I am now fully integrated into the Australian country...
I was coming home from work the other day when a cop pulled me over on the side of the road. Sounds like a pretty typical event, but this time was really embarrassing as I was riding my push bike. No car, no running motor, just me and my push bike pulled over on the side of the road with the cop lights flashing all around and people looking at me like "what the heck did she do!"
Well, it turns out I forgot to turn on my lights, which is a requirement to ride a night. Luckily he just gave me a warning as this is a law to protect my safety. Although it was a warning I still got a ticket which was only (to quote the cop) "to make sure people know I'm doing my job."
Done and done - but that is the thing about Australia. They make quite a few laws to protect your safety and enforce them. The other thing I have noticed is how the government runs shock ads to scare people into obeying the laws. Such a one commercial about how it is important to wear your seat belt.
The commercial starts off with a mom driving her two young teens to school. She is nervous about a van that is following her and when she glances in the rear view mirror, she slams into the back of a parked car (not bad so far). Then you see her son fly into the back of her seat (he was not wearing his seat belt) which pushes her head into the steering wheel and ultimately kills her (yeah this is on during prime time). Her daughter sits there screaming and the son is stunned about what happens with blood all over his face. Last flash to the mom who is still not moving and cuts to a black screen with the govt. logo reminding us to wear our seat belts. Needless to say I always wear my seat belt in OZ.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The good, the bad and the ugly
The Good: Pretty much everything. The best is the coffee - there is a real coffee machine at work (one that makes lattes). There is a local coffeehouse called CIBO, which is some of the best I've had.
Adelaide is also called the 20 minute city (i.e. you can get anywhere is 20 minutes or less). The mayor is getting a little worried though, because last census it was turning int the 25 minute city. From our place, we can get the a really nice beach going west in about 15 and a great hiking trail driving east in about 20. But what is even better are all the bike lanes. There is one on every major street and if one doesn't exist the cars are conscientious about bikers on the road. We did buy a car, and other then our tourist outings, it doesn't get driven much during the week.
The Bad: Shopping hours...9:00 - 5:00 almost everyday for your groceries and retail stores. There is late night shopping on Thursdays in the suburbs and Friday in the city where places may stay open until 7:00 or 9:00, but I rarely plan ahead for that. With these store hours you have to be aware of what food you have or may want for dinners. We did find one small shop (IGA) that tends to stay open later, but is a bit on the pricey side. So we have become domesticated in the fact that we go food shopping on the weekend and "plan" our dinners for the week. Luckily every Saturday there is a huge market in the city that is entertaining to go to.
The Ugly: Really there is nothing ugly around here. The entire city is clean and pleasant to live in. There are far fewer homeless people on the streets like in Denver - you will see one or two every now and then, but not that often. The city is surrounded by park lands, which means lots of green grass, beautiful trees and plenty of soccer fields . No one seems to have any pickup games on the weekends, but we are hoping to find a few players to start some.
This weekend we are getting our first visitor!!! So exciting - since he is Mark's cousin I'm leaving it to Mark to determine what we do...but I have a feeling it will involve a wine valley and some good food...
Adelaide is also called the 20 minute city (i.e. you can get anywhere is 20 minutes or less). The mayor is getting a little worried though, because last census it was turning int the 25 minute city. From our place, we can get the a really nice beach going west in about 15 and a great hiking trail driving east in about 20. But what is even better are all the bike lanes. There is one on every major street and if one doesn't exist the cars are conscientious about bikers on the road. We did buy a car, and other then our tourist outings, it doesn't get driven much during the week.
The Bad: Shopping hours...9:00 - 5:00 almost everyday for your groceries and retail stores. There is late night shopping on Thursdays in the suburbs and Friday in the city where places may stay open until 7:00 or 9:00, but I rarely plan ahead for that. With these store hours you have to be aware of what food you have or may want for dinners. We did find one small shop (IGA) that tends to stay open later, but is a bit on the pricey side. So we have become domesticated in the fact that we go food shopping on the weekend and "plan" our dinners for the week. Luckily every Saturday there is a huge market in the city that is entertaining to go to.
The Ugly: Really there is nothing ugly around here. The entire city is clean and pleasant to live in. There are far fewer homeless people on the streets like in Denver - you will see one or two every now and then, but not that often. The city is surrounded by park lands, which means lots of green grass, beautiful trees and plenty of soccer fields . No one seems to have any pickup games on the weekends, but we are hoping to find a few players to start some.
This weekend we are getting our first visitor!!! So exciting - since he is Mark's cousin I'm leaving it to Mark to determine what we do...but I have a feeling it will involve a wine valley and some good food...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Lost and Found
Went running on Sunday with the non-oz (our new found group where none of us are Aussies). Well really the guys took off and it was Sal and I. A beautiful run south of the city, where the houses are big enough to have a tennis court in the front yard. Ran up a hill at the end and had a magnificent sight of the city about 7k away (a bittersweet moment knowing we still had to go back).
To my surprise the trip back was even better than the view from out there...mainly because we came across Alfie. A small Australian Terrier running down the street and sniffing old McDonalds bags. He looked lost and scruffy, so we stopped and persuaded him to let us help. Took him back to the apt and noticed the only tag on was for an animal shelter. I figured since he was gonna have to go back I'd at least spend the day with him (I've been missing dogs quite a bit).
So I gave him a bath and we all had breakfast (eggs all around). When we were eating he didn't beg...but got into this crazy sitting pose like a Kangaroo.
After breakfast we took him to the park. Unbeknownst to us he was amazing at fetch (actually brought the tennis ball back). Alfie was loving his life. He could run around and be free and still came back when I called for him.
After a few hours we decided it was time to take him to the shelter (and it was closing for the day). When I called they informed me he wasn't a run away and had an owner! They gave me her details and when I called she asked if I could watch him a bit longer because she was busy...what!!! To busy to pick up your lost dog!!! I was furiouse - but really excited to spend a few more hours with my new friend. Since we played so hard before it was time for a nap. We were both out and he didn't wake up until the owner came and picked him up.
I think it was a good day for both of us. I wonder what he is doing now and pray that he is happy and running around.
To my surprise the trip back was even better than the view from out there...mainly because we came across Alfie. A small Australian Terrier running down the street and sniffing old McDonalds bags. He looked lost and scruffy, so we stopped and persuaded him to let us help. Took him back to the apt and noticed the only tag on was for an animal shelter. I figured since he was gonna have to go back I'd at least spend the day with him (I've been missing dogs quite a bit).
So I gave him a bath and we all had breakfast (eggs all around). When we were eating he didn't beg...but got into this crazy sitting pose like a Kangaroo.
After breakfast we took him to the park. Unbeknownst to us he was amazing at fetch (actually brought the tennis ball back). Alfie was loving his life. He could run around and be free and still came back when I called for him.
After a few hours we decided it was time to take him to the shelter (and it was closing for the day). When I called they informed me he wasn't a run away and had an owner! They gave me her details and when I called she asked if I could watch him a bit longer because she was busy...what!!! To busy to pick up your lost dog!!! I was furiouse - but really excited to spend a few more hours with my new friend. Since we played so hard before it was time for a nap. We were both out and he didn't wake up until the owner came and picked him up.
I think it was a good day for both of us. I wonder what he is doing now and pray that he is happy and running around.
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