides on either side of the glacier). I was also surprised to see moving water on the glacier, through cracks. Gorgeous.
Tomorrow's main activity will be hang gliding for me (other options are bungee jumping and sky diving and horseback riding - we're in Queenstown, adrenaline capital of the world where many crazy activities were invented).
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Christchurch, NZ
"I'm losing track of myself
All over time zone lines
And if I daylight save do I jump
Ahead or fall behind?"
~Carbon Leaf, "International Airport" (I thought of this especially when trying to figure out how to call my mom from Sydney after being in Darwin, after daylight savings started, and again trying to get my watch right in Auckland since the plane's handy screen told me something different than the pilot did about local time. But I digress.)
Christchurch reminds me very much of Krakow. I'm staying just off Cathedral Square which, not surprisingly, has a big cathedral in it, just like the town square in Krakow. I exited the hostel, passed a random film screening in the square and headed towards the beautiful sunset, and promptly got lost. I was just exploring though, so it was okay. I managed to find an ATM, dinner (take-away sushi that seemed to have mayonnaise in it? ew) and tomorrow's breakfast and then really couldn't find the square again. So I just retraced my steps. After eating the sushi and watching the film (which turned out to be The Eleventh Hour, interestingly) and a brief dip back at the hostel to drop off breakfast, I reoriented myself and found out I was irritatingly close to both the square and the hostel when I had turned back! But that made it much easier for the second, shorter wandering, so that's good. Christchurch is also very similar to Australia, same brands of many things, same expressions, etc, so it's easy to see how there are very fluid borders between the two.
Hmm, Sydney. Sydney was good. I had a smashing good time staying with my friend Adina. Too many stories to share, but most of the errands got done. Except for the camera - still MIA. When Adina gets it, she will send it on to me... so no photos of NZ for the moment. Fingers crossed for making friends on the tour, which starts tomorrow! The kids on the first tour were so nice, taking photos and being my friends on Facebook so I can snatch them off there once I'm home and share them with you.
I did get up at 4:30 to get the sketcho shuttle to the airport and, instead of sleeping on the plane like a rational human being, I watched Juno :) - so now I'm VERY sleepy and am getting up early again tomorrow, so I say it's officially bedtime! Ooh, but first, trivia! I'm going to give Adina an honorary congrats, since it shows she knows something about American history (she answered it in person :P). The answer was indeed Lewis and Clark - Burke and Wills were infamous ill-fated explorers of Australia's interior.
Ok, new trivia: About how many miles is New Zealand from Australia?
a) 300
b) 800
c) 1400
d) 2000
e) New Zealand is in Australia
All over time zone lines
And if I daylight save do I jump
Ahead or fall behind?"
~Carbon Leaf, "International Airport" (I thought of this especially when trying to figure out how to call my mom from Sydney after being in Darwin, after daylight savings started, and again trying to get my watch right in Auckland since the plane's handy screen told me something different than the pilot did about local time. But I digress.)
Christchurch reminds me very much of Krakow. I'm staying just off Cathedral Square which, not surprisingly, has a big cathedral in it, just like the town square in Krakow. I exited the hostel, passed a random film screening in the square and headed towards the beautiful sunset, and promptly got lost. I was just exploring though, so it was okay. I managed to find an ATM, dinner (take-away sushi that seemed to have mayonnaise in it? ew) and tomorrow's breakfast and then really couldn't find the square again. So I just retraced my steps. After eating the sushi and watching the film (which turned out to be The Eleventh Hour, interestingly) and a brief dip back at the hostel to drop off breakfast, I reoriented myself and found out I was irritatingly close to both the square and the hostel when I had turned back! But that made it much easier for the second, shorter wandering, so that's good. Christchurch is also very similar to Australia, same brands of many things, same expressions, etc, so it's easy to see how there are very fluid borders between the two.
Hmm, Sydney. Sydney was good. I had a smashing good time staying with my friend Adina. Too many stories to share, but most of the errands got done. Except for the camera - still MIA. When Adina gets it, she will send it on to me... so no photos of NZ for the moment. Fingers crossed for making friends on the tour, which starts tomorrow! The kids on the first tour were so nice, taking photos and being my friends on Facebook so I can snatch them off there once I'm home and share them with you.
I did get up at 4:30 to get the sketcho shuttle to the airport and, instead of sleeping on the plane like a rational human being, I watched Juno :) - so now I'm VERY sleepy and am getting up early again tomorrow, so I say it's officially bedtime! Ooh, but first, trivia! I'm going to give Adina an honorary congrats, since it shows she knows something about American history (she answered it in person :P). The answer was indeed Lewis and Clark - Burke and Wills were infamous ill-fated explorers of Australia's interior.
Ok, new trivia: About how many miles is New Zealand from Australia?
a) 300
b) 800
c) 1400
d) 2000
e) New Zealand is in Australia
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Notes from Sydney
I stepped off the plane in Sydney to a cool, dry, refreshing breeze - what a change from Darwin! Ok, let's back up. Dinner Tuesday night was indeed crocodile - it was prepared like chicken fingers and tasted a lot like chicken with a little fishy taste to it, and a little tougher, but good. I enjoyed the second half of the trip a lot, especially once the group shrank and gelled. We were one night in Katherine, where we took a river cruise through the Katherine gorges (saw a live crocodile!), and two nights in Kakadu National Park, where we took another cruise, a hike in the rain to see Aboriginal art, and generally took it easy. Some nights Nicky and I hung out with the girls, some nights we hosted poker night for the boys - it was nice to have a girl friend who would play with the boys with me! Also she is my age, where the other girls are younger and the boys are older.
Anyway, then we were in Darwin for a night, and used it as a base on Wednesday, the final day, for our day trip to Litchfield National Park, which was great. Our first stop was the termite mounds, which frankly gross me out so I'm not going to talk about them. Then we got to do the fun stuff, which was swimming and hiking in waterfalls! We took about an hour and all jumped in the pool. There was actually a really strong current so we had to aim for a rock and grip onto it carefully! But the water was cold and clear and felt great. Then we took a 1km hike around the upper part of the river that feeds the waterfall, then back to the bus. We also stopped at another waterfall but couldn't go in because the water levels were so high that crocodiles had been seen there, though we didn't see any. Then lunch, then back on the bus and to Darwin for the official end of the tour.
Luke and Michelle dropped of Jonas, Jens, Phil and me at the hotel we stayed at the night before and where Jonas, Phil and I were storing our bags until our flights out that night and Jens had booked another night. We puttered around a bit, fiddling with our hastily-packed luggage from the morning and gathering things for the afternoon/evening, then headed out to the internet cafes. I finally wandered back to the hotel around 6:30pm, where Jens let us each use his shower before our final group dinner, which was really nice. The girls begged off early and the rest of us killed time at the club until it was time to leave for the airport. Jonas, Phil and I ordered a cab (ah, small-town Darwin) and made tracks. Jonas' flight was right away but Phil and I were both flying through Brisbane about ten minutes apart, on our way to separate destinations, and we were able to keep each other awake until boarding shortly after 1am.
I arrived in Brisbane with precisely five minutes to kill (waiting in the restroom line) before my connecting flight. The good thing about these tiny airports is that it's very easy to have a connecting flight! The second gate was right after the first, and in Adelaide it was the very same gate and plane. Love it. I also got to watch the sunrise during the landing in Brisbane, which made up for being SO completely out of it after 3 hours' sleep! The flight to Sydney was more turbulent but I really couldn't manage to stay awake long enough to get worked up about most of it! I easily found my pal/hostess, the lovely Miss Adina of Miss Adina's Amateur Chauffeur Service, and we made tracks to her house where we laid out a plan for the day. We tackled some of my errands, with varying degrees of success, and took a ferry ride from Watson's Bay to Circular Quay. Now I am SO ready for bed! Fingers crossed that we'll see my camera tomorrow...! It was a lovely day of exploring and I am looking forward to being up for more tomorrow :)
Anyway, then we were in Darwin for a night, and used it as a base on Wednesday, the final day, for our day trip to Litchfield National Park, which was great. Our first stop was the termite mounds, which frankly gross me out so I'm not going to talk about them. Then we got to do the fun stuff, which was swimming and hiking in waterfalls! We took about an hour and all jumped in the pool. There was actually a really strong current so we had to aim for a rock and grip onto it carefully! But the water was cold and clear and felt great. Then we took a 1km hike around the upper part of the river that feeds the waterfall, then back to the bus. We also stopped at another waterfall but couldn't go in because the water levels were so high that crocodiles had been seen there, though we didn't see any. Then lunch, then back on the bus and to Darwin for the official end of the tour.
Luke and Michelle dropped of Jonas, Jens, Phil and me at the hotel we stayed at the night before and where Jonas, Phil and I were storing our bags until our flights out that night and Jens had booked another night. We puttered around a bit, fiddling with our hastily-packed luggage from the morning and gathering things for the afternoon/evening, then headed out to the internet cafes. I finally wandered back to the hotel around 6:30pm, where Jens let us each use his shower before our final group dinner, which was really nice. The girls begged off early and the rest of us killed time at the club until it was time to leave for the airport. Jonas, Phil and I ordered a cab (ah, small-town Darwin) and made tracks. Jonas' flight was right away but Phil and I were both flying through Brisbane about ten minutes apart, on our way to separate destinations, and we were able to keep each other awake until boarding shortly after 1am.
I arrived in Brisbane with precisely five minutes to kill (waiting in the restroom line) before my connecting flight. The good thing about these tiny airports is that it's very easy to have a connecting flight! The second gate was right after the first, and in Adelaide it was the very same gate and plane. Love it. I also got to watch the sunrise during the landing in Brisbane, which made up for being SO completely out of it after 3 hours' sleep! The flight to Sydney was more turbulent but I really couldn't manage to stay awake long enough to get worked up about most of it! I easily found my pal/hostess, the lovely Miss Adina of Miss Adina's Amateur Chauffeur Service, and we made tracks to her house where we laid out a plan for the day. We tackled some of my errands, with varying degrees of success, and took a ferry ride from Watson's Bay to Circular Quay. Now I am SO ready for bed! Fingers crossed that we'll see my camera tomorrow...! It was a lovely day of exploring and I am looking forward to being up for more tomorrow :)
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Up the Track
Yes... with 7 hours of driving per day, you would think we'd see something exciting. Anything, really. What did we see? Lots of kangaroo roadkill. Coupla birds. Termite mounds (seriously - huge and gross). Yep... that's about it. Pretty boring. I did get to ride shotgun/guest DJ a couple of times, and got to talk to Luke, which was fun. It was interesting to watch the countryside change and the trees (and termite mounds) get bigger as we moved into an area with more water.
