4 flights and 1 busride later...

Hello, from the land down under!  It is weird to believe that I am all the way across the world.. quite strange.  Before I had even arrived to Australia I had already captured a million thoughts and experiences I had while traveling (the 4 flights and a busride really gives ya some time) that I wanted to share with you all.  Although, as soon as I arrived here so many thoughts and new experiences kicked the old ones out (like my anger at the Denver airport that Mcdonalds doesnt make mcchickens or have a dollar menu!) so now im just winging this blog.  It is more of a shock here than I had expected.  I will start for the beginning for those of you that do not know much of where I am.

ah hem..

February 10th I left for Australia with a group of 13 students from St Cloud State.  We flew from Minneapolis to Denver, Denver to LA, LA to New Zealand, and New Zealand to Brisbane, Australia.  Than from Brisbane we took a 3 hour bus ride to my school,  Southern Cross University.  Each layover held different experiences for our group.. Denver like I said was a real disappointment because Mcdonalds couldn't make me a Mcchicken for my last bit of American Mcdonalds.  Sad day, so I had to settle for a cold cheese burger :(.  In LA we thought it would be a great idea to get dinner as a group so we found a restaurant in the international part of the airport (it was strange how their airport was all placed together).  To make a long story short.. the service sucked, they stuck us in a backroom and forgot about us it seems.  Although, to our advantage, my group and I got a chance to meet eachother and memorize each others names.  Everyone in my group is very easy going and easy to get along with which is refreshing! 

We were off to New Zealand after a 5 hour lay over in LA.. we were already exhausted considering we had almost been traveling for 12 hours already!  Our flight to New Zealand was HUGE! It was really exciting because I had never been on a flight like that before!  It wasnt so exciting after many hours of being on that plane.  We flew Air New Zealand for that flight and to our surprise everyone was so nice and helpful (compared to our United flight attendants).  The dinner and breakfast we had was quite tastey and of course the majority of the group didnt skip the chance of getting free alcohol since we are all legal now! :)  I had trouble with motion sickness on 3 out of 4 of my flights, which was strange.. so I thought it would be best to pass on the free booze.  We arrived to  New Zealand an hour early due to the tail wind which was nice.  So our 12.5 hour flight turned out to be only 11.5 hours. hahaha.. phew! We got a chance to watch the sun rise in New Zealand over the mountains (from the airport window) by the ocean and needless to say it was SPECATULAR! I did take a photo so I will see if my picture does it justice.  I am excited and thrilled to get the opportunity to see New Zealand before I go home.. let the penny pinching begin!!

Okay.. onto Australia.  I thought it was pretty lucky that everyone in my group, INCLUDING ME!, all got their luggage.  After 4 flights I would consider that a big Success!! We were quickly place onto a bus which brought us to our school (3 more hours under our belts).  I don't even know if its possible to record everything that was running through my mind.  It is definitely a different lifestyle... nothing really relates to home except that we speak english.  Ha, okay maybe a little more but give me a break I may be considered delusional from all of the traveling!  It was very exciting and we were all sweating like pigs! The sun was out, sky was blue and we were driving on the other side of the road!  I didn't hear what the temperature was but it felt like 90 degress.  Even the Aussies said it was hot so maybe it was a little hotter than normal? Not too sure.  At this point I felt like I had been hit by a bus, and I looked like it too, I was greasy, sweaty, and had no makeup on (since I cried it off at the Minneapolis airport) so.. in otherwords the ideal way to meet new people. NOT! haha.  This is what I signed up for though! So, bring it on!  We went to the store quickly after arriving at our school to buy necessities etc. (side note: no shower yet).  I felt like it was supermarket sweep because we were all running with carts to the same spots in the store.  First stop: FANS!  After we got back I got my sim card all set up in my phone, which took too much time but no one is really in a rush here.  I don't really know how much I will be using my phone since it costs money but it is cheaper to use my sim card number at a payphone (go figure)! It is 1 cent a minute off of a pay phone but when i use my cell it is 10 cents per minute.  However, from what I understand, if you guys call me YOU will be paying so beware!  I do not have the same number so do not try calling my 612 number from Minnesota.

Sorry this is so long, I will quickly try to finish up.  I live in a brick room and share my apartment (flat) with 5 other people.  By the time I went to bed I had only met 3 of them so I am wondering if 2 others made it in last night.  I will keep you posted!  I have two Aussie room mates ones name is Dain (who is first year this year) and I cant remember the other's name, but they are both guys.  I will let you know the other's name when I find out again.  Then I also have a girl room mate from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  There are a LOT of midwest students here it is kind of creepy!  The school held a BBQ here last night for us which was nice.  This bbq consisted of sausages on regular bread folded around the sausage and pop, and it started 45 minutes late, again, no one is really in a rush. :)  The majority of the students here were drinking their alcohol though!  My stomach has been hating on me since the flight to New Zealand so sausages and alcohol wasnt ideal.  My drink of choice at the moment is Pepto Bismol and it will be for a few days I am assuming.  I am hoping I can find some at the mall today, cross your fingers.  I cant believe how sick I have been feeling but I tried my best to stick around at the bbq for as long as I could!  It is so nice to see Steph here and have Kirstin along so since I don't feel good it is actually like having a bit of home with me. 

I headed to bed early last night and woke up at 6:50 a.m. (already saturday here) so I am getting the chance to write this blog and I got to speak with my mom and sister on the phone!!!!! :-D that was exciting.  I haven't exactly figured out how to make calls yet because it didnt ring.. so it may take a while for me to figure this all out.  I do not have a television or any of the like here so I am learning to live without technology and my reality tv shows!! My mom is watching Real Housewives or Orange County for me to keep me posted! Thanks Mom! Although I have a computer, we have to pay for internet by month, but we are only allowed to use so many gigibites so I cant do much surfing on the internet otherwise my month will be over before March 15th! So Skype will have to be limited for everyone, unless you all would like to pitch in! haha.  I do not really know exactly how much space it takes up of my allowed time but I will keep you posted on that as well.

In otherwords, nothing here is cheap or free.  The weather is amazing, my view is amazing, the accents are amazing... it will just take a little getting use to!  I am sure I forgot to mention a lot of things but I will try to report back on a regular basis.  I miss you all!  Thanks for reading, especially if you read this whole blog!

oh p.s. it is 17 hours ahead here.. not 16 since the state that I live in doesn't do day lights saving.  So that clock to the right is one hour behind!

Love you all!
Brookie