Alas, I have arrived in the Land Down Unda'

How you goin?  A phrase that I hear almost anywhere I go.  I love it here.  It is green, lush, and beautiful.  Especially when the sun is shining.  The first day and a half, it rained almost none stop.  But that was beautiful too! 


The town here in Bathurst is small and quaint.  Almost like something out of 1950's America, as Bill Bryson mentions in A Sunburned Country.  There is a main park and hundreds of small locally owned shops, many that are jewels I am sure!  I will have to venture to them once I have a job and some spending money!  With the small town charm, I was delighted to find a Target!  Though not exactly the same as the Target from home (they don't have picture kiosks!) which I have a seriously difficult time with because I havent been able to figure out how to print off pictures to send back home.  It is also a bit smaller, but still, it will suffice seeing as though it is a Target!  There are lots and lots of wonderful clothing boutiques with fabulous clothes for decent prices - yes, it is something like shopper's heaven.  But on a smaller scale of course.


The Aussies (pronounce Auzzie - or they will get mad) call your typical everday pub a 'Hotel'.  Imagine being the new American in town that is asked out by an Aussie gent (gentleman) to the Hotel on the first date - no that did not happen to me, but should it, I'll refrain from making a joke about how he wants to take me to a hotel haha.  They shorten everything, as I did with gent.  I say school, they say 'uni' (for university).  I say mosquito, they say 'mozzi'.  It is much more efficient when you think about it.  I can't think of any other words at the moment, but I assure you there are lots!


Of course, they drive on the opposite side of the street.  Among other things, I have found it very challenging not to get run over when I am out for a run.  I have to look both ways about 17 times before I am sure there is not a car coming.  And then, I come to a round-a-bout, which makes it even more difficult.  I have had a few days to get used to their accent; and infact, I think I am beginning to pick up on it a little myself!  It is somewhat difficult especially when speaking to native Bathurst-ians (for lack of a better term); as their accents are very heavy.  For instance, I was at the bank the other day to set up a bank account - which by the way are amazing because I earn 4.6% interest on a normal savings account! - and the lady was saying '73'; but I heard 7-2-3.  Draw out the Seventy; and instead put an O at the end of it and that is how she was saying it - "Sevent-O Three"  That doesnt make much sense in writing, but I assure you, it was so confusing! 


I found an Ice Cream shop yesterday - It doesn't quite compare to my favorite, Chillz; or Ecco (for gellato); but it was delicious on a hot day!  It has been around 25 on a daily basis - and by 25 I mean 80 degrees in your terms :)  That is one thing that has also been a challenge - The treadmills are set in Kilometers instead of miles; I have yet to do a time conversion so I know whether I am staying on a good pace for myself.  I try to read the nutrition labels at a grocery store, and I feel like I am reading gibberish as they are all in kilojoules energy wise.  I have to brush up on those conversions also. 


I am meeting with the president of the gymnastics club here in town in Tuesday, and in the mean time have a pool party to go to tomorrow!  Yay for summer time!  haha :)  and I hope to get out to Sydney and to the beach really soon.  Jet lag is starting to go away I think; though I wake up at about 3 in the morning absolutely starving!  (because that would normally be my breakfast time)


I have a phone that I can call internationally with prepaid minutes, though they go quickly.  I can also text but it is expensive for people to text back.  Dang it.  I can chat though too!  and that is free for me and you if you have a gmail account!  Woohoo!  Needless to say, I am anxious to meet some friends and have people to hang out with down here.  I can't wait for school to start!  Lots of love sending to my friends and family back home!  I'll keep you updated on more Aussie things soon <3