Traveling is really a funny thing because i've just started to realize that I will never be in some of these places ever again. So, I try to really take it all in in the moment because I know I will never be back. I'm not saying this about every place; of course I will return to some places, others I will make a serious effort to visit again, but some you just know you will never see again. And when you recognize that, it's a really weird feeling almost like living in a memory.
Alright, random thought over.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Christmas and New Year's Eve
Sorry it's been a while, but you can blame that on the holidays and numerous "public holidays" over here in Perth. Even after Christmas, they take extra days off because Christmas was on a Sunday and apparently they deserve more days off which leaves me without access to internet since everything is closed. I feel like that was a run-on sentence, sorry. Anyway, hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! Mine was great especially considering how far away from home I am.
On Christmas day I got to see the boat for the first time! The interior still isn’t finished but it should be ready for us to move on in a week or so. It was so exciting to finally see it since I sit at home with the baby all day and everyone from home keeps asking me what the boat is like. Now I have answers!
After we stopped by the boat we had Christmas lunch at the dad’s parents’ house, which was really nice. They even had a couple of presents for me which was an unexpected and really nice surprise. Our next stop for the day was the mom’s parents’ house for Christmas dinner. Basically on Christmas we did a lot of eating. I even had presents waiting for me at the second stop as well so I think cumulatively I had a more profitable Christmas than I would’ve had at home. Sorry mom and dad. Although, mom did send my stocking from home so I had two stockings this year thanks to her and my wonderful bosses. It’s weird to call them “bosses” though since it is more like a family situation.
We ended up coming home earlier than expected from dinner since all the commotion was too much for the baby, but once we got home it was even more presents. And candy. Lots and lots of Christmas candy. The chocolate here is so good, gaining 20 lbs (I don’t know what that is in kilos) is a real threat.
New Years Eve was even more eventful as we spent the day at Perth Cup which is basically the Kentucky Derby equivalent here. We got all dressed up and I even wore a “fastenator” (fascinator?) I don’t know how to spell it, but you google it since your internet connection is arguably faster than mine, wherever and whoever you are. Or just think what Princess Beatrice wore on her head at the royal wedding, but not as intense. Whatever the case, the champagne was popped around 10:30 am so that should give you a clue as to how the rest of the day/night turned out. Another clue- by the end of the races instead of betting a measly $2 on a horse, I was up to $30. I know that’s still pathetic for most of you, but for me that’s like throwing away gold bars. Anyway, we went to the races VIP in a hummer limo so I guess that made me feel like a baller, hence the high roller gambling. (jokes)
After the races, we took the limo to Burswood Casino where the debauchery continued. This is also where the night gets hazy. (Once again, sorry mom and dad) Basically the summarized version is: drink, gamble, drink, gamble, drink, drink, drink, in bed at 10:30.
The surprise ending is that I somehow had no money by the end of the night (not really a surprise since I was throwing money away at the blackjack and roulette tables) and a kind Irishman gave me a $50 note for a cab home. Thank you, Irishman in the Australian casino. Also, thank you Jesus.
*Sidenote: apparently I was close enough to the apartment that I could’ve walked home. Whoops.
On Christmas day I got to see the boat for the first time! The interior still isn’t finished but it should be ready for us to move on in a week or so. It was so exciting to finally see it since I sit at home with the baby all day and everyone from home keeps asking me what the boat is like. Now I have answers!
After we stopped by the boat we had Christmas lunch at the dad’s parents’ house, which was really nice. They even had a couple of presents for me which was an unexpected and really nice surprise. Our next stop for the day was the mom’s parents’ house for Christmas dinner. Basically on Christmas we did a lot of eating. I even had presents waiting for me at the second stop as well so I think cumulatively I had a more profitable Christmas than I would’ve had at home. Sorry mom and dad. Although, mom did send my stocking from home so I had two stockings this year thanks to her and my wonderful bosses. It’s weird to call them “bosses” though since it is more like a family situation.
We ended up coming home earlier than expected from dinner since all the commotion was too much for the baby, but once we got home it was even more presents. And candy. Lots and lots of Christmas candy. The chocolate here is so good, gaining 20 lbs (I don’t know what that is in kilos) is a real threat.
New Years Eve was even more eventful as we spent the day at Perth Cup which is basically the Kentucky Derby equivalent here. We got all dressed up and I even wore a “fastenator” (fascinator?) I don’t know how to spell it, but you google it since your internet connection is arguably faster than mine, wherever and whoever you are. Or just think what Princess Beatrice wore on her head at the royal wedding, but not as intense. Whatever the case, the champagne was popped around 10:30 am so that should give you a clue as to how the rest of the day/night turned out. Another clue- by the end of the races instead of betting a measly $2 on a horse, I was up to $30. I know that’s still pathetic for most of you, but for me that’s like throwing away gold bars. Anyway, we went to the races VIP in a hummer limo so I guess that made me feel like a baller, hence the high roller gambling. (jokes)
After the races, we took the limo to Burswood Casino where the debauchery continued. This is also where the night gets hazy. (Once again, sorry mom and dad) Basically the summarized version is: drink, gamble, drink, gamble, drink, drink, drink, in bed at 10:30.
