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Garmachi · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:04 am Post subject:

Alas, any hope I have of seeing the stars while here is futile. Not only are the city lights far too bright for any actual observing, the incredibly tall skyscapers kinda get in the way. I think I saw Mars last night, but I'm not sure.

NOT THAT I MIND!!!

I'm having such an amazing time here! This city is cram packed with great resaurants, friendly people, trees, and a vibrant energy which makes it feel like you're constantly at your county fair. Despite there being nearly 4 million souls here, it feels more like a town than a city. The sidwalks and streets are so wide that I never feel crowded, even while walking to or from the office during rush hour. I don't even feel right calling it that, since the phrase conjures images of suit clad bodies packed shoulder to shoulder shoving their way through smog and traffic. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone smiles; I'm certain that having plenty of personal space fuels that. That and the absolutely perfect weather. It's just a tad on the hot side, but the breeze coming from the ocean (and prior to that, almost certainly ANTARCTICA...) really offsets the heat nicely. It's like someone found a way to build a city with permanent outdoor air conditioning.

A funny thing happened to me at the office today. I used the phrase "XYZ" in an example as I spoke, and one of the locals asked me "did anyone coach you to say 'zed' instead of 'zee'? Because when you say 'zee' it really hurt our ears..."

Except what he really said was "Deed ah-nee woin coich yoi to say 'zed' inse-ah-ed of 'zee'? 'Cuz wheyahn ya sahy 'zee' it reahlly huts ah eahhhs!"

The really hurt my ears. But in a good way.
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My pants don't smell like sunshine anymore.

Garmachi · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:05 am Post subject:

Oh... and I had kangaroo for dinner last night. I swear I am not making this up.
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My pants don't smell like sunshine anymore.

sledge · Minister of Silly Walks Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 1745

Magnum · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 423 Location: Ravenna, OH

"Have you ever tasted rabbit?"
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I have lots to do....
I have nothing to do....

Garmachi · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:43 am Post subject:

Ya know... it was good. Funny you should mention rabbit, because I think that's what it tasted like. Although, I can't ever remember eating rabbit, I thought "I bet this is what rabbit tastes like." Weird, huh?

So, I'm taking tons of notes and tons of pictures. I apologize for the short updates. Here's a brief overview of my typical day:

Im' up at 7. I shower, and eat breakfast - usually something I bought the night before. (It bears mentioning that every sip of fruit juice I've had here tastes as though it were fresh squeezed only moments ago. This includes the 1/2 gallon of orange juice I bought on Sunday, the bottled apple/mango I had the other day, and every other bit I've had since arriving. It's painfully obvious to me now how processed fruit juice in the US is. Same thing with the eggs. I had a set of over mediums on Sunday morning, and the yolks were definitely not yellow. They were a deep rich orange color, bordering on red, and were so thick, that even though they were "over medium" I could still eat them with a fork. I think the same rule applies to American chickens. This makes me sad. )

I then struggle to recall how to tie a full windsor knot for several minutes, give up and tie a "slop knot" and go to the office. I arrive at 9.

The class chats a bit and we get started. At 10 we break for tea. In fact, the entire coutnry shuts down at 10 for tea. This typically lasts half an hour and involves little cakes, and some of the best espresso ever. Or cappuccino if that's your thing. Oh yeah, or tea.

12:30 we have lunch which consits of finger sandwiches (made with real fingers) and some amazing fruit juice. Then I teach some more. At 3:15 the entire continent shuts down for tea again. It's astounding that anything ever gets done, but I swear these constant breaks actually make people more efficient, and, more importantly, happy.

At 4, we review and I walk back to the hotel while trying not to step into traffic because I'm distracted by all the hot women wearing short skirts and high heels. And these aren't your typical tramps or sluts either, these are businesswomen. It's summer here down under, and the current fasion is tight skirts and high heels. I've almost been hit by fourteen busses. Today.

Today after work I actually put on the sneakers and went for a jog along the banks of the Yara river. It was incredibly hot, but I guess all that caffeine I'd injested earlier really jazzed me up. I felt great when I was done. Now I'm in an internet cafe where I've already racked up a $2.60 bill and it's almost dinner time. 8PM is when Aussies eat. I should go do that.
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My pants don't smell like sunshine anymore.

Travisimon · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:14 am Post subject:

I wish I was there! I'm glad you're having a good time!

Why am I shouting?
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It's a volcanic planet. You'll be safe there.

dreamer · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:55 am Post subject:

Dvonneh · Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 95 Location: Western PA

DITTO ON THE EYE CANDEE!!! just askin

Travisimon · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:18 pm Post subject:

I like his report. eek

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It's a volcanic planet. You'll be safe there.

sledge · Minister of Silly Walks Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 1745

psychicmidget · Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Posts: 309

Garmachi · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:58 am Post subject:

BIGJIM · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 138

Garmachi · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:16 am Post subject:

What in the world are you doing up at this hour? Isn't it the middle of the night back in the US?
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My pants don't smell like sunshine anymore.

BIGJIM · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 138

5:22 AM and another reason you're the Alpha Male there is because This Guy is in the "States" with Ellen.