Ozzie Obzervations
Big Things in the Big Country
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Elastic bands are widely used here in Brisbane. It is not uncommon to find two or three bands binding your post or the weekly neighborhood newspaper. We have collected no less than 14,000 in the last eight months and plan to construct a "big rubber band" ball to add to the list of "big" tourist attractions.
There are many "big" things here in the Down Under. So far on our travels we have encountered the Big Macadamia, the Big Pineapple, the Big Merino, the Big Lobster, the Big Ned Kelly, the Big Captain Cook, the Big Windmill, the Big Orange, the Big Apple, the Big Banana, the Big Crab and the Big Rocking Horse.
Unfortunately we missed the big earthworms on our way to Phillip Island (our navigator fell asleep) as well as some big rock somewhere in the middle of the country (called Ayers or Uluru). Maybe next trip.
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And the weather's fine
The weather forecast has been the same nearly every day since January and can be wrapped up in one word — "FINE". If the forecast is not "fine" then it is "mostly fine," "becoming fine" or "clearing to fine." The locals look confused when I ask if it ever rains in Brisbane. Could it be that they do not understand my Canadian accent or that the meaning of the word "rain" is a foreign concept?
Whatever the weather, many Australians do not wear shoes. They drive without wearing shoes. They shop without wearing shoes. I would think that owning a shoe store in Australia would be a huge financial risk. For those who prefer some foot covering but still like the feeling of unfettered toes, plastic sandals or "thongs" are worn. In Canada "thongs" are not usually fashioned as footwear items.
So before arriving here in Oz, I was quite shocked to hear that thongs were frequently worn in public and did not look forward to the sight of bare bums on the streets.
Postscripts on the mail
The Australian postal system is both fast and efficient. A local letter posted by 6pm one day will arrive at its destination without fail on the next.
Household mail delivery is done on motorcycle. The posties can be seen daily whizzing down the boulevard in their bright orange vests and helmets.
The riders travel the most direct route possible between mailboxes and show no mercy to flowerbeds, lawns or any living things that get in their way enroute. If you must wait curbside (kerbside) for your mail, make sure that you are standing behind the box rather than in front or you may be run over.
Next page: Clubs and Culture
Balancing Rock photo courtesy of Barbara Giesbrecht
- Driving in Australia and Other Aussie Experiences
- U-Turns and Highways
- Billy Tea, Beet Root, Bacon, Beer
- Spyders, Sausage Rolls
- Does the Water Go Counter-clockwise?
- Big Things in the Big Country
- Clubs and Culture
- Birds, Fish and Crawly Things
- Lizards, Leeches and Cane Toads
From our Forum: "Somehow I doubt the Aborigines would appreciate Uluru (Ayers Rock) being billed as The Big Rock!!! [very big grin] Can you see it??? 'Come visit us Down Under ... see the Big Macadamia, the Big Pineapple, the Big Merino, the Big Lobster, the Big Rock...'" — Joseph
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