The surprise ending is that I somehow had no money by the end of the night (not really a surprise since I was throwing money away at the blackjack and roulette tables) and a kind Irishman gave me a $50 note for a cab home. Thank you, Irishman in the Australian casino. Also, thank you Jesus.
*Sidenote: apparently I was close enough to the apartment that I could’ve walked home. Whoops.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
martian gun crosswalk signals
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Rottnest Island
Yesterday I went to a small island called Rottnest off the coast of Fremantle, W.A. for my day off. It's about 10 km long and only about 3 or 4 km wide and it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It was only about an hour and a half long ferry ride from Perth but it was like I was transported to yet another part of the world. Beautiful white sand beaches stretching out to this amazing turquoise water (don't go out too far though- shark bait. not even joking) and you could rent a bike and ride around for hours on these endless paths throughout the island. My favorite part- there are these marsupials that inhabit Rottnest called Quokkas and they are about the size of a raccoon maybe but hop around like kangaroos and look like a cross between an oversized mouse and a teddy bear maybe? I'm not sure, but they are adorable. They would be even more adorable if they didn't have fleas though, which i'm told they do, but apparently they are only found on the island. Nowhere else but they tiny island- how cool is that? The Quokka is actually how the island was named too because in the 17th century a dutch explorer discovered the island and mistook them for rats and called it "Rats Nest Island", or something like that. When I heard that I was skeeved out, but once you go there it's just a completely different experience. I wish I could take everyone I love to that island but it's so unrealistic. maybe i've been spending too much time wandering around on my own lately lol i think i'm starting to think like some crazy seeing-the-world-through-rose-colored-glasses nomad. Either way, if for any reason you find yourself in Western Australia (which you probably won't) you MUST spend a day a Rottnest Island. And you should probably buy a meat pie at the bakery there too. And rent a bike. And check out the pink lake. And.... okay, okay you get the idea.
Yes, please.
I need to hire a photographer to follow me around- it took about seven tries to get this shot
QUOKKA! Not a good picture, but you can get an idea...
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
day 4 in Perth
So today I get a surprise day off since baby's grandparents have taken him for the day. The perk of being in Perth is that both sets of grandparents live close by and will presumably be taking the baby off of my hands here and there. As luck would have it, the weather is shit. So here I am at the local coffee shop again and I might as well tell you about yesterday.
Yesterday evening after the mom got home, I got out of the apartment and went on a run along Swan river, the main body of water in Perth that the city is built around. It's actually really pretty and there were tons of people out running, biking, and having outdoor boot camp-style fitness classes. Anyway, it was really scenic and the sunsets are beautiful here, so at the end of my run I sat on this swing at a playground in front of our apartment and watched a group of yuppies play cricket. They were all drinking and I was kinda watching trying to figure out what the hell was going on and then after about 20 minutes of weird looks, I realized I must have looked like some kind of stalker/sexual predator on the playground so I got up casually and walked around for 5-10 minutes before going up to the apartment. Awkward. Also, I never figured out what the hell cricket is all about.
Side note: just now it took me 5 minutes to figure out how to open the ketchup packet. Then it burst all over my stuff.
Here are some other things I've noticed or have forgotten to write about:
-the first day in the hotel in Sydney (within an hour of being in Australia) I got lost/locked in the stairwell
-there's a weird type of bird here that makes a noise I can only describe as a "human-like cat sound". it freaks me out every time because I like neither cats, nor humans recreating their sounds
-the sun here is INTENSE and you can get burned walking down the street. apparently, there is a hole in the ozone right above Australia
-the crosswalk signals here make really funny space gun sounds when it is time to cross the street. it's really funny and bizarre but I actually think it's a really good idea because even if you have ADD like me and forget why you are standing on the side of the road, it reminds you. and makes you laugh
-there are TONS of flies here. and they get in your face, eyes, mouth constantly. it's gross.
-American TV shows dominate Australian TV. Seriously, for every one Aussie show, they show 35 American TV programs. It would be great except for the fact that they are all a season behind.
obligatory photo of me in front of the Sydney Opera House
Swan River with my apartment building in the distance
this photo doesn't do the sunset justice
That's it for day 4, but it's only 11:30 am here in the future, so the day is young. and I, still a foreigner.
