Sunday, June 19, 2011

Im Going out with a BANG!!

It was the last day of my Australian Experience. June 4th I was packing up and getting ready to to take a bus to Sydney...get on a plane to New Zealand..and land to my final destination... San Francisco. I said my goodbyes and I was ecstatic to see my roomie Elise one final time! We spent the day together and once I was done packing I had four suitcases and two carry-ons. I had no idea how I was suppose to carry everything but I knew it would all work out. In our last hours together Elise and I had a visitor sent our room. It was a rat. We spent the night leaving trails and trying to block the rat from getting under the bed. It was pretty hilarious watching Elise use the broom to poke out the rat while screaming. Neither of us could move and we were both terrified to do anything. Once the rat made its way all around the room I finally poked out of a shoe and OUT of the ROOM. I have to say...I wouldn't have spent that day any other way!

PS...the highlight of my plane ride was meeting some Rugby Players who play for the New Zealand Warriors!
Elise on top of the desk! haha

The trail Elise made

Final push

Feejee

I am adding to my blog even though I am already home because I still want to remember my AMAZING experience in Fiji. I went to Fiji to get away from the -3 degree weather in Canberra. I arrived with welcoming Fijians and a shell necklace. The weather was perfect and the Nadi Resort was gorgeous. I was staying in an eight bed room but it seemed like a 4 star resort! I went down for dinner and the people were so nice. The waitress even put a little flower in my hair in order to look pretty. The next morning I was ready to start my FeeJee experience. I was picked up with Kathryn (roommate), and I met Caroline and Nicola that same morning while loading on to the bus. We then picked up Niki, Ashley and last but not least our only boy Wolf (yes that is his real name) from their hostel. The four girls were from England and Wolf was from Holland. Our tour guides were Kay and Willie (who are the best people in the world)

We began our Experience getting to know each other on the bus and shopping around in Nadi for last minute items. We then went to a beach that was rated by Forbes as one of the top 25 beaches in the world. It was beautiful with low tides and a the cleanest sand ever. I went horseback riding around the beach and just relaxed not worrying about life. Our group then ate lunch made by Willie and Kay...then our adventure left off to go sand boarding! I really had no idea what sand boarding was and what it entailed. Basically its going down a sandy hill with a boogie board! I did it once...and never again. Definitely not my type of sport! ha. We then arrived to our first hostel, Mango Resort. The resort was beautiful in the day and the rooms had beds with nets. The bathrooms were the only disappointment, in any case, dinner came with a traditional Fijian show and then a good taste of cava. Cava is basically the alcohol used for ceremonies. Two cups of those numbs your mouth and you are definitely on a good one. That night was one of the best sleeps ever!







Our next stop was to Uprising Resort in Pacific Harbor. Before we could arrive to our hotel, tracking through the rain forest was the first stop. We prepared ourselves with shoes and some of (Ashley and Wolf) decided to go barefoot,. Little did any of us know that we were actually going through deep mud, rivers, and grass that left whips! I felt like I was on a mission from god because the bites and grass cuts covered both my legs! Fortunately we took a break and jumped around a waterfall and spent Fiji Time there. After that beautiful moment, it was back to tracking and we were headed out to eat. I personally was just excited to get food and take a nap. We then had a Coconut show which I vaguely remember because I was half asleep during it. I could not fall asleep for the life of me so I decided to take advantage of Happy Hour until it was time for dinner. Our dinner was delicious and I could not wait to go hang around the campfire. We all got together singing songs in a circle while drinking Bounty and Coke. Bounty is not your typical rum as one sip takes you to a different world! Niki, Willie, Kay, some locals, workers, and I stayed up until who knows when enjoying the drunken night. I left and one of the workers walked me to my room. We chatted and he ended up telling me that he gets paid 2 dollars an hour!!! WTF $2 an hour. I almost wanted to give him some of my money! It was definitely a very interesting night.


My dirty shoe! I had to throw away those sneakers!


Our Asian Pic

Haha this was an epic fail of a piggy back ride! All the girls felt like princesses!


