Campus Walkabout

I decided to take a walk around campus today to get my bearings, but I was really out to see a kangaroo. The first picture I took was of some poop. Yes, poop. I was fresh on the tracks of a kangaroo, or so I hoped it was kangaroo poop. I didn’t see any nearby, so I took my journey inward towards the center of campus. On one of the lawns I found a sculpture set up to look like pages from a book floating around and each one had a good quote that was relevant to Uni (what everyone calls college/university). Then, all of a sudden, a bunny ran across the sidewalk in front of me! It turns out there are wild rabbits all over campus! I could never get close enough to touch one, but they were cute to look at. Then there was a random spaceship. Aliens have apparently invaded Aussie.

There are birds all over campus and most of them are pretty annoying. The crows catch me off guard because they sound like a real person sometimes and it’s freaky. The magpies, on the other hand, sound like a dying cat. I haven’t heard the Kookaburras singing yet, but I’ve heard they aren’t so bad to listen to.

On my walk, I was taking pictures of a couple birds and didn’t even notice a whole herd of kangaroos just hanging out (they sort of blend in to the landscape if you aren’t really paying attention). I got a couple good shots before they all scattered and was so excited that I FINALLY got to see some Roos! I even got to see a couple more right near my dorm on the way back, too. The Australians think it’s so weird that we are so fascinated with Kangaroos, but I don’t care. Apparently they are fascinated with squirrels when they visit the US, so I feel like we are even.

On a side note, soda is pretty expensive here. BUT – they do still have Vanilla Coke! I’m pretty sure it doesn’t exist in the US anymore

Off to a good start

First off, Australia is AWESOME. The people are so nice here! The accents are nice and I'm starting to catch on to some of their slang. The Australians love our accents and can always tell right away that we are American.

We have done a little bit of exploring around campus and spent most of our time at the mall about 10 minutes away walking distance (see photos for the route we take across a lake). Honestly, I don't know why America doesn't have any malls like this one. It's literally the best mall I've ever been to! There are about 5 grocery stores throughout the mall and heaps and heaps (that's what they say here!) of random but useful stores. It's 3 levels and the food court is fantastic. Most things are more expensive here, like the mascara below, but I've been able to score on a few cheap deals. There is a picture below of TimTams that I found at Woodworths (or Woolys, as they call it here). TimTams are the most delicious cookie/snack I think I've ever had. Y'all are missin out! :)

This Belongs on Daxton's Blog

One thing before I get started with this blog about Australia. I got to Canberra and realized I don't really have any pictures of Daxton, which was a little bit of a crisis. I had loaded them all on the mass storage drive that everyone could access at home instead of my personal computer, but obviously I couldn't connect to it from here :(

BUT WAIT - before you get all sad and sympathize me: I found a few pictures I hadn't yet transferred! I don't think Briana has even seen these.

Daxton was just hangin out and playin when I noticed he had this fascination with his toy flower. He kept trying to eat it! When I found the folder on my computer with the pictures, apparently I had titled it "Flower Make-out." I remember as soon as I started taking pictures he heard the shutter sound and instantly wanted to play with my camera. If you have seen him at all lately, you'll understand how he is about reaching for anything and everything. I think you can see him actually grabbing for the camera in the first few shots. Enjoy!