Interesting Aussie Tidbits

Who can guess what this is?? If you guessed an Aussie toilet flusher button, you're right. You can perform a half or a full flush, depending on the need.
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So far we've been writing about our adventures in travelling here, there and (nowhere near) everywhere.  For this entry I thought it would be fun to some of the burning questions I know you've all been thinking about: what are some of the main differences between Australia and Canada? 

Well, here are some of our observations on life in Australia, as seen through our own eyes.

Contrary to popular belief, though, we have yet to hear anybody say, "G'Day mate", or, "Let's put another shrimp on the barbie".

We knew that the outlets would be different here, but it's interesting that you can have an on / off switch right on the outlet
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Yes, there is a distinct accent, and at first Heather was having a hard time figuring out what people were saying.  Now that we've been here for awhile we barely notice the accent.  Contrary to popular belief, though, we have yet to hear anybody say, "G'Day mate", or, "Let's put another shrimp on the barbie".  The term "mate" is quite common, making the term "friend" quite uncommon. 

Other (un)common words:

• nappy (= diaper)
• boot (= trunk...ie of a car)
• bonnet (= hood... again, of a car)
• reckon (= figure / think, as in, "What do you reckon we should have for supper?") 
• footpath (= sidewalk)
• blokes (=guys)
• sheilas (=girls)
• pashing (= kissing)
• no drama (= no big deal)
• heaps (= lots, as in "There's heaps of cool things to do")
• fair dinkum (= "It's a fair deal")
• sultanas (= raisins)
• capsicums (= peppers, like bell peppers

Aussie money. Check out the see thru windows in the corners.
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In general we've noticed that Aussies love to shorten words down and have them end in "y" or "ie".  For instance:

• Chrissy (= Christmas)
• prezzies (= presents)
• brekky (= breakfast)
• footy (= football)
• trackies (= track pants)
• barbie (= barbeque)
• leftie (= a left hand turn)

Sports is a huge way of life here, with cricket and "footy" (Australian Rules Football) being probably the two most popular sports to watch and play.  The closest thing we have to cricket in North America is probably baseball, but that analogy only covers the facts that in both sports a ball in thrown at a guy holding a bat who then tries to hit that ball.  Oh, and other players then try to catch the ball.  That's about where the similarities end.  Believe it or not, but there are cricket matches that literally last 5 days (test matches).  Scores often end up at something like 400 to 350.  More unbelievable is the fact that one team may spend the ENTIRE DAY at bat, and thus, accordingly, the other team is stuck in the outfield for the ENTIRE DAY.  How discouraging would that feel???  Especially when the temperature is around 40 degrees C?  Not to worry, though.  Cricket players get the benefit of being able to break for lunch as well as two tea breaks.  I usually pride myself on my ability to figure out a new sport or game just by watching it, but with cricket, I was pretty much lost.  It's too complicated.  I remember hearing a funny quote about what the definition of a tourist is here in Australia: "A tourist is someone who doesn't understand cricket".   Thankfully, everyone else not only knows, but loves the sport.  Moreover, people love to be able to tell a tourist all they ever wanted to know (and more, much much more) about it. 

King Kong loves his "Sultana Bran". I'm sure he'd like "Raisin Bran" just as much
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As for footy, it's kind of strange that no one has ever told us any of the rules or points of the game.  It looks like an intriguing sport though.  I've heard it compared to American "Gridiron" football, but with less pads.  I'm looking forward to watching a game sometime.

Aussies, generally speaking, are tremendously nice people.  Heather and I have been constantly impressed with an Aussie who has gone out of their way to give us a hand.  Like the guy we bought our car from, Tom.  Top bloke.  Like everywhere else you can get your real morons, but for the most part, Aussies are great.  Very friendly, generous and patriotic.

Snap, Crackle and Pop are alive and well in Australia, but here they're peddling "Rice Bubbles" instead of Rice Krispies
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I could probably go on and on, but that's all that comes to mind for the time being, so I'll leave it there. 

Adios,

Michael & Heather