PERTH - - Well, I've checked out of my hotel and am officially homeless for about 8 hours until I go to the airport to fly to Cairns (and shuttle up to Port Douglas).
My first impressions of Perth are mixed. Of course, I'm sad to be leaving here. That's a familiar feeling whenever I travel, no matter how much fun I've had.
During past trips, I've visited Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, the Gold Coast and Port Douglas, so I already know a lot about Australia. So many aspects of Australian life are so familiar to me, but Perth is new territory, at least to me.
I'd have to compare my first visit to Perth to spending a vacation with distant family members. There are moments of uncomfortable silence (not knowing what to do first), the getting-to-know-you phase (making sense of the city map and learning which street your hotel is on), and of course, the familiar stuff that convinces you that you really are family (beets on the burgers at McDonalds, "thank you" replaced by "no worries.")
On the whole, Perth is pretty cool. I mean that literally. It's been strange weather, hot sun-burning weather in the sun and sweatshirt weather in the shade. And windy! I've been told that Perth is the fourth windiest city on the planet. Yep, Chicago is No. 1. I think San Francisco is in there somewhere too.
If you ever come to Perth, there are some things you should definitely do (maybe 4 days worth, MAX!):
- wine tasting in Swan Valley (most of the Elizabeth River wines are processed here)
- day trip to Fremantle (see Fremantle prison - - built in 1850s, in use until 1991!!!!; visit Fremantle Maritime Museum - - much more interactive that I would have expected; hit the Fremantle Markets on the weekend, souvenirs plus fabulous fresh produce!)
- walk, picnic and hike in Kings Park and botanic gardens. I mention the hike part because a large chunk of Kings Park is recovering bushland and they let you picnic on the grass!
Of course, I'd have to say the highlight of my Perth visit was meeting Leg Shaver Guy. He flew home to Adelaide this morning. Even if I don't hear from him again, it was good practice.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Sounds of Oz
Say the word "ground," but open your mouth as wide as possible with the "ou" sound.
Give it a try.
You've just reproduced the announcement made by my Perth hotel elevator when I reach the floor where the reception desk is located.
Love it!
Give it a try.
You've just reproduced the announcement made by my Perth hotel elevator when I reach the floor where the reception desk is located.
Love it!
Date with Leg Shaver Guy
PERTH - -Returning from a day trip to Fremantle (suburb of Perth with better nightlife, restaurants and museums), my phone did that annoying chime thing that always makes me smile. I've got mail!?!?!
It was Chris the Leg Shaver, the Aussie with whom I had drinks last night. (He had brought me a bottle of wine from South Australia - - his home state, of which he is very proud. Too sweet!)
We traded texts with the end result being he's leaving tomorrow on a 9:30 am flight back to Adelaide, so no chance for a breakfast together. He DID say that if the party tonight is a dud, he'll call me.
Oh, before I forget, the date:
We met in the hotel lobby bar and here I am with this Aussie guy who loves the NBA (although he's never been to the US much less an NBA game). He's tall with sandy blond hair. He likes to camp and bike ride. Complained a bit that he's out of shape (um, NO!)
Anyway, we belly up to the bar and he orders...a SINGAPORE SLING! a girlie drink!?!?! I suppress a smile when the bartender says they don't make those. I suggest a tequila sunrise (and secretly pat myself on the back for my bartending background and quick thinking). We have two, actually two each in the next hour or two.
Conversation was good and not nearly as strange as our first poolside encounter. I was a bit nervous, so of course, I talked too much! We talked about health care and how it's sooo different in the US. We spoke of travel and the wonderful locations that Mother Nature annihilated this year.
He invited me to come to South Australia for my next visit. Said he'd take me camping to the Flinders Ranges. Okay, my friends just dropped their collective jaws when they read that last line. YES! I HAVE BEEN CAMPING!
Contrary to many first dates that take place in a bar, there was no smooching, groping or any type of PDA.
Anyway, last call arrived (damned hotel bars and their early closing times!) and we walked toward the elevators. We arrived at my floor too quickly and when the doors opened, I thanked him for the drinks and the wine. He went for a hug and I went for a kiss (gimme a break!!! it's been a while, okay?!?) We managed both, but I think I surprised him with a kiss because he tried to hold the elevator doors open to continue our evening.
"Thanks again!" I said as he finally let the doors close.
Back to his text message today:
"Hi MJ. Hope you r having a great time in freo. I dont think i will see you b4 the dinner as i am off to pre dinner drinks. Will send you a picture! Will email you when i get home. Really would love to see you again X"
(Yes, he did end it with X.)
All together now....."Awww!"
