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Today was a fantastic day.After a long night of sleep to adjust to the local time, I woke up at 9 to get ready for our orientation at 10.Fortunately about an hour into sleep my two roommates came home and I met them.I was so glad to actually not feel alone!The girl I share a room with is 21 and her name is Alysson, she is from San Diego.The other is, I believe, 21 as well; her name is Jennifer and she is from somewhere near Vancouver, B.C.We all had orientation at the same time and received a warm welcome from the international advisors here at Macquarie.We learned a few small things about the culture and got to watch 5 Americans and 1 (guy?) from the UK compete to choke down Vegemite spread on a piece of white bread.All five Americans were the random volunteers and, in order to get more diversity, they had to ask for someone from a different country to volunteer as well.We all got free tote bags and "Diaries" - which are just planners.Also, the program coordinator made it clear that, if we hadn't already, we better call our mothers right away.We had a two hour lunch break, during which we were served 6 inch subs from Subway and soda in 600mL sizes.Also, people were asking if we wanted any "lollies" which were just any candy in particular, I guess.We sunbathed a bit during break and met a girl from Iceland, another from Hong Kong, and one from a country next to Croatia, but I forget which one.While sunbathing and chatting, I saw a flock of wild cockatoos flying by, and apparently they are the birds that squawk and make awful noises.It's so crazy to see them in the wild, roosting on balconies and in the tropical trees.I thought they were from Africa, but Jennifer said they're probably in a lot of places south of the equator (I've only been here for two days so remembering that I'm in a different hemisphere takes an effort!).We went back to our orientation and then split up into groups that explained how we can see what classes we are registered in and how we can change them.We were let out right at 4pm and everyone was given a ticket for a Sydney Harbor cruise.So my roomies and I headed home to get ready.The theme was Olympic wear, but none of us had any sweet athletic gear, so we just dressed up nice since we figured we'd go to the bars after.At 5 we left to board the bus and on our way we noticed people in athletic gear doing the same.One guy was an Olympic swimmer with a towel, a swim cap, and a speedo on… I'm pretty sure he stayed that bare all night!On the bus, which cost $4.80 by the way, we overheard some loud and abnoxious American girls discussing how much they'd spent on their outfits.One guy said he dropped $300 on his, and had brand new cleats.What is the point in that??? My parents will be glad to know I didn't spend a dime… and I never felt uncomfortable in normal clothes and not dressed up - I was actually relieved to not look foolish!I know "where is the fun in that", right?But where's the fun in being poor two weeks into your trip??We got to the harbor and hour early so the three of us each enjoyed a beer from the tap in a bar right under the opera house.It was so classy and unbelievable.The whole night I kept reminding myself that I am living my dream, I am finally down under and seeing the sights I've always wanted to!After our drinks, we headed to our boat which was docking on the east side of the Opera House.We boarded and took in the sights.I bumped into a couple people that I'd met on my first day here and met some new ones as well.There were two floors on the boat, each with a small bar (not free, unfortunately), and a top deck, where we could see everything.It was cheaper to buy the bottles of wine instead of 8oz glasses for $5, so we all pitched in for a total of two for the night, it was grand.Mid trip we were served pretty lame pizza, but it was food and it was free!We basically just putted around the harbor for three hours, and I took a good amount of pictures, but I'll be down there again soon to take more.At 10 we docked again, but more west of the Opera house at a bar called Cargo.There they played tons of American music and there was one in particular that you would never hear in a club back home… I just don't remember what it was… If I hear it again, I won't forget it.People were hilarious and the dancing was fun.I had one Aussie ask me where Oregon was, and then said "isn't that the place where D.B. Cooper stashed millions of dollars after jumping out of a plane??"And I said "I saw a movie with some stuff about that, but I don't think it's true."And then he asked Jennifer if everyone in B.C. smokes pot… it was hilarious.He was an Asian Aussie, which there seem to be a lot of.In fact, I've met more Asian Aussies than the stereotypical buff, tan, all around hotties with surfer bodies.It's cool though, I'm sure there out there, but I really just want to continue taking in this culture before I forget any of it!!Right before midnight we all decided to head out, the three of us decided a cab would be more fun since the doorman at the bar said it would only be about $25.Needless to say it was $45 since the fare I think was $8/km plus a $3 night ride fee.We'll definitely just take the bus next time!
That was it for our amazing night… tune in for further events!!
Heather
I've just discovered that if I go to google.com, It says google Australia, how bomb is that??
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