Half way across the world

Arrived and was feeling good except for the simple fact that I was so congested that I am deaf in both ears. I cannot hear myself and everyone keeps saying “eh” when I talk to them so I have to repeat myself. I am not sure if it is because I am speaking softly or if my accent sounds like a foreign language. Either way…communication is already an issue.

Some immediate observations:
• Toilets flush like a raging waterfall and cannot tell the direction in which it flows. I have done several tests and the results are consistent as listed above.
• Australians don’t use dryers for their clothes. My underwear will be streaming along the backyard of Jan Cuke’s or it looks like I am never going to wash anything or will be buying replacements.
• High heels are welcome if not mandatory in the airport.
• Look right prior to crossing the street if you want to remain alive.
• You can sit in the front seat of the cab which is like being the driver in the US.
• Australians love to go on strike and verbally confront issues if they hate them. I love that.
• Vegemite is alive and well. When I arrived Jan had the mitey toast. So perfect.

Meet Jan Cuke, my new host for the next 3 months.

Jan is amazing and was so great when I first arrived. She drove me around Rozelle and then we went to an outdoor market to buy fresh food, and then I walked a dog! Yes, that’s right…my first time walking a dog named Joyce. Jan’s dog is named Bellla. You can see her below. 

 Jan hangs out with her neighbor Jane all the time and they are besties that just walk in and out of each other’s homes taking their dogs, dropping them off, etc. We walked into Jane’s house and Jane was yelling down the stairs to us and we had no clue why she wasn’t coming down. Turns out she was in the shower. She just kept yelling down to us and she was laughing hysterically. I still haven’t formally met Jane but I cannot wait.

My first supper…pasta of course with my fresh veggies that I bought from the outdoor market about a block away from me that is open on Saturdays. Jan has a herb garden out in her back yard. I am abusing the basil putting it in my dinner and my water. I am pretending that I am at a spa. I am trying to force myself to stay awake until 7 pm to fight the jet lag. I have to say that I am feeling awake and the fact that I am a night owl may be working to my advantage. I ate in silence. I cannot tell you how long it has been that I have:

a) Been alone
b) Been alone and cooked for myself
c) Been alone, cooked for myself, and had no one to call or vice versa

Silence is not all that bad. Especially when you are deaf in both ears and no one can understand you as it is. I look at the Sydney Morning Herald which is dubbed the “newspaper of the year” and it had the most sick and twisted headline that I have ever seen. Rape of a woman in skinny jeans ‘not possible’ The article proceeded to explain that in 3 countries (Australia, Italy, and Korea). Korea overturned a conviction of a 7 year prison sentence due to skinny jeans. Italy said that skinny jeans cannot be mistaken for a chastity belt. The article did not state whether or not the 24 yr old Australian man was convicted or not. Are you kidding me? What if a girl was wearing nylons? Tights? Leggings, Unitard? I am sorry for the heavy topic but I could not believe my eyes.

Even though I am so far away physically it really does not feel like another world. It reminds me much of San Francisco if I had to compare it to another place. It is hilly, on the water, and very eclectic. I will send pics but I am still a bit delusional. PS Someone is using a chainsaw out of my window that is not annoying at all. ;)

Sorry this is so long. It is my first time.