Friday, August 26, 2011

CHATTANOOGY!!!!



So I have just had the pleasure of spending the last five days in Chattanooga,TN.

"Surely you must be joking you say!"
No. For serious. And don't call me Shirley.

I was pleasantly surprised with this little southern town. People are unbelievable here. It's easy to make a friend anywhere. I've been called honey, sweetie and baby more times than I can count. And not in a sketchy way- in a sweet, "Oh it's like you're my mom, but Southern" way.

I explored the choo-choo. It was cool. The Chattanoogans basically took the old train and made it into a boutique hotel. The train cars, the dining cars, the station- it's all there, just stationary. Pretty cool.

I went to the movies twice, I saw two films I was nervous I'd miss being abroad all summer. They made me smile. And cry. And smile. "One Day", an adaption of a book I really enjoyed- and "Crazy Stupid Love"- which was just cute. I recommend both.

I went into a cave and saw an underground waterfall. It was spellbinding.

I drove to Atlanta, and I saw two of the greatest people I know. And ate some damn good pizza. Mission accomplished.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Canberra



When I first arrived in Canberra, I was underwhelmed. All any local in Sydney had to say about the capital city was that it was cold. After arriving at my hotel in the rain, Canberra very quickly looked to me like the Kendall Square of Australia. Government buildings. Office buildings. Restaurants open from 9-5. Everything closed on Sunday. A mall. I felt pretty lonely pretty damn fast.

The first day, I went for a walk and didn't discover much of anything, besides the grocery store. The second day my co-worker and I went for a walk. We ran into a youth hostel to ask what there was to do. We discovered that there was a market every Sunday at the old bus depot. We went. It was....pretty good! We drank Sangria. It was delicious.

That night, we found a local via couchsurfing. He took us out for Thai food. (Australians LOVE thai food). We had good conversation. We made friends with the table next to us. It was a jolly good time- things were looking up. He told us about a couple of events happening this week, one a concert I'm going to tonight.

After 1 and a half days of work, I had a half day. I explored. It was fantastic. The sun was out. The air was brisk. I went to a local cafe that boasted the best coffee in Canberra- and it was the best I'd had in a long time. I also treated myself to an Australian "Lamington". The girls at the cafe recommended it. It's a sponge cake dipped it chocolate and rolled in coconut. Deeee licious.


I strolled. I discovered funky bookshops. I bought my fill of cheap Aussie souvenirs for friends and family. Then I went to the Australian National Museum. I encountered a lot of magic birds (see below) on the walk by the lake there. The museum was great. Really. I haven't learned so much at a museum in a long time. Did you know that there used to be a fence running the entire continent that was built to keep rabbits out of Western Australia? There was. I saw a platypus- dead this time. I learned about the Aboriginal traditions. I went to a rotating movie theater. It was really nice.



So Canberra, it looks like you're more than meets the eye. I'm looking forward to seeing more of you. I guess once I realized you're a quiet, relaxed, small city, there was so much more of you to see.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

BEACH!


Bronte beach. Training buddy and I reunited with a trip to the beach!

This was a beautiful place. There was an ocean water infinity pool. A public ocean water infinity pool. Big waves. Open air. Clear water. Ahh.


Friday, August 5, 2011

SYDNEY!

Where have you been all my life?

Beautiful city. Straight up.

After hiking adventures, we awoke early to explore the city. First stop : Pancakes on the Rocks, per suggestion of my dear friend Alaine. Delicioso. I had pancakes with grilled pineapple, ice cream and a strawberry daquiri- what a breakfast! After that, it was a stroll around the Rocks. Very cool neighborhood. There was an Aroma Festival happening. Chocolate, tea and coffee as far as the eye could see. What a dream. Then...to the Opera!

Yup, this building is just as unbelievable as everyone says it is. Breathtaking. I contemplated using my student id to get in to see a show- but, ran out of time.

Then, an expedition to the Taronga Zoo! My co-worker had made a new friend, that we all quickly became friends with too. He's a zookeeper. We got into the zoo, for free (booyah), and then fed giraffes.

Wow. They are tall.
Then.... I SAW A PLATYPUS!!!! VICTORY!

My list of to do in Australia is just about complete. But more adventures await....