October 24, 25

Brisvegas? That's Brisbane's nickname, but not my experience of it. The city center part seemed just like any other Australian city. There are some casinos but I didn't go in any, so maybe all the glitz and glam is indoors. When I got back to the hostel from walking all over the city, the Scottish guy, Stuart, reminded me that it was discount movie night, so we decided to go see a movie. Scottish accents can be difficult to understand, but generally make me laugh. Syd, if you are still reading this (and I'd be impressed if you are since you're getting married so soon!), imagine the Scottish couple from Hvar, it was just as great as that! The phrase from this couple that we repeated numerous times was "absolutely brilliant" (must be done with the correct accent to produce the maximum giggling), with Stuart it was "I can't be bothered". Sorry, none of this is very interesting to read I'm sure, but talking to people with British accents is guaranteed to make me laugh. After the movie we met up with some of his friends at a pub/bar that was pretty dead. He had to have a beer before he could go to sleep (more like a pitcher, but those British people drink all the time, I think). Oh, and let me tell you what my new best friend, the South Korean girl said to me: She asked if I had a boyfriend, and I said "no... single as can be", and she said "why?" (girl, I don't know, must not be God's timing, but I ask myself the same thing) , " but you are so beautiful." (that's when she became my best friend). That was so nice of her, made my day!
I keep meaning to talk about the aborigines. They make up about 8% of the population (I think I read that) in Queensland (the state that Cairns and Brisbane are in), which I believe is the most of anywhere else in Australia. I never saw any in Sydney or Melbourne, but now I see them all the time. It can be a bit shocking because the ones I've seen are all bedraggled looking with crazy hair and crazy eyes. And black people are such a rarity here, so I hadn't been used to seeing any. There are many sad stories about the destruction of the aborigine people, sort of like our Native Americans. They really haven't fared well from British settlement. I had wanted to go to this aborigines reserve place my second day in Cairns, but then that sunburn happened and I couldn't get myself to make it happen.
Today, I got up early for yoga again (even though Stuart and I didn't get back until 1 am-ish), but I would have been up that early anyways thanks to the construction outside our window. After yoga and a shower I talked to mom on skype but underestimated the time it would take to walk to the wharf (I was going to take a "nature cruise" to a Koala Reserve), so I missed the boat, and decided to take a bus instead. Then I proceeded to wait an hour for a bus that wasn't coming, so I gave up and took a taxi. At the Lone Pine Koala Reserve I got to have my picture taken (for a small $15 fee) cuddling a koala (here's the link: http://www.koala.net/photo/2510006237.htm) and see baby crocodiles, kangaroos, and other Australian animals. What do I think of having held a koala? They aren't as cuddly as they seem, but that could be because I was afraid I would freak out and drop it and because it's little claws were digging into my sunburn. They are cute, no doubt, but I'd take a human child any day (as long as it isn't crying...). I was able to take the boat back to the city and I was very glad that I hadn't taken it both ways because the park was much too small for all the time it gives you to be there. It's mid afternoon now, so I'm not sure what's in store for later.
Oh, and if you are one of the people keeping up with this for a while, you may notice in the koala photo a new shirt. It was an impulse buy yesterday at some cheapy store, not sure what got into me, but could it be that I've only worn solid color tops for over four months straight?