We stopped one night in the middle of nowhere called Banka Banka for some swag camping and some of the girls made a horror film on their digital camera that they called "The Banka Banka Bloodshed" starring Luke as the Banka Banka Butcher. I also managed to leave my camera behind in one place and it will be sent along to my friend that I'm staying with in Sydney. I'm looking forward to having it back! Needless to say... photos will be delayed... :(
Ok, that's all I have time for. Tonight's dinner is likely going to be crocodile - saw some on the various river cruises we took in the past couple of days! :) One more night in Darwin and then the tour is over and I make my way to Sydney!
We stopped one night in the middle of nowhere called Banka Banka for some swag camping and some of the girls made a horror film on their digital camera that they called "The Banka Banka Bloodshed" starring Luke as the Banka Banka Butcher. I also managed to leave my camera behind in one place and it will be sent along to my friend that I'm staying with in Sydney. I'm looking forward to having it back! Needless to say... photos will be delayed... :(
Ok, that's all I have time for. Tonight's dinner is likely going to be crocodile - saw some on the various river cruises we took in the past couple of days! :) One more night in Darwin and then the tour is over and I make my way to Sydney!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Tour 1, Part 1
aka "There once was a tourist who swallowed a fly..."
The flies here are horrendous! They're not lazy like they are in the US - these buggers want water, and they want it NOW and they don't care if they get it from your sweat, your eyes, your ears, your nose, or your mouth. Most of us have pretty quick reflexes but our tour guide, Luke, definitely swallowed one while giving us a talk.
Moving on... We're back in Alice Springs for a couple of nights. The first four days of this tour are a loop between Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon and back to "the Alice", so we actually had five of our fifteen desert us yesterday. I don't have too much time, so I'll just list off the highlights and do details (and photos, and videos) later: Ayers Rock at sunrise and sunset (and learning about its Aboriginal history), a 3.5 hour "walk" (did I mention Luke is crazy?) up to and then around the rim of Kings Canyon, a sunrise hot-air balloon ride (!!!!! my favorite!), Dinky the Singing (and piano-playing) Dingo, sleeping under the stars at Kings Canyon, playing with a python and his lizard friends (I got some good photos of me and the other kids wearing the python!), and cooling off in hotel pools in the afternoon.
I'm a little surprised we haven't seen any wildlife along the side of the road, or from the balloon. Tomorrow we start our killer trek "up the track" (aka the Stuart Highway). With seven hours of driving per day, we're sure to see something, right? Luckily we have been stopping every hour or two to do whatever touristy thing we come across (there's not too much out here but I'm sure we've done it ALL) so it won't be too horrible ;) We're camping out at Banka Banka tomorrow night and then back in civilization at Katherine.
Trivia: Congrats to Deb - the BBC addiction has paid off!
New Trivia: Famous Australians Burke and Wills can be compared to which two famous Americans?
a) Washington and Jefferson
b) Simon and Garfunkel
c) Franklin and Edison
d) Lewis and Clark
e) Ren and Stimpy
The flies here are horrendous! They're not lazy like they are in the US - these buggers want water, and they want it NOW and they don't care if they get it from your sweat, your eyes, your ears, your nose, or your mouth. Most of us have pretty quick reflexes but our tour guide, Luke, definitely swallowed one while giving us a talk.
Moving on... We're back in Alice Springs for a couple of nights. The first four days of this tour are a loop between Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon and back to "the Alice", so we actually had five of our fifteen desert us yesterday. I don't have too much time, so I'll just list off the highlights and do details (and photos, and videos) later: Ayers Rock at sunrise and sunset (and learning about its Aboriginal history), a 3.5 hour "walk" (did I mention Luke is crazy?) up to and then around the rim of Kings Canyon, a sunrise hot-air balloon ride (!!!!! my favorite!), Dinky the Singing (and piano-playing) Dingo, sleeping under the stars at Kings Canyon, playing with a python and his lizard friends (I got some good photos of me and the other kids wearing the python!), and cooling off in hotel pools in the afternoon.
I'm a little surprised we haven't seen any wildlife along the side of the road, or from the balloon. Tomorrow we start our killer trek "up the track" (aka the Stuart Highway). With seven hours of driving per day, we're sure to see something, right? Luckily we have been stopping every hour or two to do whatever touristy thing we come across (there's not too much out here but I'm sure we've done it ALL) so it won't be too horrible ;) We're camping out at Banka Banka tomorrow night and then back in civilization at Katherine.
Trivia: Congrats to Deb - the BBC addiction has paid off!
New Trivia: Famous Australians Burke and Wills can be compared to which two famous Americans?
a) Washington and Jefferson
b) Simon and Garfunkel
c) Franklin and Edison
d) Lewis and Clark
e) Ren and Stimpy
Friday, March 14, 2008
Melbourne (etc) Photos Up!... later
Disclaimer - internet was not helpful so I didn't upload hardly anything. Sorry...
I am uploading as we speak! It was a bit of a fiasco as apparently cameras and the internet don't play well together (meaning it's a darn good thing I bought that USB drive, even though it's full now and I'll just have to keep deleting stuff - oh well) so it was tough finding a place to get it all done. (I know, doesn't seem like it should be a fiasco, but trust me. It was.)
Anyway, on to funner things: Trivia! Deb wins the prize (and bonus points!), the capital of Australia is Canberra, in the appropriately named Australian Capital Territory, which, like DC, was carved out of two states: New South Wales (where Sydney is) and Victoria (where Melbourne is). Apparently people think you're nuts if you go visit there, as it's quite a boring place, so that's where the similarities end.
So, I haven't come up with a new trivia question, so I'll just pull an "easy" one out of my back pocket and hope that the next time I get to the internet, I'll have learned something new! New trivia question: Who is the Prime Minister of Australia? (Bonus points if you can name the guy who preceeded him.)
Today I basically took it easy, although I did get up early to hike across town and call my mom on Skype (again, a fiasco - don't ask). It's good to have one day to decompress and not be out in the boiling heat. I have no doubt we reached our high of 40C (105F). What a way to kick off the Grand Prix! Hope everyone down there's got plenty of water and sunscreen. We can hear the pre-racing whine all the way at the hostel!
I'm off to bed early tonight for a 5am start tomorrow to get me to the airport for my 8am flight to Alice Springs and the start of my first tour the day after. Fingers crossed for NO fiascos!
I am uploading as we speak! It was a bit of a fiasco as apparently cameras and the internet don't play well together (meaning it's a darn good thing I bought that USB drive, even though it's full now and I'll just have to keep deleting stuff - oh well) so it was tough finding a place to get it all done. (I know, doesn't seem like it should be a fiasco, but trust me. It was.)
Anyway, on to funner things: Trivia! Deb wins the prize (and bonus points!), the capital of Australia is Canberra, in the appropriately named Australian Capital Territory, which, like DC, was carved out of two states: New South Wales (where Sydney is) and Victoria (where Melbourne is). Apparently people think you're nuts if you go visit there, as it's quite a boring place, so that's where the similarities end.
So, I haven't come up with a new trivia question, so I'll just pull an "easy" one out of my back pocket and hope that the next time I get to the internet, I'll have learned something new! New trivia question: Who is the Prime Minister of Australia? (Bonus points if you can name the guy who preceeded him.)
Today I basically took it easy, although I did get up early to hike across town and call my mom on Skype (again, a fiasco - don't ask). It's good to have one day to decompress and not be out in the boiling heat. I have no doubt we reached our high of 40C (105F). What a way to kick off the Grand Prix! Hope everyone down there's got plenty of water and sunscreen. We can hear the pre-racing whine all the way at the hostel!
I'm off to bed early tonight for a 5am start tomorrow to get me to the airport for my 8am flight to Alice Springs and the start of my first tour the day after. Fingers crossed for NO fiascos!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Quickie
Hey all, just a quick little post. The only downside to having free internet vouchers is finding a YHA hostel in the city to use them at! Went on a wild goose chase today so I'm resorting to my own hostel on the opposite side of the city, but hopefully will spend some quality time at the YHA tomorrow, uploading photos.
So what are these photos from, anyway? Sunday evening at this hostel in Melbourne, I met a crew of people who were heading for the Great Ocean Road by rental car the next day, and were gracious enough to give me a seat. It was a great trip and we had fun, despite a MASSIVE bout of what my family likes to call "curvy road disease". But all's well that ended well and I got some great photos of a place I had resigned myself to missing out on.
Tuesday one of those new friends and I hit the town: museums, Federation Square, and Botanical Gardens. It was a good day but I walked my feet off! Yesterday (Wednesday) I was on my own (Becca and Deb, I take it ALL back, I prefer being on my own!!! More on that later) and had a good healthy wander about town on my own. I first met up with the kids at the Melbourne office of the company I worked for in Brisbane, and we had lunch. Then I went to the Sofitel Hotel, whose 35th floor ladies' restroom has a pretty good view of the city (random, I know, but it was recommended by a coworker who used to live in Melbourne). I got a tad turned around in the gorgeous Fitzroy Gardens and finally made it back to the hostel.
Today I also headed off on my own and managed to hit St Kilda (was pretty much unimpressed but did have a lovely raspberry and mango sorbet in an attempt to escape the heat for a bit - it was in the upper 30s today - I think that's over 100F) and sadly that's all I can remember right now - internet time's about to be up! Photos soon~
So what are these photos from, anyway? Sunday evening at this hostel in Melbourne, I met a crew of people who were heading for the Great Ocean Road by rental car the next day, and were gracious enough to give me a seat. It was a great trip and we had fun, despite a MASSIVE bout of what my family likes to call "curvy road disease". But all's well that ended well and I got some great photos of a place I had resigned myself to missing out on.
Tuesday one of those new friends and I hit the town: museums, Federation Square, and Botanical Gardens. It was a good day but I walked my feet off! Yesterday (Wednesday) I was on my own (Becca and Deb, I take it ALL back, I prefer being on my own!!! More on that later) and had a good healthy wander about town on my own. I first met up with the kids at the Melbourne office of the company I worked for in Brisbane, and we had lunch. Then I went to the Sofitel Hotel, whose 35th floor ladies' restroom has a pretty good view of the city (random, I know, but it was recommended by a coworker who used to live in Melbourne). I got a tad turned around in the gorgeous Fitzroy Gardens and finally made it back to the hostel.
