Tuesday, February 27, 2007
A Few Weeks In Oz
For some reason, most of the computers I use in New Zealand and Australia will not let me log on to update my weblog. So, my apologies for the very few updates you're getting.I arrived in Sydney on Thursday last week. I waited in a ridiculously long line to declare some beef jerkey (it made it through New Zealand customs so I figured it wouldn't be a problem in Oz), only to have some guy rip it out of my hands and chuck it on the ground as I got to the front of the line. I could've tossed it in the garbage can before wasting all that time in line. Anna, the first Aussie I was to visit, asked me if it would be possible for me to take the train to a city near where she lived so we wouldn't have to sit in traffic. No problem. Hopped the train, and arrived in Campbelltown earlier than Anna expected. They were only two minutes away when I called them.
We have been spending the last 5 days catching up on the last two and a half years, visiting her family at Mundrakoona, lounging around at her new place Tarlo Cottage near Burrawang, and celebrating her new job at a tree nursery down the road. Her family was invited to spend Saturday on a sailboat in Sydney Harbor, and since her brothers couldn't make it, I got to go along with! The people who owned the sailboat had asked Anna's family if they could use a logo from one of their wine labels, Artemis, because the boat was named Artemis after the guy's wife. So as a treat to the family, they were invited to sail about for the day. I was so lucky to get to go along!
My Aussie knowledge is improving greatly. I've learned quite a few new words and phrases, and my goal to learn the rules of cricket is slowly being reached. Yesterday, Anna took me to the Bradman Museum in Bowral. The museum includes history on the game of cricket, and highlights the life of Sir Don Bradman, the greatest batsmen of all time.
Only two more days lounging here in Burrawang, and we've got a list of things to do. Movie night tonight watching an Aussie comedy classic, The Castle. Tomorrow we're having dinner at the local pub as a send-off of sorts.
Thursday I will arrive in Melbourne and meet up with Mark, my traveling buddy for the month of April. We'll be surfing at the beachhouse in Anglesea and studying maps of Azerbaijan and making all kinds of crazy travel plans for the future (even the most impossible of plans... we like to daydream).
I'll be home a week from today!! Sorry no photos to include as I can't seem to find the USB port on this laptop.
Missing those Ben Bonnet hugs! How's the Ice? Are you guys just holding it together or living it up? Can't wait to hear from you!
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The winter is less than a week old and so far it frickin' kicks ass. I am really happy with the group of people that we have down here. I am getting all moved into my own room and settling in for what should be one of the best winters ever. Virtual hug.