being in oz

It has been more than a week of being here... Things have been quite hectic to say the least... The great news is that it is raining really hard while I am writing this...

Now lets see what have I been up to? Hmmm let me try and count them all...

Firstly there was Chinese New Year- which gets celebrated in a big way over here... There have been loads of festivities and activities all around the city to welcome in the year of the pig... Guess the live pig in the shop takes the cake for best display ever seen! I went to Darling Harbour last weekend (24 Feb) to watch the dragon boat races! I felt really ashamed as one of the teams was made up of elderly people and they had the strength to paddle the boat! Okay it was not a long course by any standard but still!

Okay had to do the really Aussie thing and hit the beach! Went with a group of friends to Bondi... Saw a few rather shapeless nude sun bathers... The sun was really hot that day and we spent a rather painful time on the beach. Did not hit the water as the mere thot of it was painful enough. Spent less than an hour on the beach and I got a really great tan that is so painful. Lesson 1- never trust the sunblock no matter how thick a layer i have put on. Was forced to buy myself a hat!

Life on the village ie where I am living...
It has been really great so far... I get up early in the morning with a natural alarm clock called the sun! My room faces east and I get the full glory of the morning sun hitting me square on... It will be great in winter but right now it is really warm to say the least. The internet has been an adventure all unto itself... We have not had it every day and when it is down we are all at a lost! We had O week last week and had pancakes, saussage sizzle and games... The nearest shops are about 15-20 minutes walk away and that has been keeping me fit as it is an uphill and dowhill hike though campus to get there... Imagine lugging stuff back! Thus there is a collection of shopping trolleys accumulating around here- not a pretty sight to say the least and it attracts a fine of $200 as it is considered thef. But it hasn't stopped people walking back with them.

Anyway till later... I am off to bed as it is 0045 already and I have another class tomrrow... will try and post the pictures soon when I am able to...