Today I also headed off on my own and managed to hit St Kilda (was pretty much unimpressed but did have a lovely raspberry and mango sorbet in an attempt to escape the heat for a bit - it was in the upper 30s today - I think that's over 100F) and sadly that's all I can remember right now - internet time's about to be up! Photos soon~
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Melbourne
The last day of work on Friday was very nice. They put on a special morning tea, like they have done the past two weeks for other staff members who left, and everyone signed a card. I even got relieved of reception duty for the last half hour so I could join the happy hour early! That definitely put a smile on my face. I brought my camera to work and took photos of the walk to work and of my coworkers, so those will be up... uh... eventually. (Don't hold your breath!)
Saturday, I woke up early and I was up. I just had all these things running through my head to do and couldn't make them shut up, so I just got up and got started. It was a good thing I did too, because I was running around crazy until the party at 3. I had a little get-together in the park where we played cricket and ate cookies and had a little barbecue. Photos from that will also be coming... later.
Finally it was me, Alex, Dan, and Haidee left at the park, and we headed back to the house. Matt rejoined us after his dinner commitment, and Chris dropped by too and we played poker. (I also packed - only took about an hour.) When Chris left, we headed out to one of the local bars in West End and got home late.
Dan took me to the airport in the morning. Brisbane airport is very small. There was no line for security - but that might have also had something to do with the lack of actual security there. No one looked at my boarding pass or ID. I discovered later this is because the riff raff are allowed inside to meet people at the gate! How old-fashioned.
Anyway I'm in Melbourne now, safe and sound, and given the lack of sleep for the past two days it's high time I hit the hay! More later!
Saturday, I woke up early and I was up. I just had all these things running through my head to do and couldn't make them shut up, so I just got up and got started. It was a good thing I did too, because I was running around crazy until the party at 3. I had a little get-together in the park where we played cricket and ate cookies and had a little barbecue. Photos from that will also be coming... later.
Finally it was me, Alex, Dan, and Haidee left at the park, and we headed back to the house. Matt rejoined us after his dinner commitment, and Chris dropped by too and we played poker. (I also packed - only took about an hour.) When Chris left, we headed out to one of the local bars in West End and got home late.
Dan took me to the airport in the morning. Brisbane airport is very small. There was no line for security - but that might have also had something to do with the lack of actual security there. No one looked at my boarding pass or ID. I discovered later this is because the riff raff are allowed inside to meet people at the gate! How old-fashioned.
Anyway I'm in Melbourne now, safe and sound, and given the lack of sleep for the past two days it's high time I hit the hay! More later!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
"And on, and on, and onto the next one..."
We are about to embark on my least favorite part of traveling: repeating myself. It will get really old by my fourth hostel when I'll have reduced my life story and what brought me to Australia to a thirty second or less soundbite, but it's begun at work already. People stopped by reception all day to inform me that tomorrow is my last day and to enquire whether I was excited or sad or would miss them, and where I was going afterwards. I do realize that it's very sweet of them to be interested in my plans, and actually, repeating them helps them become more concrete and real to me, but I get bored listening to myself recount it all. When they ask if I'm excited, it's usually a chore to say yes like I mean it, but at the same time it helps me refocus on the exciting part of traveling, instead of the stressful bits I get stuck on when dealing with the details.
I am excited, but I'm also nervous. Melbourne doesn't have the same tourist checklist that Sydney does, so I talked to everyone I knew who had been to or lived in Melbourne to get ideas and now I finally feel like I know how I'll fill my time there. I consulted my friend Shana from college who studied abroad there, Coworker Erin and Bookclub Meg who both used to live there, new Sydney-based friends Esben and Adina who have both visited, our Melbourne office colleagues, the New York Times, and my Lonely Planet guidebook. I'll stop by the Melbourne office sometime during that week to say hi and finally put a picture to it in my head, even though I don't know them very well. It will be nice to feel like I have some friends in the city though!
Speaking of the office crew, it was lucky one of them sent around an email about Monday's holiday, because I was going to visit them then! As I explained before, each state decides what holidays it's going to celebrate and when (see "Australian cooking measurements," September 17, 2007 in the blog archive to the right). It turns out that Monday is Labour Day in the great southern state of Victoria, so many an office and, I can only assume, museums and other activities, will be closed.
Next week is a big week for Melbourne: the holiday on Monday and then that weekend they host the Formula 1 Grand Prix. I am a little turned off by it all, as I tried to explain to several Aussies, because of the bevin (car-loving white trash) stigma attached to car racing in the US. However, as it's a big deal to Melbourne, I will take a passing interest , maybe buy a souvenir, and then get the heck outta Dodge! (Ooooh... no pun intended!) It goes Thursday to Sunday and I skip town early Saturday morning. We shall see how it goes... stay tuned!
I am excited, but I'm also nervous. Melbourne doesn't have the same tourist checklist that Sydney does, so I talked to everyone I knew who had been to or lived in Melbourne to get ideas and now I finally feel like I know how I'll fill my time there. I consulted my friend Shana from college who studied abroad there, Coworker Erin and Bookclub Meg who both used to live there, new Sydney-based friends Esben and Adina who have both visited, our Melbourne office colleagues, the New York Times, and my Lonely Planet guidebook. I'll stop by the Melbourne office sometime during that week to say hi and finally put a picture to it in my head, even though I don't know them very well. It will be nice to feel like I have some friends in the city though!
Speaking of the office crew, it was lucky one of them sent around an email about Monday's holiday, because I was going to visit them then! As I explained before, each state decides what holidays it's going to celebrate and when (see "Australian cooking measurements," September 17, 2007 in the blog archive to the right). It turns out that Monday is Labour Day in the great southern state of Victoria, so many an office and, I can only assume, museums and other activities, will be closed.
Next week is a big week for Melbourne: the holiday on Monday and then that weekend they host the Formula 1 Grand Prix. I am a little turned off by it all, as I tried to explain to several Aussies, because of the bevin (car-loving white trash) stigma attached to car racing in the US. However, as it's a big deal to Melbourne, I will take a passing interest , maybe buy a souvenir, and then get the heck outta Dodge! (Ooooh... no pun intended!) It goes Thursday to Sunday and I skip town early Saturday morning. We shall see how it goes... stay tuned!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Kangaroo Point!
Trivia answer: Unfortunately, Rachel, the answer is actually (a), but bonus points for the reasoning out! (Mmm, flecks of coal...) Manchester refers to the section of a department store (or Target, or whatever) that sells linen and towels and things. I learned this the hard way when I tried to buy a new shower curtain for the house and ended up giving the saleslady the look of blankness ;)
New trivia: What is the capital of Australia? (Bonus points if you can name which state/territory it's in!)
Sunday the book group had a barbecue. We were there for probably three hours and talked about the book for maybe 15 minutes, but it was all good fun. Meg and I walked there and then back to her house together, so she could lend me a blanket. March 1 marks the official beginning of fall here, and the weather has changed a bit. It's still hot during the day (well, as hot as it was this summer, which is to say, not so much - it was an extremely unusually cold and rainy summer, so they tell me) but really cool at night. So cool that with my windows closed and winter pajamas on, my sheet was not enough to keep me warm. So Meg lent me a heavy wool blanket and I have been sleeping like a champ!
The barbecue was at Kangaroo Point, which is one of the peninsulas formed naturally by the Brisbane River's winds and twists. I think it's almost directly across the river from the part of downtown where I work. There is also a fairly substantial cliff face (not exactly sure what from) in the park that is very popular with the rock climbers. I took a few photos down there, they're on the "Photos on Picasa" link to the right.
We've also had a couple of people interested in the room, and one came by last night. She's already friends with a few of Alex's friends (that's how she learned about the room - she just dropped in) so I have high hopes. After she finally left, I rounded up the kids and we took off for Ray's mom's restaurant where we had a full-on feast as a little going-away party for me. It was a good time. Here's a photo of us housemates (and Mark, who also happened by last night and got swept up in the group):
L-r: Mark, Mia, Alex, me, Ray, Dan.
New trivia: What is the capital of Australia? (Bonus points if you can name which state/territory it's in!)
Sunday the book group had a barbecue. We were there for probably three hours and talked about the book for maybe 15 minutes, but it was all good fun. Meg and I walked there and then back to her house together, so she could lend me a blanket. March 1 marks the official beginning of fall here, and the weather has changed a bit. It's still hot during the day (well, as hot as it was this summer, which is to say, not so much - it was an extremely unusually cold and rainy summer, so they tell me) but really cool at night. So cool that with my windows closed and winter pajamas on, my sheet was not enough to keep me warm. So Meg lent me a heavy wool blanket and I have been sleeping like a champ!
The barbecue was at Kangaroo Point, which is one of the peninsulas formed naturally by the Brisbane River's winds and twists. I think it's almost directly across the river from the part of downtown where I work. There is also a fairly substantial cliff face (not exactly sure what from) in the park that is very popular with the rock climbers. I took a few photos down there, they're on the "Photos on Picasa" link to the right.
We've also had a couple of people interested in the room, and one came by last night. She's already friends with a few of Alex's friends (that's how she learned about the room - she just dropped in) so I have high hopes. After she finally left, I rounded up the kids and we took off for Ray's mom's restaurant where we had a full-on feast as a little going-away party for me. It was a good time. Here's a photo of us housemates (and Mark, who also happened by last night and got swept up in the group):
L-r: Mark, Mia, Alex, me, Ray, Dan.Friday, February 29, 2008
Happy Leap Day!
It's sort of too bad that my last two weeks here will be filled with flatmate interviews. For some unknown reason, I need to be involved in the interviewing process, although as I pointed out to Alex, I would probably choose very different people than he would. His rationale is that ultimately the choice is Mia's, since we are looking for a girl to keep the male/female balance (otherwise she'd be fending for herself among four boys!), and if he can't make it to the interview for some reason, Mia needs someone's help in conducting the actual interview as she doesn't feel comfortable enough to do it on her own. I'm irked about the whole process on a number of levels, but it's not that big a deal, really, so I will sigh and get over it.
For some reason, the travel agent has sent me all my info separately - flight info in one email, hostel info in another, tour info in another, etc. And they're all PDFs. So I had a grand time the other night trying to consolidate all of it into one document for easy reference, because otherwise I will get to a city and realize I have no idea what hostel I'm going to or how to get there! It's great fun, really. This is, incidentally, how I realized that I don't have a hostel booked for Melbourne yet!
Yesterday was my supervisor's last day, so tonight we had an extra special happy hour (supposedly we were all going to a bar after but they were still in the office at 6:45, when I started getting hungry and made a beeline for home). One week left!
For some reason, the travel agent has sent me all my info separately - flight info in one email, hostel info in another, tour info in another, etc. And they're all PDFs. So I had a grand time the other night trying to consolidate all of it into one document for easy reference, because otherwise I will get to a city and realize I have no idea what hostel I'm going to or how to get there! It's great fun, really. This is, incidentally, how I realized that I don't have a hostel booked for Melbourne yet!
