Weekend Trip

Went down to Melbourne this past weekend and got back last night. Although brief, the trip was just the right length of time. I walked around downtown, rode different types of transit, came up at the casino, shopped, and took in the sights. Saw some pretty cool architecture down there. The flight back laid over in Sydney and I got a birds-eye view of the bridge and opera house. I hope I'll make it back there to get up close and personal!

Galactic Encounter

Because I cannot possibly describe it, I don’t think I’ll even try. But just know, that while I was out camping in a remote village this last weekend, detached from any and all artificial light, I saw the Milky Way. It was surrounded by more intense stars than I’ve witnessed in all my life. I felt so monumentally insignificant–it just swallows you up. It’s beyond words. You’ll have to experience the view yourself it in order to understand what I fail to communicate. 

Strange Habits

Australians don’t use napkins. Ever. Like, never ever. They use their hands to wipe their faces and proceed to wipe their hands on their clothes. I've seen a bunch of times where there is no wiping at all, just food and juices dribbling down chins. On top of this, their personal space bubble is much smaller than what I'm used to in America. Oh, and apparently talking with your mouth full is of no consequence here, even within that intimate bubble. Spit in my food once, shame on me for letting you invade my bubble. Not gonna happen twice. Hence, the reason I like to eat alone.

They drink pretty much everything out of a mug (hot or cold) and they drink hot drinks all day long. Tea. Never sweet tea or iced tea—hot tea. They like to drink what they call Milo in the afternoons. This is basically hot chocolate, but it is less sweet and more chalky tasting. The kids go crazy for it. The temp is 85 degrees and they beg for Milo! Coffee isn’t such a big deal as tea, but it is all instant. Powder to mix in hot water. Ew.

Bread is a staple—though I’m not sure if this is mainly an Indigenous thing. They take two slices of white bread and butter them, then put any-damn-thing between the slices and it’s a go. Yesterday I was served a peanut butter and butter sandwich. There was more butter than peanut butter... I’m still not okay with having eaten that. Another time it was a chip (AKA fries) and butter sandwich—Not as bad as it sounds. Breakfast is pretty normal except that they don’t do oatmeal or cream of wheat or grits. They do porridge. It’s not bad. Reminds me of Goldilocks and the Three Bears every single time. But they will slap some baked beans or spaghetti on bread for breakfast in a heartbeat. Bizarre.