Tip: Please knock on wood the next time you say “Wow things are going really smoothly.” Everything about my trip to Australia was going according to the itinerary until LAX. Then the problems began…
The following events occurred, but were not limited to: Getting to a terminal on the other side of the airport. Going through security again. Finally getting on the plane and sitting there for two and a half hours, until they decided the fuel leak wasn’t going to be fix that night (Yes, I realize that we all could have been the next real life cast of Lost). Getting off the plane. Standing in line for a good couple of hours waiting to be taken to our hotel for a night. Free breakfast (which isn’t a problem at all).Waiting in line to renew our boarding passes. Going through security again. Take off an hour later than promised. Sixteen hours in the air. Finally land. Customs pulled me aside. Bag lost.
On the flip side, the unexpected delay gave us the chance to meet some fellow study abroad students from New Jersey and Tennessee.
Of course the lost bag was the one with my sheets in them, so I improvised—beach towel for the blanket and clothes for a pillow.
A nightmare-ish adventure…but I fell asleep knowing I was safely in Oz!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Newsflash: Dinosaurs are not extinct. They are very much alive and kicking here in Australia. I woke up at 6 a.m. to the sounds of a pterodactyl outside my room.
When I’m used to 6 degree weather, 88 is a shock to the system. Spent the day tooling around the uni , meeting heaps of mates and shopping for the necessities. Oh, and showering 2348397437648726 times. And as an added bonus, they found my missing luggage!
There are some things I’ll need to get used to around here…like crossing the street. I have to look right then left. Goal: Not to get hit by a car. And I have to remember that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. I literally thought a small child was driving a vehicle today.
Saturday-Monday, February 12,13,14, 2011
I don’t know if it was excitement or not, but I was up at 6 a.m. again. I was headed for my first trip down the South coast. A group of 30-some international students from all over the world, including Mexico, Germany, Denmark, UK, and of course the US. We all piled onto a small bus with our Australian tour guide, Ben, and our journey began. After about an hour out of the city we stopped for a breathtaking view of Wollongong, stopped for some pies in the quaint town of Berry, and went on a bush walk with the Jervis Bay Aborigines. We learned how to throw a boomerang, what plants can be used as hairbrushes, and how to weave bracelets. The sights have been unbelievable, and naturally, my camera has been very active. The pictures don’t do this place justice.
Our group stayed at the Bay of Plenty Lodges, with it’s own little cove just off of Jervis Bay. We made food, took long walks on the beach, snapped a ton of pictures, and of course, hung out with the kangaroos!
Disclaimer: I have been telling people that I was just boxing a roo, but you shouldn’t believe everything you are told…Another hint: Don’t laugh and hit your head on your plastic cup…because your head will split open.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t the greatest the first two days, but our group made the best of it. The next day we went on a dolphin watch cruise and to Hyams beach. Despite the unseasonably overcast and chilly weather (lower 70s…rough), I jumped in, enjoying my first official swim in the Pacific Ocean. We visited Laddie, a jolly Aborigine, who personalized a tiny boomerang for me. The last day, the sun came out, and we revisited the pristine waters of Hyams beach. After an hour or so we hopped on the bus, and headed back up the coast. Our last stop was Kiama, home of the blowhole. The blowhole was erupting, but that was the least exciting part of the area. The cliffs and beautiful blue waters that surround them were immaculate. Again, my camera was super busy.
As soon as I got back I headed to orientation at the Village, where I met my first Australian friend, Gaby! Free food and a giant party ensued.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
My first trip into Sydney! Our tour guides name was Frat, and he took us around the city to see botanical gardens, Mrs. Macquarie's chair, views of the Coat Hanger and Opera house, and the Gap. We finished off our tour with a free drink on Darling Harbor at the Cargo Bar.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Orientation for the Uni. It was information overload, but I got my schedule. No Tuesday or Friday classes!
At night, Dunmore Lang, a “college”/ dorm hosted a party at The Ranch. It was a great night of dancing spent with friends!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Finally slept in! In the afternoon, a group of us headed to the city. The evening was spent on a free harbor cruise. The triple-deck boat picked us up at the Opera House, and spent three hours tooling the harbor waters. The sunset and city lights were spectacular. We also received free food and another night of dancing.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Got a lot of stuff done today: took my student ID photo, and straightened out a scheduling blip. At night a group of us headed downtown for a bar crawl. I have been a dancing machine; with this night being the fourth night in a row where I went dancing. The adventure back was eventful, since none of us are experts with the public transportation yet.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
A group of us got up early to head to the beach. Three hours later, at noon, we finally reached our destination. The trains were under maintenance, and after a million connections, we finally figured out how to get to famous Bondi Beach. The journey was well worth it, as the busting beach came into view. The sun was shining, and there was a slight warm breeze—beach weather perfection. The water was refreshing, especially after hitting the volleyball around.
My mom would have been proud of how often I applied sunscreen, but apparently SPF 30 is no match for the hot Australian sun (and the almost non-existent O-zone). That is right…my fair skin is burnt. Surprise, surprise. I have currently taken three cold showers in the past hour, just because it feels so good to sit in from of the fan afterward! I think I’ll have to resort to sun block next time…
Having heaps of fun…G’dayyy!