The next day we were off to Volivoli where supposedly its amazing. We stopped at a Village before hand to see the schools , go bamboo rafting and enjoy a ceremony with Cava. By this time our group aka Vuvali (family) was closer than ever. We made jokes, sang, drank, and just enjoyed being with each other. I would have never thought that within four days I could be so close with a group of people. The school was really great to visit because the kids sang us songs and showed us their classrooms. We donated some school supplies for the school and also donated money if we wanted to. During the Cava ceremony the locals were great and we even had dancing. I was a but tipsy since we had not eaten all day and I had about five rounds of Cava, I don't think I was the only one feeling the numbness. We had our bamboo ride which consisted of me doing absolutely nothing because I had told Kay the day before after tracking, "I don't want to do anything but lay around tomorrow." He would just laugh at me and nod. After the bamboo ride we arrived at the hotel and it was our last night together. Of course we took advantage of the last night. Wolf and I dropped about $100 on alcohol (Which is like $55 American dollars) and had some Bounty with Coke and about ten 40s of beer between 5 people. Haha we even had to buy the 40s from the Fijian Black Market. Willie was drunk off his high horse and Wolf was turning pink from all the drinks. Willie (Willie is like grandpa style btw) told me about his family and that he actually owned a small island. One corporate company is after the land and offering all this money. Willie is definitely that old grandpa that is kind, funny, a bit out of his mind. I loved him!!! I could barely understand half the stuff he said but he was so just soo sweet. After scolding him about NOT selling his land, it made me think. These people have such great land, weather, and just a simple way of living. I hope they never become Westernized! Our society has no culture and our lives revolve around work and making money. I WISH I could avoid thinking about either subject! Anywho, we all stayed up until right around sunset with lots of hook-ups, almost hook-ups, and Willie trying to steal my bed. I will remember that night forever. Oh! I forgot to mention "THE BOY" on the FeeJee Experience bus you can hop on and off at any the stops. We had Niki and Wolf stopping at Volivoli and we picked up some guy (I obviously was NOT very welcoming) that I called the "The Boy." For some reason our group was not nice or helpful to him. We did not like him and even my nickname caught one. I did feel bad but even Willie said the girls on the trip were the BOSSES! haha






Our last day was a bit of a joke. We just ate Indian Food in someones kitchen then headed to a pond with mud and then a hot pond with mud. I really just wanted to go to the last hotel. Nicola, Caroline, and I treated ourselves to a nice hotel for our last night. It was heartbreaking leaving the group and especially saying bye to Kay and Willie. The last night we went to a final dinner and the next day was for shopping. We went to a local market where locals definitely try to hustle. It reminded me of the Mercados in Mexico! At that point I did not was to leave Fiji ever!!



My 40!!


I would have to say that this Fiji Experience was the best trip I have ever taken. It was fun and I met some pretty interesting characters. I will miss my Fiji Vuvali!!!

Some Words I learned from Kay, Willie, and Vinnie (tracking host)...

Wanavu- Awesome (my favorite word)
Toso- move it
Vuvali-family
Lako-Go
Fiji Time- Mexican Time just add 10min
Bula- Welcome, hello, thank you


Song we Sang while Tracking
"We like to Toso Toso
We like to Toso Toso
We like to....
Toso!!!"

Also: Fiji was first spelled Feejee when founded by Captain Cook

Some videos

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Euroka Kangaroos

Found these in the Blue Mountains!!! EUREKA!
This is the MAMA and BABY


This is the PAPA
He started scratching his balls after I took the picture...Thats how I knew.


Shop till we Drop!

I have returned to Sydney for the millionth time in order to finish visiting every possible monument, location, tree, and shopping market. Amelia and I took the adventure together and along the way we also used our networking skills to land us some contacts and work experience. We took the first day to shop and to eat at my favorite place, Pancakes on the Rocks. We literally walked all Sydney and stuffed our faces with yummy greasy food. Our favorite place was the infamous Paddy's Market located in Chinatown. This is where Bargaining works at its best. We went in for a couple of souvenirs but came out with Dolce & Gabbana purses...they were definitely well worth the extra money lost. After a long day (5pm) we went to our hostel the Elephant and napped. The hostel was definitely a great place for two girls and 20 dollars a night. The following day consisted of the Blue Mountains...




The Blue Mountains are a pretty interesting place because the location is not blue and the mountains are not mountains! ha. Yet, the forest, rides, and tour guide who looked like a really tall elf made the adventure fun. We woke up to a late bus picking us up. I enjoyed our morning conversation with fellow foreigners where we asked them if they were going to the Blue Mountains...the two girls looked back at us and just nodded...then five minutes later...
the two girls asked "Are you going to the Blue Mountains" ha!!
As one bus came the driver came out wobbling around as if he just downed 5 shots in a row and this was his first time standing up. He called out the foreigners name and the European girl nodded. They stared at each other for 30 seconds until he finally pointed at the car and she and her friend got on. I then approached him and he said that was the only name on the list. He then said "your probably on a better tour..." I could not help but thank god! As the bus left the two girls looked back in horror as if they were being deported back to their country. They were probably wondering if they were on the right bus since we didn't get on. After the long wait our bus finally came and the adventure began....

Throughout the tour we went to different areas of the blue mountains and got to see real Aboriginal Art. (well it was just rock) Amelia made some friends she called "kids" even though one of the kids was 25! We stopped at a cute little town where we had yummmmy soup and I bought birth control chocolate. The tour was great and it was nice to see something else besides city.




