Here’s a collection of random things that are meaningful and meaningless, including things we personally experienced. So much of what we see in countries other than the US is the same and so much is different. It’s fun celebrate these similarities and enjoy and embrace the differences.
First, everyone not only drives on the left, they walk on the left and the “up” escalator is on the left.
Secondly, The Opera House is not white, it’s beige and it’s still spectacular.
Third, Vegemite was nowhere to be seen in Sydney.
Fourth: note to self. If we travel in the fall and I plan to visit either synagogues or Jewish Museums, it would make sense for me to check the Jewish holiday schedule before running out to see the aforesaid museum that is closed on such holidays.
Fifth, not only did one cabdriver worry about how we might not able to vote, another Palestinian cabbie and I solved the Arab-Israeli conflict on our ride. Let’s just say we both long for the days of Yitzak Rabin and Ariel Sharon, two very reasonable guys. (Voting is mandatory in Australia and Chile, by the way, and is held on the weekend when most people are free to vote.). Also, as an aside, cab drivers are a great source of information.
Our drivers represented the amazing diversity of Australia. Australia is a country of immigrants. The population boasts the largest number of Greeks and Italians outside their respective countries. Australia is also home to the second greatest number of holocaust survivors. The diversity is reflected in the myriad of ethnic restaurants sprinkle all over the city: Bangladeshi, Italian, Greek, North African, Malay, Japanese, Thai, and Chinese, just to name a few. I had the best Chinese food I’ve had in years.
Sixth, security at the airport is far more lax. There’s no need to take off jackets or shoes. Bottles of water can be taken through security. What’s considered carry on on luggage, however, is different. Our bags would have been carry on luggage in the US, but not in Australia. You are limited to a very small carry on bag. Oh, and by the way, Qantas still serves meals!
Speaking of planes, I left my Fitbit in the “bowels” of the plane. I decided to take advantage of the restroom on the plane one last time before landing. Bad decision. I heard the clink of something hard fall in the toilet and realized my Fitbit had popped off my waist band and, landing with that very unfortunate clink. Needless to say, retrieval was not an option. With the Healthy app on the iPhone, I can measure steps, but only when I’m carrying my phone. So many steps have been missed, but in our 5 days in Sydney, we walked over 36 miles, something we needed to do to counterbalance all of our eating.
Seventh, I marveled at the number of Australians who had been to US as evidenced by the huge number of T-shirts and sweatshirts with logos for colleges, universities and sports teams. But, I came to find out, you can buy this clothing in Australia itself. It’s simply a reflection of the Aussie admiration for American institutions.
Eighth, purple, green, pink, red hair, you name it. Unique, bright hair colors and tattoos do not discriminate against any age group in Australia.
Ninth, Woolworth’s is still alive and kicking in Australia. (Remember the five and dime store?)
Tenth, an entree in Australia is an appetizer here and a main course there is an entree here.
In Search of the San Andreas Fault 