Yesterday was my supervisor's last day, so tonight we had an extra special happy hour (supposedly we were all going to a bar after but they were still in the office at 6:45, when I started getting hungry and made a beeline for home). One week left!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Visaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Trivia answer: (d) Australia is home to 17 of the 851 World Heritage Sites (see the list here). I will leave Australia having seen four of them (I think).
New trivia: To what does "Manchester" refer, to an Australian?
New trivia: To what does "Manchester" refer, to an Australian?
a) a department store section
b) an ice cream flavor
c) a town in Queensland
d) an ABC (PBS) television show
Visaaaaaaaaahh!
Visaaaaaaaaahh!
After too much stress, I finally determined that today would be the day I would head down to Immigration and try to sort out my application for a tourist visa. My program recommends that you give the government 2-3 weeks to sort themselves out and approve your visa change. I, of course, dared to be different and marched my manila envelope of papers into their office myself. There were so many variables to take into account and I just hoped that this being the wonderfully laid-back Australia I've come to know and admire, that there would be no snags and all would fall into place my way.
First up was the question of the timing - if I went too early, they could revoke my work visa entirely and leave me up a creek for a couple weeks with no work. If I went too late, they could not grant it in time, leaving me here illegally. They could also ignore my request to work until the end of my visa and give me the travel visa as of today, putting the kabosh on any more work. They could not accept the ATM printout as proof of funds and demand a full-out statement (for which I'd have to stand in line and pay at the bank - argh). They could tell me I needed to present myself at an office or be able to receive something in the mail after March 9, the day I fly out of Brisbane. They could be picky about the fact that I hadn't gotten their name exactly right on the money order and send me away, having wasted $10 on a worthless piece of paper. I could have bungled the application. The line could be a million people long and take all day. The office could have moved. It could not be the right office for my particular question... the list goes on and on.
Miraculously, none of these things happened! It was all smooth sailing. I did get a little anxious waiting in line to get a number, and then waiting for my number to be called, but once I found Cubicle 26 in Cubicleland, the girl was friendly as could be. She told me I could work through next Friday, and that on that day they would email me my new visa information, which I could then print out and keep with me as proof, and that's it! The entire process took about 45 minutes and I sauntered in a whole 15 minutes late to work (I'd called to remind them today was the showdown), which I easily made up at lunch, and was so giddy and relieved the rest of the day! It's amazing how you don't realize how stressed something is making you until it's suddenly resolved and you feel TONS better and happier.
Phew! Now on to the next tasks: finding a new housemate to replace me (Alex and I already collaborated on the ad tonight, and they're ready to be put up on the way to work tomorrow), and make sure all the details are in place for traveling!
First up was the question of the timing - if I went too early, they could revoke my work visa entirely and leave me up a creek for a couple weeks with no work. If I went too late, they could not grant it in time, leaving me here illegally. They could also ignore my request to work until the end of my visa and give me the travel visa as of today, putting the kabosh on any more work. They could not accept the ATM printout as proof of funds and demand a full-out statement (for which I'd have to stand in line and pay at the bank - argh). They could tell me I needed to present myself at an office or be able to receive something in the mail after March 9, the day I fly out of Brisbane. They could be picky about the fact that I hadn't gotten their name exactly right on the money order and send me away, having wasted $10 on a worthless piece of paper. I could have bungled the application. The line could be a million people long and take all day. The office could have moved. It could not be the right office for my particular question... the list goes on and on.
Miraculously, none of these things happened! It was all smooth sailing. I did get a little anxious waiting in line to get a number, and then waiting for my number to be called, but once I found Cubicle 26 in Cubicleland, the girl was friendly as could be. She told me I could work through next Friday, and that on that day they would email me my new visa information, which I could then print out and keep with me as proof, and that's it! The entire process took about 45 minutes and I sauntered in a whole 15 minutes late to work (I'd called to remind them today was the showdown), which I easily made up at lunch, and was so giddy and relieved the rest of the day! It's amazing how you don't realize how stressed something is making you until it's suddenly resolved and you feel TONS better and happier.
Phew! Now on to the next tasks: finding a new housemate to replace me (Alex and I already collaborated on the ad tonight, and they're ready to be put up on the way to work tomorrow), and make sure all the details are in place for traveling!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Lawn Bowling
A perfect Sunday afternoon activity. Haidee texted me to see if I wanted to go lawn bowling. I said sure, and dragged along Alex, who then called Matt and Karen (who also ended up giving us a ride), and bang - we had a game on our hands! The club was deserted so we had the place to ourselves. After an initial beer and an informative session provided by the club's lawnsman Randall, we got down to business! Lawn bowling is basically like a cross between Bocce ball and curling, in that you throw (underhanded) a ball towards the jack, which is a smaller, lighter white ball. Since the jack isn't secured onto the field, if you bump it, it moves. The balls you throw are not perfectly spherical - on purpose - so you can't just aim at your target, you have to take the curve into account, which adds the element of surprise to it :)
Once each team has thrown an equal number of balls, whichever team has the closest ball wins. If that team has two balls closest, and the other team's closest ball is third closest, the winning team scores two points. If they have three balls closest before the other team's closest ball, they score three points, and so on. We didn't keep score, and we didn't really have teams, but we did have a lot of fun and we celebrated whoever got closest (that person then got to go first on the next round). There are a few more rules, but let's just leave it at that :) Randall and pal in the peanut gallery offered some commentary and congratulations where appropriate.
L-r: Matt, Alex, Haidee, Karen
Once each team has thrown an equal number of balls, whichever team has the closest ball wins. If that team has two balls closest, and the other team's closest ball is third closest, the winning team scores two points. If they have three balls closest before the other team's closest ball, they score three points, and so on. We didn't keep score, and we didn't really have teams, but we did have a lot of fun and we celebrated whoever got closest (that person then got to go first on the next round). There are a few more rules, but let's just leave it at that :) Randall and pal in the peanut gallery offered some commentary and congratulations where appropriate.
You can see more in the Picasa photo album "Lawn Bowling" (click on the "Photos on Picasa" link to the right). In the meantime, here's a photo of the intrepid lawn bowlers:
L-r: Matt, Alex, Haidee, KarenFriday, February 22, 2008
Lost in Australia
Actual conversation overheard between Alex and his friend Martek:
M: "I finally saw the Lost episodes."
A: "Oh yeah? How'd you find it?"
(Since I only caught that bit, I didn't realize they were talking about the tv show Lost and thought Alex was just being sassy ;))
Alex had "The Lost Kids" over for dinner and the season premiere last night. He had warned me on Wednesday that he was "booking" the kitchen from 8:30-9:30, and the lounge room (living room) from 9:30-10:30. When I got home, he was cooking up a storm, with sous-chef Mia chopping madly to keep up. Upon approving my request to be admitted to the party for dinner, he promptly sent me out to the store in search of more vegetables to be added to the cold rolls (Korean - think Chinese vegetarian spring rolls, only not fried), kangaroo fried rice, and soup. I forget what the soup was called but it was some sort of Asian cuisine where you put a bunch of stuff in your bowl (rice, potato, lettuce, cabbage, carrot, etc) and then pour just enough soup over it to get everything soaked and mushy. Delicious.
Good company too - I got to meet the famous Kate, sister of Jen (you may recall I met Jen and Kate's parents who drove all over Australia (and Europe) in a van - see "Mealtime and Roadway Fun," Tues Dec 4, 2007 - on the righthand side under "blog archive"). At one point Kate and I were talking about her childhood, and she said that for about three years (she was 11-14, her sister was 13-16), they moved around from Adelaide up to Darwin. I must have looked completely unfazed by this, because she said, "Wow, you really did meet my parents! Most people don't believe me!" Also present were Matt, Alex, Mia, Dan, me, and Jordan and Jill. Instead of crowding the eight of us around the kitchen table, we took everything out back (next to the turkey pile) and had a little picnic on what Mr. Turkey had left us of the patio furniture that was out there!
I am currently reading Bill Bryson's Australia book, called "Down Under" (the US title is "In A Sunburned Country"). Anyone who hasn't read any of his stuff, I highly recommend it. Start with "A Walk in the Woods," his account of hiking part of the Appalachian Trail. Absolutely hilarious. Anyway, I started this book, lent to me by a coworker here, a while back and it was so upsettingly dry and unfunny that I actually abandoned it for a while. I must've either lowered my expectations or picked up again just as it got funny, but now it's back (almost) to the Bill Bryson I've come to appreciate. I think I pulled a muscle laughing the other night!
Today's high: 28 C (about 82 F). Tomorrow's high: 36 C (about 97 F)! (For more temperature conversion fun, see the link on the righthand side!)
Alex had "The Lost Kids" over for dinner and the season premiere last night. He had warned me on Wednesday that he was "booking" the kitchen from 8:30-9:30, and the lounge room (living room) from 9:30-10:30. When I got home, he was cooking up a storm, with sous-chef Mia chopping madly to keep up. Upon approving my request to be admitted to the party for dinner, he promptly sent me out to the store in search of more vegetables to be added to the cold rolls (Korean - think Chinese vegetarian spring rolls, only not fried), kangaroo fried rice, and soup. I forget what the soup was called but it was some sort of Asian cuisine where you put a bunch of stuff in your bowl (rice, potato, lettuce, cabbage, carrot, etc) and then pour just enough soup over it to get everything soaked and mushy. Delicious.
Good company too - I got to meet the famous Kate, sister of Jen (you may recall I met Jen and Kate's parents who drove all over Australia (and Europe) in a van - see "Mealtime and Roadway Fun," Tues Dec 4, 2007 - on the righthand side under "blog archive"). At one point Kate and I were talking about her childhood, and she said that for about three years (she was 11-14, her sister was 13-16), they moved around from Adelaide up to Darwin. I must have looked completely unfazed by this, because she said, "Wow, you really did meet my parents! Most people don't believe me!" Also present were Matt, Alex, Mia, Dan, me, and Jordan and Jill. Instead of crowding the eight of us around the kitchen table, we took everything out back (next to the turkey pile) and had a little picnic on what Mr. Turkey had left us of the patio furniture that was out there!
I am currently reading Bill Bryson's Australia book, called "Down Under" (the US title is "In A Sunburned Country"). Anyone who hasn't read any of his stuff, I highly recommend it. Start with "A Walk in the Woods," his account of hiking part of the Appalachian Trail. Absolutely hilarious. Anyway, I started this book, lent to me by a coworker here, a while back and it was so upsettingly dry and unfunny that I actually abandoned it for a while. I must've either lowered my expectations or picked up again just as it got funny, but now it's back (almost) to the Bill Bryson I've come to appreciate. I think I pulled a muscle laughing the other night!