It was Chris the Leg Shaver, the Aussie with whom I had drinks last night. (He had brought me a bottle of wine from South Australia - - his home state, of which he is very proud. Too sweet!)
We traded texts with the end result being he's leaving tomorrow on a 9:30 am flight back to Adelaide, so no chance for a breakfast together. He DID say that if the party tonight is a dud, he'll call me.
Oh, before I forget, the date:
We met in the hotel lobby bar and here I am with this Aussie guy who loves the NBA (although he's never been to the US much less an NBA game). He's tall with sandy blond hair. He likes to camp and bike ride. Complained a bit that he's out of shape (um, NO!)
Anyway, we belly up to the bar and he orders...a SINGAPORE SLING! a girlie drink!?!?! I suppress a smile when the bartender says they don't make those. I suggest a tequila sunrise (and secretly pat myself on the back for my bartending background and quick thinking). We have two, actually two each in the next hour or two.
Conversation was good and not nearly as strange as our first poolside encounter. I was a bit nervous, so of course, I talked too much! We talked about health care and how it's sooo different in the US. We spoke of travel and the wonderful locations that Mother Nature annihilated this year.
He invited me to come to South Australia for my next visit. Said he'd take me camping to the Flinders Ranges. Okay, my friends just dropped their collective jaws when they read that last line. YES! I HAVE BEEN CAMPING!
Contrary to many first dates that take place in a bar, there was no smooching, groping or any type of PDA.
Anyway, last call arrived (damned hotel bars and their early closing times!) and we walked toward the elevators. We arrived at my floor too quickly and when the doors opened, I thanked him for the drinks and the wine. He went for a hug and I went for a kiss (gimme a break!!! it's been a while, okay?!?) We managed both, but I think I surprised him with a kiss because he tried to hold the elevator doors open to continue our evening.
"Thanks again!" I said as he finally let the doors close.
Back to his text message today:
"Hi MJ. Hope you r having a great time in freo. I dont think i will see you b4 the dinner as i am off to pre dinner drinks. Will send you a picture! Will email you when i get home. Really would love to see you again X"
(Yes, he did end it with X.)
All together now....."Awww!"
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Just a bit of stubble
PERTH - - When he told me that his legs were shaved because he was dressing as a woman this Saturday, I knew more information was required.
His name is Chris and he's from Adelaide. We met at the rooftop pool at our hotel. He's attending a conference (or trying to get out of it, I'm not sure which) and the final day's event is some kind of costume party...at least that's what he said.
I advised him to exfoliate before he uses the fake tan to complete his "Survivor" character. Somehow I felt I should offer to do his makeup (?!?!) Yes, it was THAT kind of conversation.
For as weird as this was, it was about to step up a notch. Apparently, he's already got the bikini and chicken fillets to put in it?? (okay, I really wouldn't have thought of that, but it's Australia and they do things differently here).
We talked for the better part of an hour as he moved his chair closer to mine. (No, I didn't jump off the roof.) We seemed to be able to chat very easily. But, hey, how intimidating can a guy be that opens a conversation by explaining why his legs have less hair on them than mine?
The stats: 44 years old, two kids (older, out of school), works in the medical field but not a doctor (I don't think). Something about working with people to arrange all of their medical needs (peculiar situation in Australia, not like our health care...probably much better.)
Oh, he's divorced - - twice! Said he met and married a woman 11 years younger and, at some point, she decided she wanted to have kids and he didn't want them since he already had his. He said they'd already had that conversation, but she changed her mind. Says they're still friends.
He already had dinner plans for tonight, but wants to meet in the bar for a drink later. We'll see.
His name is Chris and he's from Adelaide. We met at the rooftop pool at our hotel. He's attending a conference (or trying to get out of it, I'm not sure which) and the final day's event is some kind of costume party...at least that's what he said.
I advised him to exfoliate before he uses the fake tan to complete his "Survivor" character. Somehow I felt I should offer to do his makeup (?!?!) Yes, it was THAT kind of conversation.
For as weird as this was, it was about to step up a notch. Apparently, he's already got the bikini and chicken fillets to put in it?? (okay, I really wouldn't have thought of that, but it's Australia and they do things differently here).
We talked for the better part of an hour as he moved his chair closer to mine. (No, I didn't jump off the roof.) We seemed to be able to chat very easily. But, hey, how intimidating can a guy be that opens a conversation by explaining why his legs have less hair on them than mine?
The stats: 44 years old, two kids (older, out of school), works in the medical field but not a doctor (I don't think). Something about working with people to arrange all of their medical needs (peculiar situation in Australia, not like our health care...probably much better.)
Oh, he's divorced - - twice! Said he met and married a woman 11 years younger and, at some point, she decided she wanted to have kids and he didn't want them since he already had his. He said they'd already had that conversation, but she changed her mind. Says they're still friends.