On the third day I was split from Amelia as she had work experience at a PR firm and I had a tour of the Star City Casino. My tour was great and I made a contact in case I ever want to return and possibly work there. The rest of the day was spent at the Chinese Gardens, more shopping, and watching an IMAX movie by myself (yes people I was alone). To my surprise as I sat to watch the movie I found myself surrounded by 3 people who also came alone. I guess sometimes you do just need that alone time. Our day was great and although we missed out on Roo burgers, Amelia made it to me by hiking up her tights every 5 seconds down Oxford Street while trying to get to the bus. I never want to leave Sydney! Well till next time!!..


Sunday, May 8, 2011

KAngaroo Search

It still continues...here is one i found alone in a stinky market...well more like found and bought! :)

I didn't know VATOS existed in Australia

I am usually never one to put  personal messages on blast but this was too good to not share...

I was recently (when i mean recently...like last month) messaged on facebook by a man named ooooh lets say DAVID...(just because I already know so many Davids) asking if I was Latina? The conversation goes like this...

DAVID: Hey are you Latina?

Me: Yes, and you are? (Thinking that I might of met him at a party or something)
-PS: I now know 5 Davids in this country and NO i did not add him as a friend

David: I'm David. I go to UC too

(From here im copying and pasting)

ME: r u in my classes or something? lol sorry i have met soo many davids


DAVID:no I do Graphic Design esa... Im not in any of ur classes lol.... u said yes to been latina or going to UC? coz im from Nicaragua
(Thinking: creepy.. how does he know me?)


Me: um yes to both...but i grew up in america..but born in mexico..thats coo
(I was trying to be nice, I figured he was a fellow hispanic)


David:oh thats cool esa... so ur chicana, dats nice... im going back to Live in L.A once im done here. what braught u to Australia, let alone Canberra in the first place??
(Thats when I noticed the ESA, and I then I noticed the pictures...I then acted very nice because i figured he could kill me)


Me: yea could u not say esa...lol...not exactly my favorite word...and im just here on exchange for the semester...lol. I actually like canberra im not sure why everyone hates it hahah. yea theres not much to do but hey its close to a lot of places. lol. why are u here? just studying?
(I was hoping to the end the conversation..and I DID)

So if you did not notice the use of "esa" within this conversation then you might not understand the culture factor I am discussing. I had no idea LA was in the Aussie house and especially someone who saw ME as an esa. hmmm...I guess I just don't see much respect for that word as I look more white washed than anything!! Anyways...I probably will get shot for posting this up but I could not help and find this HILARIOUS!! It was probably one the most surprising conversations I will ever have in Australia....or basically in my life. toodles*

A Footy Game

SOOo...I am aware of the fact that it has been over a month since I have blogged but due to laziness and nothing very exciting happening...I had to put a stop to my weekly routine. Anyways, I will give a short update on what has happened within the last month (Well from what I can remember)

I spent a lovely time with my parents in Sydney and Cairns where I got to swim, snorkel, and DIVE!!! I also got tipsy and had those deep adult conversations with them. Ha, I think they might prefer me after a few drinks. The trip was great and I got to meet some pretty interesting people. A few weeks later I made it to a girls trip in Melbourne. That city is definitely made for shopaholics. The big stores and shiny clothes made me want to click my red heels and say "I wish THIS was my home." The weekend was amazing except for the fact that I bruised my ankle falling multiple times down stairs at a club because well...you guessed it...I was drunk! But enough about that awesomness....let me continue...
The rest of the month continued on with homework, homework, party, homework. NOW to the part of the blog that I would like to discuss...

So in case you thought that there was only one form of Rugby... you would be completely wrong. Australians are serious about their Rugby ... I mean verrrry serious. There are many different types such as League, Union, NRL, AFL (don't even ask me if I am correct or what they stand for...I just nod along).

Apparently NRL is the thing to follow because according to hardcore fans..."AFL is for a bunch of ballerinas." I am definitely G-Rating the comment because I don't know how I feel about typing words that I can barely say out loud. Anyways, I was fortunate enough to attend TWO footy games. My team is the Canberra Raiders. I have no idea who is on the team and their stats BUT they remind me sooo much of the Oakland Raiders, I could not resist. (They are similar in that the fans are crazy and vulgar and they always seem to lose) I would definitely recommend attending one of these games because if you like action, hot guys, and crazy fans then this is the place to be. You would think the crazy fans are young immature adults, but again...
you would be wrong.

The majority of the fans yelling and cursing at the players and each other are over the age of 40 and women definitely get much into it as men. While attending one game there was a old lady almost spitting at a man for opposing her on a play. I personally found it hilarious how they both were going at it with two beers in each hand. At the other game, I thought I saw an old grandpa needing help to get up the stairs. NOPE he was trying to hold himself up while downing a can of beer. I could not resist but daydream about my old age and how I plan to be he crazy lady who sits in her front yard just staring at kids with the EVIL EYE.

Well, in any case, if you are in Australia, one requisite is to attend a Footy game (preferably NRL) because even if you have no idea what the hell is going on. Just relax and watch the fans for entertainment.

till next time...