G’day mates! Greetings from Down Under. Although, if you flip the map, then technically Australia would be at the top - then what would you call it? The “Up Over” maybe? Aiya what am I rambling on about? I think that maybe my brain isn’t functioning properly due to the overly loud techno/rave music blaring from my Euro neighbors’ apartment across the lawn. Oh the joys of being back in school...
It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for over a week already! Without work or school the time just flies by in one big rainy blur! Well, I can’t complain really, I’ve done and seen a lot in the past week, sun or no sun. And to be fair, the sun finally did make an appearance a couple of days ago and now I’m truly starting to enjoy the end of summer weather.
Earlier in the week I bought this thing called the “See Sydney Card” and basically what it does it get you free (well, prepaid) entry into a lot of the local attractions and fare for (almost) all of the different forms of transportation for 3 days. It cost $225 but I’m pretty sure it was worth it, I went to more than 10 different tourist places over those three days including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower, Taronga Zoo... Just to name a few. Learned a lot of random facts about Sydney and Australia in general recently.
Oh wow, the techno finally stopped! Hallelujah! (It’s now 1:00AM, just in case you were wondering). Oh no wait, false alarm, I guess they were just switching CDs - although I can’t really tell, techno all sounds the same to me :( Rave on rave on (Save Empire).
I’ve been wanting to visit Australia from as far back as I can remember, I’ve just never had the opportunity to come. Now that I’m here... I’m definitely glad this is where I chose to do my Masters. It’s such a laid back place, the people generally seem friendly, it’s really great. (Even though sometimes things are so laid back that it’s frustrating trying to get things done *now*, I guess I have to learn that things that would take a day back home may take a few more here). There’s lots of green. (They were cutting the grass this morning outside of my apartment - I love that smell! I was trying to remember that last time I actually smelled that and I honestly couldn’t remember. Every time I’ve been back home to Canada it’s been winter, and in Japan and China, lets face it - not a lot of grass to cut). There’s lots of wild life... (And even though some of that wild life can kill you - whoever said that shark attacks are rare is a liar. Right after I arrived there were two attacks within 24 hours of each other - one was a surfer at Bondi Beach and one was a Navy diver in Sydney Harbor! They say that usually there are 12 or so attacks a year, but in this year alone there have already been 5!!! My phobia has just been rationalized). So I may be staying out of the waters for a while, I’m still happy I’m here.
I have to admit though, it’s kinda strange being in a “foreign” country where I don’t actually stick out as a foreigner and most of the “luxuries” of home are still available. I feel spoiled haha. I guess I should appreciate it while I have it.
Not everything is the same here though. I have noticed some differences. One obviously being the language. Yes, it’s English, but definitely it’s own type of English. I pride myself on being able to decipher most accents but I should say that I’m having some issues here. I have to ask people to repeat themselves a lot haha. Another thing, and this may be related to the laid-backness is that a lot of people just walk around in their bare feet. Now I’m not just talking about here at the Village, going from one apartment to the other. I’m talking about everywhere. I’ve seen it at least 5 times so far... I’ve seen people walking in bare feet around the Village, yes, but also on campus, and even in the CBD of downtown Sydney. It’s not like they’re poor people who can’t afford shoes, they’re well-dressed, listening to their iPods or what have you. It’s strange. I guess some people just find shoes to be uncomfortable...? Another thing that’s different, well not completely, but just exaggerated here I guess, is how much they love to BBQ. I’ve been here a week and have already been to 4 or so BBQ’s! I’m not complaining, I’m just saying.
Ahh - The techno has finally stopped for real. I think they may have gotten in trouble... Haha, either way, I can feel my brain starting to re-clarify itself :)
So there are still a few more days left until classes start. Well, a weekend at any rate. I don’t have any plans except for going to get a NSW ID card so I don’t have to carry around my Passport everywhere, and also going to get a new phone. I feel lost without being able to use mine here. Not that I have anyone to call here really, but I guess I could make some calls to those outside the country ;) On Monday (not actually the weekend obviously, but still before *my* classes start) there’s some kind of a “Welcome Function” held by my department, I guess it’ll a good chance to meet more people and some profs... I’ve met a few so far actually, fellow students that is, not professors - there’s a surprisingly high number of them living in my Village. By “high number” I mean like 3 others besides myself haha. (But considering there are probably only 25-30 postgrad students living here that I’ve met I’d say that’s a fairly high ratio).
Alright well I think I’ve run out of things to say. For now at least.
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