He already had dinner plans for tonight, but wants to meet in the bar for a drink later. We'll see.
Bloody aussie flys
PERTH - - Walking through King's Park and the Botanic Gardens, I became lunch for one of Australia's least talked-about, but most hated animals!
Flys (I'm going to spell it like the Aussies do).
It's not that there are more of them, but they are without doubt the most aggressive, persistent and annoying of all creatures. And there's a desire to be intimate that I really don't share. Let me explain as I swat away yet another beast.
Oh, by the way, you can't just wave your hand in the general direction of the fly (they just laugh). You have to make actual physical contact with the critter and even then, after you've dropped your hand, the bastard returns to the SAME SPOT as if his work there isn't done yet!
I put my sunglasses on to try to deter one beast from landing on my eyelashes. (Honestly, they love ANY orafice; eyes, ears, mouth. I'd hate the think what would happen on one of Australia's nude beaches.) Even though it's pretty hot outside, I'm afraid to lick my dry lips for fear that one of these insects will fly in and land on a molar!
I've had boyfriends who've tried to close to me like these flys, but the boyfriends gave up sooner! Attitude?!?! I've known Marines will less attitude!
Flys (I'm going to spell it like the Aussies do).
It's not that there are more of them, but they are without doubt the most aggressive, persistent and annoying of all creatures. And there's a desire to be intimate that I really don't share. Let me explain as I swat away yet another beast.
Oh, by the way, you can't just wave your hand in the general direction of the fly (they just laugh). You have to make actual physical contact with the critter and even then, after you've dropped your hand, the bastard returns to the SAME SPOT as if his work there isn't done yet!
I put my sunglasses on to try to deter one beast from landing on my eyelashes. (Honestly, they love ANY orafice; eyes, ears, mouth. I'd hate the think what would happen on one of Australia's nude beaches.) Even though it's pretty hot outside, I'm afraid to lick my dry lips for fear that one of these insects will fly in and land on a molar!
I've had boyfriends who've tried to close to me like these flys, but the boyfriends gave up sooner! Attitude?!?! I've known Marines will less attitude!
Paint job
PERTH- - Take a large paint brush, dip it in fuscia paint and do the following: paint a wide downward-pointing triangle on your chest, then stripe down the left arm beginning at a point even with your armpit, including your left hand, add to that a skinny stripe beginning four inches below your right knee and ending just above your toes; lastly, take a bit deeper-colored paint and touch just the tip of your nose.
Now you have my "tan" after my lengthy chat with Carlos in the park.
Now you have my "tan" after my lengthy chat with Carlos in the park.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Chat in the park
PERTH - - I've just had the best conversation I've had all day. I'm sitting in a park in Northbridge, a northern suburb of Perth that's supposed to contain all the "happening" restaurants and clubs. So far, I've only come across one street with about four restaurants and as many clubs. Oh well.
A man approached me and (still in "big-city girl" mode) I was on guard. He said Hello and I said Hi. I couldn't place his thick accent but knew it was neither Australian or American.
He spoke slowly and I couldn't decide if he was mentally slow or possibly deranged (I think I've seen some of the latter here). Turns out, he's neither of those things. He's from Chile!
Carlos has lived in Australia for about 15 years, most of them in Perth. He named about 5 other Australian cities that he's called home. (I admit to being a bit jealous of that.)
"Why Perth?" I asked.
"Because it's the best place," he said. He then went on to explain that Perth has its own mafia (who knew?). Yep, I was thinking, "this is why it's the best??"
Perth is, however, very clean. As if to prove the point, a man cleaned the area under a huge tree in the park. Carlos and I watched him rake up every dead branch and dropped leaf. He worked for over an hour.
We sat quietly for a bit, admiring a sky that was so blue and bright it almost hurt our eyes. Carlos offered me a cigarette, but I declined. He said he loved my accent.
We spoke of life's general topics: money and the happiness that doesn't usually come with it; families and how to live with them; politics and how the "average Joe" doesn't usually agree with how his government behaves.
We agreed that its best to not judge a country by its government's actions, but rather by its people...the ones you meet in parks on sunny days.
A man approached me and (still in "big-city girl" mode) I was on guard. He said Hello and I said Hi. I couldn't place his thick accent but knew it was neither Australian or American.
He spoke slowly and I couldn't decide if he was mentally slow or possibly deranged (I think I've seen some of the latter here). Turns out, he's neither of those things. He's from Chile!
Carlos has lived in Australia for about 15 years, most of them in Perth. He named about 5 other Australian cities that he's called home. (I admit to being a bit jealous of that.)
"Why Perth?" I asked.
