It's time for a few reflections about our adopted culture. Call it - Bill Bryson lite. The three pictures attached to this blog are obvious icons - at least for this Canuck - for what makes the land down under truly unique and increasingly "special".
Though not unique to Oz, the whole driving on the left side of the road thing continues to be a quaint diversion that keeps us triple checking for oncoming traffic. To make matters worse, a stop sign seems to merely suggest a consideration of a rolling stop that would make all Quebeckers truly proud. It continues to be prudent to allow all cars to clear the intersection, round the corner, and park before stepping foot onto the road. The crosswalks are well marked and organized but my complaint there would be that they too seem optional. People in Melbourne jaywalk everywhere and at all times such that you can't help but be dragged into it. Why just yesterday I had my i-pod on listening to a CBC podcast, while slurping a latte and jaywalking across six lanes of traffic with a tram bearing down on me. Well, not quite, but in busy, "most-liveable-city-in-the-world" Melbourne one rarely lets traffic stand in the way!
Footy has also come front and centre in our lives. Already proud owners of this footy ball from the Hawthorne Hawks, we are (Colin) madly collecting player cards, have our eye on a footy guernsey (sleeveless jersey), we cheer for a guy by the name of Lance 'Buddy" Franklin, watch 3-4 games on the weekend, and are planning to attend our first game at the MCG in a few weeks. The hype is enough to put the Leafs to shame and you can't help but to get into it. Most recently the papers are full of the latest scandal to rock the AFL - a drunk driving episode that handed two Collingwood Magpies players with season long suspensions. Actually, Australians call it drink-driving not drunk - who knows why. What's interesting is that they were suspended for lying to club officials more than they were for the crime of drink driving. It would seem besmirching the honour of the club is far more heinous a crime than being pissed behind the wheel. Here again one gains interesting insights into the culture. Seems these boys like a few "frothies" after the match and can't seem to stay out of trouble. Makes for great reading on a slow newsday.
And finally, this Ozblogger must report from the Vegemite files. Yuuucch! What on earth would possess anyone to like, produce, promote, or eat that stuff? Three of us tried a pinhead sized portion last night (Allie was the wise one) just so that we could say we had - sort of like the Oz equivalent to kissing the cod in Newfoundland (might you say we got "Veggied-in"?) - and thankfully I was able to keep my dinner down. We may move to the slightly more consumer-friendly Nutella in the coming weeks but we may also stick to the good ol' reliable PB and J!
That's all for now on this lovely, but quiet, day down under.
2 comments:
Want me to send some Nealer nchos to dip in the vegemite!?
Better yet, I will send Raincoast Crips and you can spread some on the crisps, take a picture and I will send to Lesley Stowe - she will surely be, as Lint says, MORTIFIED!
Vegemite is actually pretty good with peanut butter. Well, Marmite is, anyway. I understand that the Vegemite that those heathen Aussie eat is similar, although no doubt slightly inferior!
I'm glad I've raised my Canadian girls to like Marmite. It seems to be a taste that cannot be acquired. Next up, licorice.
I'm enjoying the blog! (Found it off the Maurice Cody website.)
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