Today's high: 28 C (about 82 F). Tomorrow's high: 36 C (about 97 F)! (For more temperature conversion fun, see the link on the righthand side!)
To do this weekend:
1. Go to pool.
2. Go to beach.
3. Try not to die of over-sweating/sticking-to-couch-itis.
Looking forward to the heat for a change - it's been cool and rainy here!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Considerations
First, trivia. I have to apologize - it turned out this was a trick question as my internet research apparently came up short. Sooooo... they are all tourist attractions - including, yes Rachel, the Big Buffalo. Good guess though, and I love the reasoning out ;)
New Trivia: There are 851 World Heritage Sites. How many are in Australia? (Bonus points if you can name any!)
a) 4
b) 62
c) 109
d) 17
The other night, I was watching the Australian version of the US show So You Think You Can Dance. In addition to having much more diversity than most US reality shows, because this one included an Aboriginal man there was an interesting disclaimer at the beginning of his segment that piqued my curiosity. For those unfamiliar with this type of competitive reality show, they do a little biographical segment on the dancers before they do their routine. In this one, they showed footage of the dancer's mother, and so before the segment they showed the disclaimer "The following shows footage of an Aboriginal or Torrest Strait Islander who has passed away." A quick google search revealed that "[i]n many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the depiction or mention of a person who has passed away can cause great distress to people, as can showing their image through visual media. Even using the same name as the deceased person, or a similar sound, can cause distress for a period of time." Very interesting!
New Trivia: There are 851 World Heritage Sites. How many are in Australia? (Bonus points if you can name any!)
a) 4
b) 62
c) 109
d) 17
The other night, I was watching the Australian version of the US show So You Think You Can Dance. In addition to having much more diversity than most US reality shows, because this one included an Aboriginal man there was an interesting disclaimer at the beginning of his segment that piqued my curiosity. For those unfamiliar with this type of competitive reality show, they do a little biographical segment on the dancers before they do their routine. In this one, they showed footage of the dancer's mother, and so before the segment they showed the disclaimer "The following shows footage of an Aboriginal or Torrest Strait Islander who has passed away." A quick google search revealed that "[i]n many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the depiction or mention of a person who has passed away can cause great distress to people, as can showing their image through visual media. Even using the same name as the deceased person, or a similar sound, can cause distress for a period of time." Very interesting!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Housemate News
Interesting weekend... I got home on Friday to hear from both Dan and a note left in my room, that the girl I'm subletting from, B, had been by to start getting her things in order as she has signed another lease and is not moving back in. She also wanted to let me know that she would be by at 9am Saturday morning and could I please be around to move my stuff out of the room so she could get her furniture out. How nice of her to give me, oh, 14 hours' notice. Luckily I don't have that much stuff and I didn't need to pack it carefully, but still. So I threw it all into my bags and put them out in the living room, since I already had plans for Saturday morning.
I was a little annoyed and therefore grateful that I already had an excuse not to be there when
she was there. The book group met for breakfast at a little restaurant, so unobtrusive in the tiniest strip of stores I've ever seen that they all looked closed and I walked right by without seeing the sign for the restaurant. I eventually found it and we had a delightful meal. After we ate, we realized we hadn't really talked about the book at all, despite its physical presence on the table, so we adjourned to a nearby park to discuss it without having to shout at each other over the din of the restaurant. It was a good time, and here is a photo of my fellow bookworms (minus Lauren, who had to leave early): l-r Meg, Megan, Damien, Haidee - pronounced Heidi - and me.
Then a bunch of us wanted to go on to the farmer's market, so I walked over there with Haidee and her sister (who took the photo) who then had to leave, and then met up with the Megs. Later, Meg called to invite me out for a beer, and I pointed out to her that usually we get to catch up with each other on the bus or car ride to wherever we're meeting, but we met in our neighborhood this time, so I walked and we didn't get to catch up. It was nice to get out and about, especially since I live right off the main road here.
B came back today for her bed and my room was quite sad and lonely-looking for a while with no furniture and just my stuff piled in a corner, till Ray helped me drag in the spare (twin) mattress. Alex said he might soon have a superfluous dresser, which would be very helpful! Turns out the person Dan is subletting from also is not coming back, so he can stay in the house as long as he wants.
Today being Alex's birthday, I made chocolate chip cookies. (Please see entry from Sept. 17, 2007 called "Australian cooking measurements" for a detailed description of why this was kind of an ordeal...) I basically ended up guesstimating on a bunch of stuff, but it seems to have worked out, except that they're flatter than usual, but still good. I also had to guess on the oven temperature, since my conversion chart gave temperatures for electric in Celcius, and gas ovens in numbers 1-9, but we have a gas stove that has Celcius on its knobs. But they taste pretty good (well, Dan and I had to try one, to make sure they were okay...), so I'm just waiting for Alex to come home from his birthday celebration with his parents so we can eat them!
He also had big plans last night, going from dinner to karaoke to a club with a group of his friends, and in preparation he had Mia shave his head in a funny pattern, so I will leave you with that image:
I was a little annoyed and therefore grateful that I already had an excuse not to be there when
she was there. The book group met for breakfast at a little restaurant, so unobtrusive in the tiniest strip of stores I've ever seen that they all looked closed and I walked right by without seeing the sign for the restaurant. I eventually found it and we had a delightful meal. After we ate, we realized we hadn't really talked about the book at all, despite its physical presence on the table, so we adjourned to a nearby park to discuss it without having to shout at each other over the din of the restaurant. It was a good time, and here is a photo of my fellow bookworms (minus Lauren, who had to leave early): l-r Meg, Megan, Damien, Haidee - pronounced Heidi - and me.Then a bunch of us wanted to go on to the farmer's market, so I walked over there with Haidee and her sister (who took the photo) who then had to leave, and then met up with the Megs. Later, Meg called to invite me out for a beer, and I pointed out to her that usually we get to catch up with each other on the bus or car ride to wherever we're meeting, but we met in our neighborhood this time, so I walked and we didn't get to catch up. It was nice to get out and about, especially since I live right off the main road here.
B came back today for her bed and my room was quite sad and lonely-looking for a while with no furniture and just my stuff piled in a corner, till Ray helped me drag in the spare (twin) mattress. Alex said he might soon have a superfluous dresser, which would be very helpful! Turns out the person Dan is subletting from also is not coming back, so he can stay in the house as long as he wants.
Today being Alex's birthday, I made chocolate chip cookies. (Please see entry from Sept. 17, 2007 called "Australian cooking measurements" for a detailed description of why this was kind of an ordeal...) I basically ended up guesstimating on a bunch of stuff, but it seems to have worked out, except that they're flatter than usual, but still good. I also had to guess on the oven temperature, since my conversion chart gave temperatures for electric in Celcius, and gas ovens in numbers 1-9, but we have a gas stove that has Celcius on its knobs. But they taste pretty good (well, Dan and I had to try one, to make sure they were okay...), so I'm just waiting for Alex to come home from his birthday celebration with his parents so we can eat them!He also had big plans last night, going from dinner to karaoke to a club with a group of his friends, and in preparation he had Mia shave his head in a funny pattern, so I will leave you with that image:
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Sorry?
Yesterday, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd "said sorry" to the Aborigines. For those unfamiliar with the history, until shockingly recently (1969), Aboriginal children were torn from their homes (opponents use the term "abducted") and sent away to western-style schools, much like our own history of stealing Native American children to be sent away to boarding schools. These Aboriginal children are now called The Stolen Generations. (See the movie Rabbit-Proof Fence to get an idea.)
Anyway, for such a drop in the bucket, it sure was like pulling teeth. On TV, the newscasters interviewed people who said it meant a lot to them: those of the Stolen Generations, their families and friends. But what would real action mean to them? What would listening to what they want and learning to understand and treating them, if not with actual respect and reverence, at least as equals, mean? A four-page, formal, forced-sounding speech from a brand-new Prime Minister, while the jerk who held the office before him stubbornly stays absent from the scene - what does that accomplish? Rudd's predecessor, John Howard, made a big deal of refusing to apologize for the atrocities committed against the Aboriginal communities. For all my daydreams about how fantastic this magical world of Australia would be, their treatment of Aborigines has by far been the most crushing disillusionment. To me, native culture is to be celebrated and respected, not steamrolled and assimilated.
As I said to someone who described the Aborigines she saw portrayed on the US news shows as "sketchy-looking," that image is due mostly to rampant poverty and alcohol abuse, direct results of the racism and lack of respect from the ruling government who supposedly was educating the children to be able to fit in and compete in their world. We don't have to agree with, like, or even want to adopt Aboriginal ways of life, but we do have to not only tolerate but appreciate, respect and learn from them. They have so much wisdom about surviving on this land (which, I'm learning, was not even as harsh an environment until westerners introduced certain key plants and animals) that is simply disregarded when it could be life-saving, so much soul and uniqueness that would enhance everyone's life to know of.
Another northern-hemisphere friend and I agreed recently that the northern constellations were more interesting because they have much more history and mythology behind them. It's true that the stars I could see from the beach in Byron Bay were primarily in one band across the sky, and even of those I recognized many from the northern hemisphere. But I suddenly realized we were wrong - who knows how much mythology Aboriginal culture holds? No really - who knows?
Anyway, for such a drop in the bucket, it sure was like pulling teeth. On TV, the newscasters interviewed people who said it meant a lot to them: those of the Stolen Generations, their families and friends. But what would real action mean to them? What would listening to what they want and learning to understand and treating them, if not with actual respect and reverence, at least as equals, mean? A four-page, formal, forced-sounding speech from a brand-new Prime Minister, while the jerk who held the office before him stubbornly stays absent from the scene - what does that accomplish? Rudd's predecessor, John Howard, made a big deal of refusing to apologize for the atrocities committed against the Aboriginal communities. For all my daydreams about how fantastic this magical world of Australia would be, their treatment of Aborigines has by far been the most crushing disillusionment. To me, native culture is to be celebrated and respected, not steamrolled and assimilated.
As I said to someone who described the Aborigines she saw portrayed on the US news shows as "sketchy-looking," that image is due mostly to rampant poverty and alcohol abuse, direct results of the racism and lack of respect from the ruling government who supposedly was educating the children to be able to fit in and compete in their world. We don't have to agree with, like, or even want to adopt Aboriginal ways of life, but we do have to not only tolerate but appreciate, respect and learn from them. They have so much wisdom about surviving on this land (which, I'm learning, was not even as harsh an environment until westerners introduced certain key plants and animals) that is simply disregarded when it could be life-saving, so much soul and uniqueness that would enhance everyone's life to know of.
