Twelve things I didn’t expect to learn about Australia
There are many things I don’t know about Australia and many things I expected to be completely clueless about. Pre-arrival I had fond fantasies about late night beach barbies surrounded by flaxen haired men with torsos you could play the bongos on. I visualized balmy summer nights set to a Summer Bay soundtrack, and a city full of frivolous fun loving people who were scantily clad.
Well, half of that’s true, but there’s a lot more to Sydney than Neighbours would have you believe. For starters, just because they’re a 24 hour plane ride away doesn’t mean the life here isn’t as complex and prevaricated as it is on our shores, the weathers just better, that’s all. Their economy has been hit, they’re experiencing forest fires- the mere fact of balmy sunshine in March does not mean automatic serotonin boosters for every citizen.
Every city has a distinct personality, so I can’t even qualify the title in all fairness, as since you can’t bunch LA and New York together, likewise it’s unfair to assume Sydney speaks for all of Oz. My experience has been slightly coloured by hanging out 24/7 with my gay friend (how else would I have realized North Bondi beach was the gay part?), but there are some major differences/ cultural experiences that stood out for me.
1. A hotel is not a hotel, unless it has a lobby.
Seriously, they have the Exchange Hotel, the Art Hotel, the Kings Cross Hotel- and they’re all bars and clubs. And don’t let a sign that says ‘beds available’ fool you, as that may be just a kinky invitation. Look for a lobby if you want a room, or stay and drink. In a strange reverse fashion, somewhere labelled ‘bar’ is not a hotel, but is normally a really terrible bar, so go to a hotel. You get the idea. Read more…