Sunnies, Footies, and all Other things Great

"Australia is number one, America is number 2!"
-Me, after a few Bulmer's at the Ivanhoe bar


Don't get me wrong, I didn't come here to drink nor have I even been drunk since I have arrived in Australia, but the freedom is new and I immediately realized drinking is just part of the culture. It's also amazing to see how proud Australians are of their sports teams (more specific, rugby). The rugby world cup is well in progress and the union league is also of popular demand. On Sunday, the local Manly Sea Eagles played the New Zealand Warriors and I can honestly say I've never seen so many people excited for one game. Everyone in this city wearing Manly maroon and white, flags on cars and banners waving downtown, store employees wearing Sea Eagle shirts....it was all pretty exciting, even for someone who knows very little about rugby. The night of the game, ever bar/restaurant was packed, an enormous screen was set up in a town square, and even the church was crowded where people could see the game. Basically any public gathering place became a place of worship for the Manly Sea Eagles. All in all, it was really fun to see the people of Manly be so supportive of their team and the energy level high. I'm pleased to say the Sea Eagles won and I have a new found respect for the game of rugby.


I speak the English language but here, it is somewhat difficult to understand what the Australians are talking about with their constant abbreviated words. Today in class, my professor talked about "pokie laws," which took me a good ten minutes to realize it meant poker/gambling. In fact, I will share with you a few terms of the Aussie language...


Sunnies-sunglasses
Footies-soccer/rugby game
Meusli=granola
Rice Bubbles=rice krispies
Hungry Jacks=Burger King
ankle biters-mosquitoes 
etc


I would also like to share the fact that one of the more rewarding things about traveling is talking to the random people I encounter on the street, in restaurants/bars and along the beach. Whether they are local or from a foreign country, I seem to learn just within 5 minutes that we have something in common. It's obvious that there is a bit of curiosity inside of everyone because of the questions asked between two strangers. Even just a small encounter with someone new after a hard day can remind me why I chose to live 12,000 miles away.