As many of you may know, I’ve been visiting my girlfriend in Melbourne since December 10. Since then Jacqui and I have been on many adventures. Now that the holidays are over however, she’s back doing her locum social work. Meanwhile, I am working on my kids show, writing scripts and organizing my life so I will be prepared when I return to Los Angeles on January 17.
I’ve made several observations on the Australian lifestyle and here are a few of my thoughts:
Koalas and Kangaroos aren’t everywhere like I pictured. I do see yellow warning signs with kangaroos on them like I would deer signs in the northwest. I’m still optimistic. The only wild animals I’ve seen have been at the wildlife preserve.
Every power outlet (powerpoint in Oz speak) has its own power switch which indicates a painted orange dot when it is on. My guess is that this is to prevent an electric shock from the higher than US voltage coming from the walls. Another benefit is that this would solve the ‘phantom power’ issue of charging cables. Quite handy I think.
There are LOTS of spiders. There are several poisonous spiders in Australia. So far I’ve encountered a Huntsman that Jac has smashed with her shoe. A White-tail (who’s bite apparently often results in amputating an arm or leg as it turns purple) and a Red-back. It’s more the constant presense of webs everywhere that bothers me, however. I see them everywhere. I run into them often. Not so fun.
Jac made a joke in the US about many of the laws and restrictions we have. I replied by saying something about how Australia is just more lawless. I experienced something similar in Spain in 2010, and here it manifests differently. There are cars parked all over the place. A dangerous traffic maneuver called a hook-turn exists for those willing to try (my girlfriend being one of those). Among other things. Not that I’m complaining though. The US is too cautious due to excessive litigation and fear of liability.
Food and clothing here is quite expensive. This is justified I suppose by the higher minimum wage ($18 according to Jacqui). A typical dinner is $30-40 and that is WITH a buy-one-get-one-free coupon or ‘voucher’.
The language varies unexpectedly. Jacqui and I often keep ourselves amused at each other’s accents. As she predicted I am often needing to be corrected in my Aussie-lingo. It isn’t a restroom, but a toilet. It isn’t called candy but ‘lollies’. She doesn’t carry a purse, but a ‘handbag’. I am constantly forgetting these words and I probably won’t get it until I’m about to leave back to the US. .. And then all my friends will comment on my interesting vocab. Then there is the constant ‘reckon’ usage. This and other such words are often used. I’ve heard them before, but usually in a historic or rural setting. Then there is the difference in pronouncing words and companies. They pronounce Nissan as niss-anne where us says niece-on.
Again I’m not complaining about these differences, merely commenting on observations. I find it all such a delight and I’m glad I still have about two weeks left to enjoy everything some more.
I’m very optimistic about my relationship with Jacqui. So I know I will visit again and again.
Oh, and the area of Melbourne (or Sydney) isn’t like the cartoon versions I have constructed in my head. I pictured everything tan and dusty and everyone talking like Crocodile Dundee. Jac has assured me such places exist in a different state than hers (she lives in Victoria). People who speak that way are called ‘auckers’ (sp?). Perhaps I’ll venture to those areas the next time I visit. 🙂