The Old Wolf Express - Random impressions of Australia

[theoldwolf]

Ow.

Ran out last night to get the Australian equivalent of Solarcaine and Tylenol, by the grace of which I was able to sleep well last night, but I'm sore today.

This is my second trip to the merry old land of Oz, but the first one in which I've really been able to experience the country. This is just a few thoughts in no particular order that occurred to me this morning.

• The people are friendly to a fault.
  
• Driving on the left is weird, no matter how you look at it. 45 years of driving has trained my subconscious to know where the steering wheel should be with reference to the left edge of the road, which means if I lose focus for even a split second I'm either straddling the lane or off into the ditch. Fortunately, both I and the car are still in one piece. It's getting easier.
  
• It's odd that roundabouts, which were designed to create an orderly flow of traffic, are being removed at many intersections. (I know, because the GPS with 2006-based maps gives me instructions for roundabouts that are no longer there.) It may be due to an increase in population which necessitates standard semaphore-based control. Perhaps a roundabout doesn't work well when there are too many people trying to get through at once.
  
• Things can be expensive here. A pastry that would be a buck in Smith's at home costs around $3.00 at a kiosk in the mall. A can of the Australian version of Tinactin was $14.00. In addition to a higher base pay here, much of what is sold must be imported, which affects prices. Candy is expensive - they must have to bring in all their sugar.
  
• It's humid, at least here on the East side. Like average 65% humidity. Australia is coal-fired, homes heated where necessary by means other than forced air. Hence central air is a rarity. It costs about $3,000 to put in a single wall-mounted cooling unit that would handle one average-sized room. I'm always feeling like I've had a swim in a molasses pool.
  
• North NSW and South Queensland has some of the most beautiful, fertile, lush and abundant land I've ever seen over such a large area.
  
• I think the whip bird has the most delightful call of any bird in the world.
  
• Pastry shops that sell meat and veggie pies are a gift from Heaven.
  
• I could spend years exploring this country.
  

More as I think of it.

Comments

[thefoxaroo.livejournal.com]

ccdesan said:"The people are friendly to a fault",

Depends what part of Australia you're standing in.

ccdesan said:"Things can be expensive here",

He's learning folks... He'll be almost house trained by the time he's due to fly out. :P

ccdesan said:"Candy is expensive - they must have to bring in all their sugar.",

Actually agricultural products are one of the few things we rarely import. I know; the main sugar corporation in this country is one of my company's clients.

The actual MANUFACTURING in this country is where the expense comes from. With all the stringent high quality standards, union enforced regulations and inadequate infrastructure in this country there's very little we can produce here to compete with the cheap sweat-shop junk imported from our "friendly neighbours." I know you enjoy JibJab, so you wont mind seeing this again. XD http://sendables.jibjab.com/originals/big_box_mart - applies to Australia just the same as the USA.

ccdesan said:"It's humid, at least here on the East side. Like average 65% humidity. Australia is coal-fired, homes heated where necessary by means other than forced air. Hence central air is a rarity. It costs about $3,000 to put in a single wall-mounted cooling unit that would handle one average-sized room. I'm always feeling like I've had a swim in a molasses pool.",

I did warn him. Didn't I warn him? But no, mnn nnn, don't listen to Stephan! :P

(Wink!) ;)

ccdesan said:"I think the whip bird has the most delightful call of any bird in the world.",

It certainly is nice. :) Especially when you hear the female answer the male's call. You hear the long drawn out call of the male, then immediately (a distance away) the two high pitched notes of the female. I wish I were able to compare it with other bird calls.

ccdesan said:"Pastry shops that sell meat and veggie pies are a gift from Heaven.",

Well you're 50% right :P

ccdesan said:"I could spend years exploring this country.",

Let me know when you're ready to do Jenolean Caves and or the snowfields and you'll have a foxaroo hopping alongsid the Old Wolf. ;)