Another northern-hemisphere friend and I agreed recently that the northern constellations were more interesting because they have much more history and mythology behind them. It's true that the stars I could see from the beach in Byron Bay were primarily in one band across the sky, and even of those I recognized many from the northern hemisphere. But I suddenly realized we were wrong - who knows how much mythology Aboriginal culture holds? No really - who knows?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Boosh Tukkey
(In honor of Mia's return from her trip to Japan...)
I had lived in the house for maybe a day or two when suddenly Mia turned to me and said (imagine Japanese accent), "Have you seen boosh tukkey?" I gave her the look of blankness, and she got up and gestured for me to follow her. She led me down the back stairs and into the yard, and pointed at the big mound in the corner, and its king, the bush turkey who has taken up seemingly permanent residence. Apparently the male of the species makes a mound in preparation for the eggs, buries them inside, and watches over them until they hatch. So far we haven't seen any eggs, but the mound just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I'm pretty sure one of my t-shirts is in there, and more than one sock, either nicked from the clothesline or snatched up when the wind blew them off. In any case, I definitely do not want them back! I did see him crossing the street one day on my way home, so I think he goes out to steal things from other people's yards too. He's been gone for a few days, who knows what he's up to. Bush turkeys are actually everywhere, on the University of Queensland campus, at our campsite a few weeks ago, in the park. Sort of like squirrels... who steal your stuff! Anyway, here are some photos of him and his pile:
I had lived in the house for maybe a day or two when suddenly Mia turned to me and said (imagine Japanese accent), "Have you seen boosh tukkey?" I gave her the look of blankness, and she got up and gestured for me to follow her. She led me down the back stairs and into the yard, and pointed at the big mound in the corner, and its king, the bush turkey who has taken up seemingly permanent residence. Apparently the male of the species makes a mound in preparation for the eggs, buries them inside, and watches over them until they hatch. So far we haven't seen any eggs, but the mound just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I'm pretty sure one of my t-shirts is in there, and more than one sock, either nicked from the clothesline or snatched up when the wind blew them off. In any case, I definitely do not want them back! I did see him crossing the street one day on my way home, so I think he goes out to steal things from other people's yards too. He's been gone for a few days, who knows what he's up to. Bush turkeys are actually everywhere, on the University of Queensland campus, at our campsite a few weeks ago, in the park. Sort of like squirrels... who steal your stuff! Anyway, here are some photos of him and his pile:
Monday, February 11, 2008
A Very Aussie Sunday
Trivia: Rachel wins the prize again, it is indeed the super cool emu and kangaroo. (Deduct one point for use of "totes" ;))
New Trivia: Which of the following is NOT an Australian tourist attraction?
a) The Big Pineapple
b) The Big Penguin
c) The Big Mango
d) The Big Prawn
e) The Big Banana
f) The Big Buffalo
g) The Big Egg
So yesterday Dan and I met up with two of the book group girls at a movie at the Moonlight Cinema called Hunting and Gathering (with Audrey Tautou, aka Amelie). We took blankets and wine and a little dinner - and of course the Aerogard (bug spray)! It was a lovely evening.
Before that, Alex, Dan and I watched The Castle. It's worth mentioning that every person I've told that to has immediately grinned in recognition and nostalgia. It's the hilariously mocking story of a bogan (white trash) family who lives right next to the airport outside Melbourne and go to court to save their house from being bought and torn down by the airport. Brilliant. As I said, everyone I've mentioned it to knows it, even though it was only made about 10 years ago, and I feel very Aussie for having seen it.
New Trivia: Which of the following is NOT an Australian tourist attraction?
a) The Big Pineapple
b) The Big Penguin
c) The Big Mango
d) The Big Prawn
e) The Big Banana
f) The Big Buffalo
g) The Big Egg
So yesterday Dan and I met up with two of the book group girls at a movie at the Moonlight Cinema called Hunting and Gathering (with Audrey Tautou, aka Amelie). We took blankets and wine and a little dinner - and of course the Aerogard (bug spray)! It was a lovely evening.
Before that, Alex, Dan and I watched The Castle. It's worth mentioning that every person I've told that to has immediately grinned in recognition and nostalgia. It's the hilariously mocking story of a bogan (white trash) family who lives right next to the airport outside Melbourne and go to court to save their house from being bought and torn down by the airport. Brilliant. As I said, everyone I've mentioned it to knows it, even though it was only made about 10 years ago, and I feel very Aussie for having seen it.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Like a Drowned Rat
The most incredible thing just happened as I was leaving work. Being on the 29th floor of the office building, we can see pretty far. At happy hour, we can see to the south and west, also known as the direction of home. It was a beautiful day until about 6pm, and then I suddenly noticed a huge black cloud out over the sunset. "I don't like the looks of that cloud," I said to my coworkers, and grabbed my bag and fleece. It was getting a bit chilly and as I left the bridge and stood on the street corner, the first fat drops hit my face. By the time the light changed, I was huddled gratefully under another girl's umbrella. By the time we made it to the other side and the shelter of an overpass, my pants were soaked and the street had turned into a river. Rain was coming down in sheets and at an angle so the fifteen of us who were stranded were huddled together in the middle. Eventually it let up just a little and I decided that I just wanted to get home so I just kept walking through it. It had stopped raining by the time I got to my house and I could even see stars. I peeled my clothes off and hopped straight into my pjs!
Moving on... last night we were watching tv and happened across "Out of the Question," a tv show very similar to NPR's radio show "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" - a panel of comedians answers questions about the day's or week's news. The tv show made me a little homesick for Wait Wait which my sister and I used to listen to while lazing around on Saturday mornings, so I logged on to npr.org to see what I could see, and was able to listen to about half of last week's broadcast online (before bedtime). It was absolutely hilarious, just as good as I remember. Alex, meanwhile, had moved on to Lost and I was sitting on the other end of the couch, just shaking with silent laughter as Paula Poundstone and Peter Sagal buzzed through my earphones. I'm going to have to make those kids listen to Wait Wait with me some day!
I was getting a ribbing in vocabulary from our receptionist the other day - she likes to tease me about American things such as sweaters, jelly, sloppy joes, and other nonsense (jumpers, jam, and, uh, nonexistent, respectively). It absolutely floors me that even though we speak the same language, we sometimes don't even have a word for a concept that the other culture has. I have come across this in Spanish, of course, but that is usually explained away by the language barrier - though it has nothing to do with the language at all, really, it's all cultural! Amazing.
Moving on... last night we were watching tv and happened across "Out of the Question," a tv show very similar to NPR's radio show "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" - a panel of comedians answers questions about the day's or week's news. The tv show made me a little homesick for Wait Wait which my sister and I used to listen to while lazing around on Saturday mornings, so I logged on to npr.org to see what I could see, and was able to listen to about half of last week's broadcast online (before bedtime). It was absolutely hilarious, just as good as I remember. Alex, meanwhile, had moved on to Lost and I was sitting on the other end of the couch, just shaking with silent laughter as Paula Poundstone and Peter Sagal buzzed through my earphones. I'm going to have to make those kids listen to Wait Wait with me some day!
I was getting a ribbing in vocabulary from our receptionist the other day - she likes to tease me about American things such as sweaters, jelly, sloppy joes, and other nonsense (jumpers, jam, and, uh, nonexistent, respectively). It absolutely floors me that even though we speak the same language, we sometimes don't even have a word for a concept that the other culture has. I have come across this in Spanish, of course, but that is usually explained away by the language barrier - though it has nothing to do with the language at all, really, it's all cultural! Amazing.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Little Sister Syndrome
I have gotten so used to the Australian accent that I am startled when people do a double-take when I open my mouth, or when they ask me if I'm Canadian. Which brings me to another point: Little Sister Syndrome. Also known as "They're Onto Us". The relationship that Australia has with New Zealand is very much like our relationship with our lovable neighbors to the frozen north. They are our little sisters, and I say that with all the respect that comes with being a little sister oneself. They are self-righteously indignant at constantly being compared with their big sister and scoff at anyone who tries to do so, while the big sister looks on in amusement, pushing away the little one's head at arm's length while she flails her too-short arms in frustration.
Anyway, the point is that Aussies have learned how not to offend our little sisters, the Canadians: when one detects a North American accent, it is safest to guess they are Canadian. If you're right, the Canadian will be pleased as punch. If you're wrong, the American will be amused but certainly not offended. Take note if you ever come across an accent you're not sure is New Zealand or Australian: guess New Zealand!
Anyway, the point is that Aussies have learned how not to offend our little sisters, the Canadians: when one detects a North American accent, it is safest to guess they are Canadian. If you're right, the Canadian will be pleased as punch. If you're wrong, the American will be amused but certainly not offended. Take note if you ever come across an accent you're not sure is New Zealand or Australian: guess New Zealand!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
New Stuff!
Trivia
Well, old trivia first: Congratulations to Rachel, the seventh (eight-pointed) star on the Australian flag stands for the number of states and territories. (And even though she didn't name them correctly, extra credit for creativity, and for making me laugh out loud at work!)
Ok, new trivia: Which two Australian animals appear on the country's national coat of arms?
Photos
Photos from last weekend's camping trip to Byron Bay are up! Check the Picasa link on the right.
Well, old trivia first: Congratulations to Rachel, the seventh (eight-pointed) star on the Australian flag stands for the number of states and territories. (And even though she didn't name them correctly, extra credit for creativity, and for making me laugh out loud at work!)
Ok, new trivia: Which two Australian animals appear on the country's national coat of arms?
Photos
Photos from last weekend's camping trip to Byron Bay are up! Check the Picasa link on the right.
Friday, February 1, 2008
The Unfamiliar
Travel plans are finalized! (Or should I say, finalised ;)) A week in Melbourne, then a tour up the "Red Centre" (where Ayers Rock is, among just a couple of other things - it is the outback, after all!), then a couple of days in Sydney before heading to a tour on the south island of New Zealand, then a few days in LA and then home! Phew - makes me tired just thinking about it!
I had borrowed a travel guide to New Zealand from a coworker at "Place B," because, well, he offered, and also because I thought I was going back there. He eventually needed it back and realized I wasn't coming back, which coincided with a meeting he had at our office today. So reluctantly, because my plans were just finalized and I had been waiting to see how much time I would have and where before I looked through it, I finally opened it and skimmed through as much as I could before I had to give it back to him today! It was nice to see him again though and we got a chance to catch up a little.
