I'm down under!
So, I've been in Sydney for a little over a week now, but wanted to update on all that's happened.
After a sixteen hour flight that felt much shorter than I had expected, we took a bus ride through pouring rain to our orientation at a beach resort in Noosa. There were free range kangaroos in Noosa that hopped up to your door and stared at you menacingly when you got too close to them and their babies (in pouch!). I tried my hand at surfing and although I did stand a couple of times, I wouldn’t say that it will be my sport of choice. The water is warm and beautiful and so far, Kevin, Dustin, and I have avoided the stingers. We also spent a day on Fraser Island-the world’s largest sand island. Fraser is home to white sands, blue sparkling water, and Lake McKenzie-The Lonely World Traveler Guide’s 7th best place to swim in the world. We also took a walk through a rainforest. Back at the Noosa resort, we enjoyed a nature presentation (python, freshy croc, and marsupials). There was one edgy moment when the python got out of his box when the presenter was holding a bird, but luckily, there weren’t any deaths. We also saw an aboriginal dance presentation, which was beautiful. Personally, I’m crushed though because if I ever try to play the didgeridoo, the ancestors will take away my ability to have children. I have to respect their culture though.
We arrived in Sydney on Thursday. Dustin, Kevin, and I are sharing a really modern-looking 5 person flat in the middle of the city. We each have a single within the apartment that Colby would probably about the size of a large Colby double. One of our other room mates, Hank, has already arrived because he is an American transfer student, but we'll probably have to wait about a week to meet the Australian girl who is also supposed to join us. We live in a hip neighborhood with a bunch of great shops, bars, and Thai restaurants. I bought a fantastic halter dress and last night I enjoyed the best curry I've ever eaten. We've also attended the gay mardi gras fair and Trop Fest, the largest outdoor short film festival. It was in the Royal Botanic Gardens, which plays host to a broad range of beautiful and strange plants and creatures and a whole lot of huge fruit bats. On our way to the gardens, we walked past the Sydney Opera House, which is even more beautiful in real life because it has an interesting tile pattern on it that doesn't come out in pictures.
We haven't done as much sight seeing as I would like because it is just so hot and humid here! After walking around for only an hour, all you want to do is strip and shower. Luckily it cools down a great deal at night for our King Street bar excursions. We've been cooking a lot too, which has been fun. I mastered my grandmother's recipe for pork chops. I really wanted to make it because when I went to buy postcards, it was the first time I went on a trip and didn't buy one for her. Also, when I was getting on the plane the chain of the heart necklace that she gave me broke (her last present) and that really threw me. But being able to make a meal that she cooked for me so many times is reassuring. It's nice to know that much of her is still with me.
We went to Bondi Beach two days ago and we're planning on going to Manly (more of a surf beach) tomorrow. The water is beautiful, clear, and cool, but it's so easy to burn. I easily put on sunscreen five times in two hours and still got a little red. Luckily though, nothing painful. I burn so easily and I'd rather not look like a tomato.
It's been difficult, to some extent, to make friends because many of the people on our program just aren't that intelligent. We have a very small group with whom we spend our time, but I must say that I am looking forward to more Aussies arriving. We met a few last night who have been friends with Colby students in the past and who are tight with Hank, so hopefully that will help. It's especially strange because none of our friends are girls and I must admit that at times I've been feeling testosteroned out.
It's taken forever to get internet, but finally we do and it's nice to be connected to the real world again! I even have AIM and Skype (which doesn't work on my room mates' computers. If you’d like to send me something by real mail (please do!) my address is below. Hope to hear from you all soon!
Julie Bero
Sydney University Village
Locked Bag M161
Camperdown, NSW 2050
AUSTRALIA
As always, surprising things happen in new environments and there's always a new hurdle to jump. I guess I'll just have to wait and see where this all takes me.
After a sixteen hour flight that felt much shorter than I had expected, we took a bus ride through pouring rain to our orientation at a beach resort in Noosa. There were free range kangaroos in Noosa that hopped up to your door and stared at you menacingly when you got too close to them and their babies (in pouch!). I tried my hand at surfing and although I did stand a couple of times, I wouldn’t say that it will be my sport of choice. The water is warm and beautiful and so far, Kevin, Dustin, and I have avoided the stingers. We also spent a day on Fraser Island-the world’s largest sand island. Fraser is home to white sands, blue sparkling water, and Lake McKenzie-The Lonely World Traveler Guide’s 7th best place to swim in the world. We also took a walk through a rainforest. Back at the Noosa resort, we enjoyed a nature presentation (python, freshy croc, and marsupials). There was one edgy moment when the python got out of his box when the presenter was holding a bird, but luckily, there weren’t any deaths. We also saw an aboriginal dance presentation, which was beautiful. Personally, I’m crushed though because if I ever try to play the didgeridoo, the ancestors will take away my ability to have children. I have to respect their culture though.
We arrived in Sydney on Thursday. Dustin, Kevin, and I are sharing a really modern-looking 5 person flat in the middle of the city. We each have a single within the apartment that Colby would probably about the size of a large Colby double. One of our other room mates, Hank, has already arrived because he is an American transfer student, but we'll probably have to wait about a week to meet the Australian girl who is also supposed to join us. We live in a hip neighborhood with a bunch of great shops, bars, and Thai restaurants. I bought a fantastic halter dress and last night I enjoyed the best curry I've ever eaten. We've also attended the gay mardi gras fair and Trop Fest, the largest outdoor short film festival. It was in the Royal Botanic Gardens, which plays host to a broad range of beautiful and strange plants and creatures and a whole lot of huge fruit bats. On our way to the gardens, we walked past the Sydney Opera House, which is even more beautiful in real life because it has an interesting tile pattern on it that doesn't come out in pictures.
We haven't done as much sight seeing as I would like because it is just so hot and humid here! After walking around for only an hour, all you want to do is strip and shower. Luckily it cools down a great deal at night for our King Street bar excursions. We've been cooking a lot too, which has been fun. I mastered my grandmother's recipe for pork chops. I really wanted to make it because when I went to buy postcards, it was the first time I went on a trip and didn't buy one for her. Also, when I was getting on the plane the chain of the heart necklace that she gave me broke (her last present) and that really threw me. But being able to make a meal that she cooked for me so many times is reassuring. It's nice to know that much of her is still with me.
We went to Bondi Beach two days ago and we're planning on going to Manly (more of a surf beach) tomorrow. The water is beautiful, clear, and cool, but it's so easy to burn. I easily put on sunscreen five times in two hours and still got a little red. Luckily though, nothing painful. I burn so easily and I'd rather not look like a tomato.
It's been difficult, to some extent, to make friends because many of the people on our program just aren't that intelligent. We have a very small group with whom we spend our time, but I must say that I am looking forward to more Aussies arriving. We met a few last night who have been friends with Colby students in the past and who are tight with Hank, so hopefully that will help. It's especially strange because none of our friends are girls and I must admit that at times I've been feeling testosteroned out.
It's taken forever to get internet, but finally we do and it's nice to be connected to the real world again! I even have AIM and Skype (which doesn't work on my room mates' computers. If you’d like to send me something by real mail (please do!) my address is below. Hope to hear from you all soon!
Julie Bero
Sydney University Village
Locked Bag M161
Camperdown, NSW 2050
AUSTRALIA
As always, surprising things happen in new environments and there's always a new hurdle to jump. I guess I'll just have to wait and see where this all takes me.