When your traveling you tend to stereotype lots, especially with nationalities. It makes things easy to put everyone in their own little cater gory box. It seems to alleviate some fear, if we have some knowledge of what is really unknown to us, no matter how wrong these assumptions maybe. So stereotypes are formed. For example Germans have no sense of humor, wear thongs and always are first with their beach towels. Americans are all fat, loud and think they know more than God himself. The Japanese take photos and do the peace sign all the time. The French eat frog legs all the time smell of Cheese and always refuse to speak English, and so I don’t seem like a racist, the British are alcoholic, sun burnt, fighting sluts. Stereotypes are not just towards nationalities, but on countries themselves and so this brings me to my now destination of Australia. If I am honest, Australia has never been on the top of my list for places to visit. I listened to the stereotypes you see: It full of drunken backpackers, its not that beautiful, the people are uncultured, it’s really expensive, and there is nothing really that much there! Well I have one thing to stay. They are wrong! Ok, granted its not the cheapest place, (especially with alcohol and bread?), there are drunken backpackers (there young, what can I say!), but overall I have fallen in love with Australia. It is a beautiful country, with some of the most amazing scenery, the people are so friendly and the cities are some of the most sophisticated and cultured I have seen.
We arrived in Sydney and with it not being Asian prices anymore had to stay in the dreaded mixed dorms at one of the backpacker hostels. I never liked hostels when I was traveling 3 years ago. They are kind of like the backpackers version of 18 to 30. Our roomy, a fat Kiwi called Andy who worked at the hostel, seemed only to be satisfied if he had downed 26 Jaeger bombs and passed out on the floor, which he did most nights, snoring like a trooper. Ruined nights of sleep did not mar our experience of Sydney though. Everyone raves about Melbourne but I do believe that Sydney is probably the most beautiful city I have ever seen, with its beautiful harbor and beaches. We then flew to Melbourne, one to get away from the hostel and two to stay with our friends Jess and Rach. In fact Melbourne was one big social gathering, meeting up with people who we knew everyday. It’s funny but we maybe the other side of the world but with all the drinking, and eating out with friends I felt like I was back in London (except the sun is shining and the food is a lot better.) We then went to Rach’s mum’s ranch (or as I like to call it animal farm) for the weekend in Wilson’s prom. Had a great time but must say I have never experienced a barbeque where dogs, miniature ponies and a goat attended.
Its all-very well staying in the cities and living it up, but the cities are such a tiny part of Australia. So Jan and me have hired a camper van for our last 2 weeks here (Jan has named it Adolph.) So far we have not done to bad apart from my bad map reading and travel sickness and Jan driving a camper van like it’s a Porsche and leaving the lights on so the battery when flat (We had to get a load of locals to help us push it, so embarrassing!). I’m sure we will be fine but if you don’t see us again just tell the police to look for 2 skeletons and camper van called Adolph in the Bush somewhere!
OBSERVATIONS
• Australians have chavs too, but they call them borgins.
• Its seems to be the fashion among some Australians to have spiky mullets. Interesting!
• I think Jan might be a little bit strange as he has a fascination of taking pictures of road kill.
• I think I might trade Jan in for an up grade, as some of the specimens of male Aussies are very fine indeed, especially on the beach.
• Australia as the coolest cafes and shops going.
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