Yesterday evening after the mom got home, I got out of the apartment and went on a run along Swan river, the main body of water in Perth that the city is built around. It's actually really pretty and there were tons of people out running, biking, and having outdoor boot camp-style fitness classes. Anyway, it was really scenic and the sunsets are beautiful here, so at the end of my run I sat on this swing at a playground in front of our apartment and watched a group of yuppies play cricket. They were all drinking and I was kinda watching trying to figure out what the hell was going on and then after about 20 minutes of weird looks, I realized I must have looked like some kind of stalker/sexual predator on the playground so I got up casually and walked around for 5-10 minutes before going up to the apartment. Awkward. Also, I never figured out what the hell cricket is all about.
Side note: just now it took me 5 minutes to figure out how to open the ketchup packet. Then it burst all over my stuff.
Here are some other things I've noticed or have forgotten to write about:
-the first day in the hotel in Sydney (within an hour of being in Australia) I got lost/locked in the stairwell
-there's a weird type of bird here that makes a noise I can only describe as a "human-like cat sound". it freaks me out every time because I like neither cats, nor humans recreating their sounds
-the sun here is INTENSE and you can get burned walking down the street. apparently, there is a hole in the ozone right above Australia
-the crosswalk signals here make really funny space gun sounds when it is time to cross the street. it's really funny and bizarre but I actually think it's a really good idea because even if you have ADD like me and forget why you are standing on the side of the road, it reminds you. and makes you laugh
-there are TONS of flies here. and they get in your face, eyes, mouth constantly. it's gross.
-American TV shows dominate Australian TV. Seriously, for every one Aussie show, they show 35 American TV programs. It would be great except for the fact that they are all a season behind.
obligatory photo of me in front of the Sydney Opera House
Swan River with my apartment building in the distance
this photo doesn't do the sunset justice
That's it for day 4, but it's only 11:30 am here in the future, so the day is young. and I, still a foreigner.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
MIA>LAX>SYD>PERTH
Okay so I can't remember the acronym for Perth, but basically that was my itinerary for the past 5 days. Surprisingly, the flight to Sydney wasn't as horrible as I imagined it to be, even if it was the longest flight i've ever been on by seven hours. The double decker HUGE plane was slightly terrifying at first, but the Xanax reserve remained in my bag, unopened. I'm so proud. Anyway, Sydney was a BLAST. Such a great weekend with great people who played wonderful hosts to my whirlwind 48 hours in the city. I didn't want to leave but I didn't really have a say in the matter. Some highlights:
-eating kangaroo at an outdoor restaurant in Darling Harbor with fireworks going off right in front of us (it was like a dream)
-laying out a coogee beach
-the view from my hotel, Quay West, overlooking the Sydney bridge and opera house
-going out the first night at Oxford Art Bar (or something along those lines)
-cuddle puddle with new friends while skyping one C.L. (I won't use names on here, it IS the internet after all)
-botanical gardens behind the opera house
things that are lame:
-everything is SO EXPENSIVE
-it bears repeating, the cheapest bottle of vodka was THIRTY SIX DOLLARS
-weird "abbrevs" like "arvo" (= afternoon?), "ta" (= thank you?)
-bitchy Columbian chick at a hotel party being quite rude for no reason
-the HORRIBLE service at certain restaurants (if only they worked for tips...)
-THE FACT THAT I HAD TO LEAVE
Now I am in Perth and it doesn't hold a torch to Sydney. Mostly I am salty because I have no internet and even when I do, it's shotty at best. Although on the upside, while sitting at this coffee shop in order to get the internet, I had the nice surprise of finding out that iced coffee equals a coffee milkshake. Score.
The internet timer says I have two more minutes left though, so I guess it's time to leave. Greetings from the future! (get it? im a day ahead?)
-eating kangaroo at an outdoor restaurant in Darling Harbor with fireworks going off right in front of us (it was like a dream)
-laying out a coogee beach
-the view from my hotel, Quay West, overlooking the Sydney bridge and opera house
-going out the first night at Oxford Art Bar (or something along those lines)
-cuddle puddle with new friends while skyping one C.L. (I won't use names on here, it IS the internet after all)
-botanical gardens behind the opera house
things that are lame:
-everything is SO EXPENSIVE
-it bears repeating, the cheapest bottle of vodka was THIRTY SIX DOLLARS
-weird "abbrevs" like "arvo" (= afternoon?), "ta" (= thank you?)
-bitchy Columbian chick at a hotel party being quite rude for no reason
-the HORRIBLE service at certain restaurants (if only they worked for tips...)
-THE FACT THAT I HAD TO LEAVE
Now I am in Perth and it doesn't hold a torch to Sydney. Mostly I am salty because I have no internet and even when I do, it's shotty at best. Although on the upside, while sitting at this coffee shop in order to get the internet, I had the nice surprise of finding out that iced coffee equals a coffee milkshake. Score.
The internet timer says I have two more minutes left though, so I guess it's time to leave. Greetings from the future! (get it? im a day ahead?)
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