"Because it's the best place," he said. He then went on to explain that Perth has its own mafia (who knew?). Yep, I was thinking, "this is why it's the best??"
Perth is, however, very clean. As if to prove the point, a man cleaned the area under a huge tree in the park. Carlos and I watched him rake up every dead branch and dropped leaf. He worked for over an hour.
We sat quietly for a bit, admiring a sky that was so blue and bright it almost hurt our eyes. Carlos offered me a cigarette, but I declined. He said he loved my accent.
We spoke of life's general topics: money and the happiness that doesn't usually come with it; families and how to live with them; politics and how the "average Joe" doesn't usually agree with how his government behaves.
We agreed that its best to not judge a country by its government's actions, but rather by its people...the ones you meet in parks on sunny days.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Sydney, mid 70s, sunny, breezy
It's noonish on Monday, Oct. 31 and I'm in Sydney, my favorite city on the planet. I've been here for about four hours.
And I've just been offered a job.
Actually, one of the concierges at my hotel realized how much I already know about Sydney and asked if I'd like have a job for a few days while I'm here. I told him I'm off to Perth tomorrow, but maybe I'll take him up on it when I'm back here in two weeks.
I'm sitting in a circular courtyard alongside Campbell's Cove (between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the international cruise ship dock). Watching the tourists take turns posing for photos with the bridge or the Sydney Opera House in the background.
Gorgeous day. Gorgeous city.
Last week, on a bus ride to work, I purposefully sat in the sliver of sunshine that lit up a seat near me. I was hoping to warm myself on one of the first chilly days of autumn.
No luck. Light, but no heat. Like sitting in a room with a 60-watt lightbulb.
Here, in Sydney, I have light, heat and a pleasant breeze off the harbor to keep things from getting too hot.
They say that if you like Sydney, then you'll like Perth.
Well, Perth has some big shoes to fill.
And I've just been offered a job.
Actually, one of the concierges at my hotel realized how much I already know about Sydney and asked if I'd like have a job for a few days while I'm here. I told him I'm off to Perth tomorrow, but maybe I'll take him up on it when I'm back here in two weeks.
I'm sitting in a circular courtyard alongside Campbell's Cove (between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the international cruise ship dock). Watching the tourists take turns posing for photos with the bridge or the Sydney Opera House in the background.
Gorgeous day. Gorgeous city.
Last week, on a bus ride to work, I purposefully sat in the sliver of sunshine that lit up a seat near me. I was hoping to warm myself on one of the first chilly days of autumn.
No luck. Light, but no heat. Like sitting in a room with a 60-watt lightbulb.
Here, in Sydney, I have light, heat and a pleasant breeze off the harbor to keep things from getting too hot.
They say that if you like Sydney, then you'll like Perth.
Well, Perth has some big shoes to fill.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Not your usual woman
(aboard Qantas flight 455 to Sydney)
Something is wrong with me. Something is ve-ry, ve-ry wrong with me. Here I am, on a flight to Australia, a grown woman on the verge of hitting the big 4-0. I am watching an inflight movie, "Fever Pitch," a movie about a rampant Red Sox fan and how his fandom affects his relationships.
Here I am, tearing up. I miss my Cubs and Wrigley Field. I understand rampant fandom and what it's like to have a "summer family."
I heard they re-made the end of the movie because the Red Sox won the World Series that year (2003). The movie credits rolled at the end with scenes of a championship parade not unlike the one I just witnessed in Chicago for the White Sox.
Yes, in this chest still beats the heart of the diehard Cub fan. No, I didn't become a White Sox fan to join the parade of bandwagon groupies.
At some point in the movie, the star offered this rationalization for his fandom, "It's good for your soul to invest in something you can't control."
Now there's an idea I can really get behind.
Go Cubs!
Something is wrong with me. Something is ve-ry, ve-ry wrong with me. Here I am, on a flight to Australia, a grown woman on the verge of hitting the big 4-0. I am watching an inflight movie, "Fever Pitch," a movie about a rampant Red Sox fan and how his fandom affects his relationships.
Here I am, tearing up. I miss my Cubs and Wrigley Field. I understand rampant fandom and what it's like to have a "summer family."
I heard they re-made the end of the movie because the Red Sox won the World Series that year (2003). The movie credits rolled at the end with scenes of a championship parade not unlike the one I just witnessed in Chicago for the White Sox.
Yes, in this chest still beats the heart of the diehard Cub fan. No, I didn't become a White Sox fan to join the parade of bandwagon groupies.
At some point in the movie, the star offered this rationalization for his fandom, "It's good for your soul to invest in something you can't control."
Now there's an idea I can really get behind.
Go Cubs!
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