Hello! Because many of you are enjoying the sunshine, I am a little envious because it is raining here. Although Australia is similar to the US in many ways, there are differences I have noticed in the two weeks I have been here.
1. Weather: Too often I forget that the seasons here are opposite the US because Australia is below the equator. While the weather is not that much different from Piedmont or Portland, I often walk around my host family's house wearing shorts or cropped pants and a t-shirt because my mind is in summer mode. I usually wear a sweatshirt because I am cold, as the house is old and has timber. However, I rarely need a sweatshirt or sweater when I am outside. A few days ago, Bailey, the family dog, got out of the gated area where he is supposed to stay and chewed on my flip flops. Nicole and I went to Target to see if I could find a new pair of flip flops, but unfortunately, there was not a huge selection. Instead, I saw rain boots and coats, and thought, "DUH, it's WINTER here!"
2. Driving: Australians drive on the left side of the road, and for me, the issue is not learning how to drive, but re-orienting myself to the correct side of the road. Not only is the steering wheel on the opposite side of the car, but the turn signal and windshield wiper indicators are as well. Fortunately, the traffic in Toowoomba is not heavy and the roads are not narrow like they are in Piedmont. One difference between driving here and the US is that turning right on a red is illegal. Also, police can pull you over for going above the speed limit, but not below. So basically, I could drive 40 km on a 70 km highway and still drive safely. Parking on the grass is common here, something that I have never done back home. While I have yet to drive here alone and my driving is not as good as it is in the US, I have done much better than I thought I would do.
3. People: I have been impressed with how friendly people I met have been. Last weekend I went to church and not only were people very welcoming, but they even invited me to hang out at someone's house. When I was at church, people I met kept introducing me to their friends. In my experience, people I have met at churches in the US or Europe were nowhere near as friendly as these people were. My host mom says that for some reasons, Australians really like Americans. The warmth and openness of my new friends from church is helping me have a life outside of work and meet people my age.
4. Around the house: My host family has a gas stove and oven, which is not uniquely Australia, but I have not used either in my Piedmont or Portland homes. I have gotten the hang of using the stove, but sometimes I have to ask Nicole or Reegan to help me use the oven. Also, the doors do not open and close the way American and European doors do. I have turn the handle right to lock my door, and left to open it. If I want the door completely closed, shutting it is not enough as it will open.
Although English is the official language, the word usage can be different. Here is some Aussie lingo I have picked up in the few weeks I have been here.
Mate= Friend
Jumper= Jacket
Lift= Ride (same as in the UK)
Fuel= Gas
Barbie=BBQ
Dip Dip=Ketchup or BBQ sauce
Bullbar=bumper of a car
Contrary to popular belief, Australians do NOT call soccer "football." Also, they recognize Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch and even have a national holiday for her.
Hope you enjoyed learning a little more about my host country!
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