As the substitute receptionist / mail handler in an international patent law firm, I recently had the occasion to come across mail from the US. For those of you who have limited experience with other countries, it seems to me that almost every one has its own paper size. Australia's is called A4, and it's maybe half an inch longer and just slightly smaller width-wise. For the first time, 8.5x11 looked really bizarre - short and fat, where A4 paper is tall and skinny! It's just such a slight difference both directions, but it's amazing how quickly your eye gets used to it!
US phone numbers are also starting to look a tad short, though that's mostly to do with the fact that they're divided differently, they're the same amount of numbers (12-3456-7890 or 1234-567-890 vs the US's 123-456-7890). The fact that they have different formats for different kinds of numbers threw me at first, too. The first one above is for a regular landline, and the second one is for a mobile (cell phone), which all start with 04 (it's like an area code - it's actually a really good idea to have a way to tell if a number is a cell phone or not - one of many Australian things I wish we would adopt!). If your number fits a pattern another way, you can also read it that way, for example: 07-463-66-88-22. Then there are toll-free numbers, which are only 6 digits! Don't ask me how that works. They're all 13-xxxx (13-56-44 for example).
I had borrowed a travel guide to New Zealand from a coworker at "Place B," because, well, he offered, and also because I thought I was going back there. He eventually needed it back and realized I wasn't coming back, which coincided with a meeting he had at our office today. So reluctantly, because my plans were just finalized and I had been waiting to see how much time I would have and where before I looked through it, I finally opened it and skimmed through as much as I could before I had to give it back to him today! It was nice to see him again though and we got a chance to catch up a little.
As the substitute receptionist / mail handler in an international patent law firm, I recently had the occasion to come across mail from the US. For those of you who have limited experience with other countries, it seems to me that almost every one has its own paper size. Australia's is called A4, and it's maybe half an inch longer and just slightly smaller width-wise. For the first time, 8.5x11 looked really bizarre - short and fat, where A4 paper is tall and skinny! It's just such a slight difference both directions, but it's amazing how quickly your eye gets used to it!
US phone numbers are also starting to look a tad short, though that's mostly to do with the fact that they're divided differently, they're the same amount of numbers (12-3456-7890 or 1234-567-890 vs the US's 123-456-7890). The fact that they have different formats for different kinds of numbers threw me at first, too. The first one above is for a regular landline, and the second one is for a mobile (cell phone), which all start with 04 (it's like an area code - it's actually a really good idea to have a way to tell if a number is a cell phone or not - one of many Australian things I wish we would adopt!). If your number fits a pattern another way, you can also read it that way, for example: 07-463-66-88-22. Then there are toll-free numbers, which are only 6 digits! Don't ask me how that works. They're all 13-xxxx (13-56-44 for example).
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
When you see the Southern Cross for the first time, you understand now why you came this way...
Trivia answer: The five stars form the Southern Cross.
Next trivia question: So we've got seven stars on the Australian flag: five are the Southern Cross, one is the Union Jack, and what does the last star represent? (Hint: It has 8 points.)
Next trivia question: So we've got seven stars on the Australian flag: five are the Southern Cross, one is the Union Jack, and what does the last star represent? (Hint: It has 8 points.)
Last week was a busy one, with book group and then preparing for the camping trip. After much hemming and hawing about whether to leave Friday right after work or Saturday morning. We compromised (mostly because we had decided on Friday and couldn't get our act together - and by "we" I mean "Alex") and left at 8:00 Friday night. With a half-hour pit stop for beer, two-hour drive, half-hour dinner stop and one-hour time change, we got to Byron Bay around midnight in the pouring rain. Thinking this did not bode well for the rest of the weekend, we hemmed and hawed a bit more when we got there about whether to bother setting up the tent or just sleep in the car! Eventually the rain let up a tiny bit so we threw the tent up (5 minutes - must have been a record), crawled inside and passed out.
We had stopped at a gas station to ask directions, partly because we were relying on Alex's stellar memory from the last time he was at the campsite, and partly because we couldn't see a thing in the pouring rain. We asked the gas station attendant when it had started raining and he said, "About a month ago..."! We'd been hearing on the news that northern New South Wales had been pounded with rain recently, to the point of flooding, and yet this had not registered with any of us. Luckily it knocked that off the rest of the time we were there and was absolutely gorgeous the entire time after that. The campsite was about a one-minute walk from the beach, so any time we got too hot we just ran down and jumped in the surf. We also bought a tarp and rope and Alex and Dan rigged it up to stretch from the tree to the car so we had a nice big shady area to lie under in the heat of the day.
Speaking of the Southern Cross, the nights were so clear that we were able to do some star gazing, and I did see it. I couldn't see the fifth star, but I did learn how to find south from it (there are parallel lines and perpendicular lines and intersections... don't ask me to explain it!). We could also see Orion and Casseopia and Pegasus and had a bonfire on the beach and singalongs, and much fun was had by all.
In my opinion, Monday was the best day. We took our time packing up camp (we were supposed to be out by 10am... rolled out about noon) and headed into the town of Byron where we picked up a picnic of fish and chips. After we ate them in the park, we headed out to the lighthouse. Most of my photos (which will be up soon) are from the lighthouse - it's apparently the easternmost point of mainland Australia. You can even take this path down from the lighthouse all the way out to the furthest rocks that go into the water, which the boys did while I waited (more or less) patiently in the shade and listened to the Portuguese and Spanish on either side of me.
On the way down from the lighthouse, we stopped at a very calm beach where it was actually possible to swim and cavort and play around in the very calm waves. It was a perfect way to cool off mid-day before jumping in the car and battling the mildest post-holiday-weekend traffic I've ever seen. Made it home safe and sound around 6pm yesterday and just finished cleaning up the disaster area that was the kitchen :)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Long Weekends
Dear USA,
Happy MLK Day!
Love,
Tuesday
Tuesday
I was talking to the other American here at work (the one from Grosse Pointe) today when another attorney informed him that yesterday/today was "some sort of holiday in the US". He said, "Really?" and I chimed in with, "Martin Luther King day, of course!" Oh, how quickly they forget :) It's a little weird not just because it was Tuesday here, but also because this coming weekend is the holiday here, Australia Day (observed Jan. 26 or next working day - in this case Monday). When I was talking to my mom this weekend I mentioned that to her and she asked me if people wish each other a "Happy Australia Day". Alex happened to be passing through the room so I asked him and he laughed at me! In fact, I believe he said something along the lines of, "You're usually too drunk to wish anyone anything." This seems to be the general pattern of an Australian holiday: head to the beach/camping ground, drink too much, and fire up the barbie!
Sunday was also a phenomenon called Big Day Out. There is some controversy among the housemates and co. about whether this used to be held on Australia Day weekend or not, but in any case now it is the weekend before. It is basically a coordinated effort in the big cities across the country to get as many people as sunburned, dehydrated, deafened and happy as possible in one big day of outdoor musical acts. I didn't go (see the rainforest entry :)) but Alex and Ray went and had a great time. Alex was a volunteer, which meant that he wandered around spraying people with water. I'm not sure how effective that was but he seemed happy.
Update: Apparently Big Day Out is not all on one day, but is like a big tour of bands, so each weekend they hit different cities.
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Sound of Silence
Congratulations to Mindy (aka Manisha) for getting the answer right on the nose! There are 8 states, and since no one apparently wants to take a stab at naming them, here they are: Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria, ACT (Capital Territory - very similar to Washington DC), New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania. (Ok so technically there are 6 states and 2 territories, oh well.)
New trivia question: Of the seven stars on the Australian flag (including the Union Jack), five form the shape of what? (I'll try to give you guys about a week to get up the nerve to post... remember, you don't need to register anymore in order to post a comment, and you also can't cheat by looking up the answer!)
Yesterday, Dan and I ventured out into the wild world beyond Brissy, aka the Northern Hinterland (they really do call it that!). We had stopped at a lookout place on our adventure to the beach a few weeks ago that was just across the road from a "scenic preserve" so we decided to go back up and check it out. It turned out to be a rainforest (called Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve) and it was beautiful. The walk was less than 2km but we ambled through and it took us about 2 and a half hours. There were lots of families and other assorted really loud people (including one girl on her cell phone, which was completely baffling), but when they were out of earshot it was wonderful and hardly quiet at all. Between the occasional rustling of pademelons (small reddish marsupials in the wallaby/kangaroo family) and the various birdcalls (one sounded like a crying baby!) were the soft sounds of falling leaves, the hum of insects, and the creaking and sighing of trees. I mostly took photos of the trees, since I'm not a good enough birdwatcher to spot them and the pademelons were too quick. The trees were spectacular, though, as you will see. Most of them had vines curling around them, one even to the point that the trunk was growing over around the vine! Some were really big around, a lot looked like many trees growing extremely close together, and a few had fallen down, creating holes in the canopy which let in lots more sunlight than I was expecting to see in a rainforest!
At one point I mentioned to Dan that I'd never been in a rainforest before. About five minutes later when he had registered and digested this information, he said, "But you lived in Guatemala!" I explained to him that the rainforest parts of Guatemala were found in the north, waaaaaaaay the heck away from anywhere, and in a malaria zone. Even had I had the money and inclination to travel around, I still would not have because I didn't have malaria medicine.
It was nice to be quiet for a while and let the world do the talking. Try it sometime! In the meantime, check out the photos on Picasa (album called "Rainforest").
Thursday, January 17, 2008
New Photos!
Bunya nut excitement is up on the Picasa link to the right. Click on "Photos on Picasa" and select the album "Bunya Nut Night". Enjoy!
Monday, January 14, 2008
'Strayan
At work's happy hour on Friday I got to meet the lovely family of the partner here who got me the job. His wife is very nice and we spent a long time talking. She asked me how my Australian ('Strayan') is coming, and I told her pretty good! In light of that, some anecdotes:
At book group on Thursday, in addition to mispronouncing the bookstore name, I also was trying to spell Carlos Ruiz Zafon's second name to Meg. She kept spelling it "Louis," partly because she couldn't hear me very well and partly, it turned out when another girl "translated" for us, because I kept saying the last letter as "zee" instead of "zed." When they say "zee," I can suddenly hear how it sounds funny - mostly because they giggle as they say it!
Vocabulary lesson
"Chase up" (as opposed to chase down - must be the whole south-of-the-equator thing - also means "follow up on") Ex. I'd like you to chase up an answer to this question.
"Bogan" - white trash. Also Bevin (though that has more of a car-obsession element, I'm told) - this also made the recent election of Kevin Rudd intensely amusing to some, due to the rhyming factor.
