I was so busy yesterday that I didn't have the chance to update my blog -- but here I am now with a super big blog entry to catch up!
Yesterday, I spent the whole day with my 2 German roomates (the french girl left to go to a host family). We went to the Sydney Aquarium where we walked in a underground see-through tunnel. The animals were HUGE!!! There were stingrays, sharks, turtles, and fish. Trust me, these things were humongous. The giant turtle is bigger than a man and they are actually 25% larger than we see them through the protective tunnel due to the curvature of the structure. Yikes.
Then onto the Taronga Zoo via ferry! We passed by the famous Sydney Harbour bridge and the Opera House. Magnificent. The zoo was awesome because we got to get close to the kangaroos and I was able to pet a joey (baby roo)! We also saw the koalas and I learned that they have 2 thumbs (I'm told they are vicious little buggers).
We were so exhausted from our day that we stopped by the grocery store and back on home. I bought groceries for ~$18 which should last me a couple of days. Yay!
Today, I woke up early for my 10am orientation at the IEP (Int'l Exhange Prog) office. I learned about what the office can provide me with in terms of helping me with taxes, resumes, housing, etc. Then I went to the Canadian consulate to register myself - that way, they know I'm in the country in case of emergency.
I discovered another strange thing about crossing the street at large intersections - that you can cross on the diagonal! That is so weird to me...I keep thinking I will get hit. But I just follow the crowd and I know I'll be ok.
Ok, about the free lunch. I was walking around today when I stumbled upon free BBQ at Martin Place, a plaza type area where you can sit on the steps and there's a Christmas tree in the middle. The food was given out by a Christian organization...I guess to promote giving at Christmas time. Now the strange thing is, they did not ask for anything nor were they trying to preach to us!!! They were just happily giving out food and coffee without a word about their faith! The Aussies have the right idea unlike the westerners. Now what did they have? Grilled snags and coffee. Snags are sausages and here it is eaten in a white piece of sliced bread with the snag sitting diagonal on the bread. Then it's topped off with tomato sauce (ketchup). As for coffee, it wasn't any cheap regular coffee either! They had their cappucino machine there and they asked me what kind of coffee I wanted. The woman behind me got a hot chocolate. Wow, I can't believe I got a delicious lunch for free! This is great! :D
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6 comments:
cool, nellie, glad to hear you're settling in well!
Hey Nellie!
Yeah, I had the same experience at the aquarium and the Taronga Zoo. Did the koala's stink up the joint or what? It's the leaves they eat from the eucolyptus tree. They are also the most vicious little creatures around. If you were a cute animal in the Australian outback, wouldn't you need to be vicious to survive?
The free lunch is pretty cool! BONUS!
I love your updates...it makes me want to be there too!
Hil
Go Nellie go! Glad you are enjoying your time there. I love hearing about your adventures.
We still need to figure out our Skype! :)
xxoo Heidi
woot free lunch! Sounds like you are having tons of fun down there. I wish I were there with you instead of pimping myspace pages for people here.
yeah..the free lunch was awesome!
About the koalas, no they didn't stink up the place from what I saw.
That sounds awesome. Those Aussies like their ketchup huh? Yeah on Thanksgiving I brought Suzie to Tompkins Sq Dog Park and there was a big missionary truck handing out prepackaged rolls and some hot slop, it was so dismal and Christian you know?
I am glad you are bonding with your German chickies. I trust you about the turtles, you know large when you see it! Was the IEP place helpful? I am glad you are registered with the Canadian consulate now, it’s a big relief for your worried friends!
BUT ...but... Koalas are so cute! I just want to cuddle with them... they can’t mean and viscous! What about Roos? Are they nice and snuggly?
I miss you.
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