"Bogan" - white trash. Also Bevin (though that has more of a car-obsession element, I'm told) - this also made the recent election of Kevin Rudd intensely amusing to some, due to the rhyming factor.
Unrelatedly, I have also been asked my opinion on all the election hoopla, often by people I barely know just because they know I'm American, and have given more crash courses in US election procedure than I care to count. Dan the Hungarian asked me why we were having an election now and one in November; that was a fun one. I have found it confuses people to no end that, even if I had a ballot, it wouldn't matter if I voted because of the Democratic response to Michigan's primary. It is a very interesting time to be here - having been here for the Australian election and getting a crash couse in their system, and now having the tables turned.
The house is in a bit of an uproar right now - we roasted Bunya nuts (Alex brought home an entire "cone" and it was quite a project - I took some photos which will be up as soon as my battery charges...) and people kept dropping in: Mark, Chris (who lives here and from whom Dan is subletting, so we're not quite sure how that'll shake out), Joe and his cousin, Ray's girlfriend Greta, and we're all making plans for our camping trip over 'Straya Day (Jan 26). I'm going to go rejoin the "bogan/bevin" discussion I sparked and eat some more Bunya nuts!
The house is in a bit of an uproar right now - we roasted Bunya nuts (Alex brought home an entire "cone" and it was quite a project - I took some photos which will be up as soon as my battery charges...) and people kept dropping in: Mark, Chris (who lives here and from whom Dan is subletting, so we're not quite sure how that'll shake out), Joe and his cousin, Ray's girlfriend Greta, and we're all making plans for our camping trip over 'Straya Day (Jan 26). I'm going to go rejoin the "bogan/bevin" discussion I sparked and eat some more Bunya nuts!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Just Kidding - Ray Fixed It!
I think Alex sabotages the Internet connection when he goes away, because this is the second time he's gone away and the second time it's gone out! Anyway, I'm writing this at work while covering reception because it's too distracting to get anything else done, and I will stop at the library on my way home to post it.
Trivia: Since no one took a stab at it, I will tell you anyway. The didgeridoo comes from the Aborigines that live in the nothern region of the country, up near Darwin. If you haven't looked at them yet, there are some photos in the newest sets (Woodford - on the Picasa link) of a Didgeridoo-Making Workshop that was at the festival. Ok, new trivia question: How many states are there in Australia (and can you name them)? (If it makes your brain hurt too much, don't worry - most Aussies don't know the answer off the top of their head, they have to count. Hint: They can count them on two hands.)
Pretty quiet week - just book club last night. We discussed A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers and chose the next book, Praise by Andrew McGahan, because I wanted to read something by an Australian about Australia. In the big bookstore here (the Aussie version of Barnes and Noble), they have a whole section on Australian authors, which I think is a really cool feature. I also pronounced the name of the store (Dymocks) as DIE-mocks, and everyone got the look of confusion and then burst out laughing. "Oh no, what did I do now?" Apparently it's pronounced "dimmicks." We all had a good laugh about that one! That's about all that's going on here.
No dice.
No internet at the house and the library won't let me cut and paste the entry I wrote today! More later... probably after the weekend. Have a good weekend!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Photos!
Click on the "Photos on Picasa" link to the right. Three new albums: "Woodford Folk Festival," "King's Beach," and "Christmas Dinner."
This is the link to a video I took of a group playing the didgeridoo albeit untraditionally :) I have no idea if the sound will work and the picture is pretty bad because it was a packed house, but give it a shot.
And this is the link to a video of the Japanese drumming, also from Woodford. Even if the sound doesn't work their show was visually stunning as well.
Enjoy!
This is the link to a video I took of a group playing the didgeridoo albeit untraditionally :) I have no idea if the sound will work and the picture is pretty bad because it was a packed house, but give it a shot.
And this is the link to a video of the Japanese drumming, also from Woodford. Even if the sound doesn't work their show was visually stunning as well.
Enjoy!
Monday, January 7, 2008
In Which Amy Finally "Gets" Surfing
Family trip to the beach on Sunday! We were up at the crack of 6:30 and out the door by 7:15, which is pretty impressive. Two hours up the coast later, we arrived at King's Beach and piled out of Dan's "new" '91 Mitsubishi Magna. After snagging a prime shady spot on the busy beach, arranging our towels and having a quick sunscreen-drying session, we hit the waves.
A few years ago, when I was in Guatemala, a friend of the family who lives there took me and his daughters to the beach. It is these infrequent trips to the beach that make me realize, not only why these trips are so infrequent, but just how spoiled I was growing up around so much calm water. I don't really do waves. Five minutes in Guatemala's Pacific and it chewed me up and spit me out. It wasn't quite as bad yesterday, but I did still have salt water coming out of my nose at one point and beat a hasty retreat to the shore.
As I sat on the sand, I watched the never-ending, man-eating waves. I also watched all the people who had brought all manner of floating boards and had a revelation of sorts: THIS is where surfing came from. You can only be tossed around so many times before it gets old and you need something else to do. You can't really be under the waves, so why not be on top of them and deal with the waves the easy way? And bango - you have surfing!
Even though we reapplied when we got back to the towels, we were all pretty pink by the time we got home and were able to evaluate the damage in fake light. We were at the beach for maybe three hours, through a couple of wave-fighting sessions, sausages and ice cream, and a little nap, until the sky clouded over and it got cooler. We took the scenic route home, going past the site of the folk festival, which I'd never really seen in daylight. It was beautiful and pictures will be up shortly. Sunburn excepted, it was a lovely day at the beach.
A few years ago, when I was in Guatemala, a friend of the family who lives there took me and his daughters to the beach. It is these infrequent trips to the beach that make me realize, not only why these trips are so infrequent, but just how spoiled I was growing up around so much calm water. I don't really do waves. Five minutes in Guatemala's Pacific and it chewed me up and spit me out. It wasn't quite as bad yesterday, but I did still have salt water coming out of my nose at one point and beat a hasty retreat to the shore.
As I sat on the sand, I watched the never-ending, man-eating waves. I also watched all the people who had brought all manner of floating boards and had a revelation of sorts: THIS is where surfing came from. You can only be tossed around so many times before it gets old and you need something else to do. You can't really be under the waves, so why not be on top of them and deal with the waves the easy way? And bango - you have surfing!
Even though we reapplied when we got back to the towels, we were all pretty pink by the time we got home and were able to evaluate the damage in fake light. We were at the beach for maybe three hours, through a couple of wave-fighting sessions, sausages and ice cream, and a little nap, until the sky clouded over and it got cooler. We took the scenic route home, going past the site of the folk festival, which I'd never really seen in daylight. It was beautiful and pictures will be up shortly. Sunburn excepted, it was a lovely day at the beach.
Friday, January 4, 2008
And We're Back!
Trivia Answer
Rainraingoa Way
One of the many clever street names created for the festival - and the most appropriate. The camping areas were better organized than they probably seemed to most campers, but there were little dirt roads with street signs. It was especially crucial for emergencies, to get a tow truck or ambulance to exactly the right spot. At the office we had an ellidex of all the street names and some of them are quite clever. My favorites included Longandwinding Road, Helovesmeinhisblokey Way, Ilovea Parade, etc.
I asked this question because I had a bet going with the housemates about how many people thought the national anthem was "Waltzing Matilda," which the Aussies thought was just preposterous. M wins the prize, the correct answer is "Advance Australia Fair," which makes the restaurant sign below very clever (Tukka is "tucker," the Aussie word for food, spoken with an Aussie accent).
However, I am liking this trivia idea, so here is another one: What region of Australia does the didgeridoo come from?
Mudford
The folk festival was excellent. I never thought I would have so much fun camping. For a week. In the rain. But it was great! It would have been even better if I had actually moved my camp up to where everyone I knew was camping, but oh well. I got a lot of exercise going between the two hills (where the camps were) that were on opposite sides of the "festival village". It really was amazing how this little town sprang up in the middle of nowhere, just for a week. With all the rain, everything was quite muddy. All of the venues were tents and dirt (mud, lake) floors. Eventually you just had to stop caring. I took a few photos and some videos, which I will try to get online soon. I had to restrain myself when it came to buying CDs because they are crazy expensive here, but I did get three that I am very excited about :)
Fantastic Little People
In order to attend for free, I worked in the Operations Center which is the hub of the festival. Anything the venues (stages where artists were performing or bars connected to the stages) needed, they contacted us. Half the time it was for more gravel to fill in their swamps, or other weather-related incidents (like towing out of the mud). We also handled all emergency calls, keeping the caller on the line while dialing "Triple 0" (911) and relaying information between the two. It was exciting to say the least. One of the supervisors described her five-year-old twins as "such fantastic little people" one night as we were trying to fill the rare void left by silent phones. It struck me as such a funny and interesting way to describe one's children that it's still ringing in my head. All the supervisors were great, and my team had a good time. It consisted of Peter who handled the foot traffic and two-way radio requests, and then Georgie and me on the phones in back. Georgie is hilarious - her kids are about my age and she looks like this really sweet lady and then she breaks in with something sassy that someone my age might say. She constantly kept me on my toes and was a lot of fun to work with.
Rainraingoa Way
One of the many clever street names created for the festival - and the most appropriate. The camping areas were better organized than they probably seemed to most campers, but there were little dirt roads with street signs. It was especially crucial for emergencies, to get a tow truck or ambulance to exactly the right spot. At the office we had an ellidex of all the street names and some of them are quite clever. My favorites included Longandwinding Road, Helovesmeinhisblokey Way, Ilovea Parade, etc.
The After-Party
Some friends from the festival who were flying back to Sydney from Brisbane were going to go camping for one more night at a different site, but by the end they decided they had had enough with the camping in the rain. Before they could book a hostel, I checked with my housemates and invited them to stay at our house. I got home on New Year's Day at about 11:30pm, slept for ten hours like a rock in my big-soft-comfy-warm-dry bed, and then woke up to get laundry going and greet the guests. So that day we had a party - those three friends, then Alex's brother, brother's girlfriend and their friend. We got fish and chips and beer and took hot showers and sat around talking and laughing. It was a zoo and so much fun. While I was at work yesterday, the guests all trickled off and I came home to a quiet house and had a lovely relaxed evening.
The Coldest Summer Ever
It is still raining here in Brissie. It apparently rained here the entire time I was gone, and hasn't stopped yet. It is also about 50 degrees which feels COLD. Last night I slept in my winter pajama pants, quilt on the bed, window closed, and was quite cozy. It should be cold and rainy for another week or so, then next weekend sunny. Fingers crossed!
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