Well my first few days here have been very long. I can't believe I've only been here for a little more than 24 hours! My starting flight to Los Angeles wasn't too bad. I actually sat by a woman from Brisbane who spent a lot of the flight giving me advice on Australia and Facebook friended me if I need any help later. After arriving in LA, I started my 12 hour layover. It was a pretty long wait and nothing really seemed to be going right, but I did meet a few interesting people on the way. I met two guys who live in the same building and doing the same program as me and a nice older Australian man who told me he liked my accent! The plane ride wasn't too exciting either, but the food wasn't too bad and I got to see two movies that I have been wanting to see, About Time and The Butler. They were both good, but I do recommend The Butler it was incredible, especially if you are into American history. I managed to few hours of sleep on the plane too.
When I arrived I was greeted by a man with a sign that said Griffith University and had my name under it. After getting the group together and trying a Tim tam (sooo good), we headed to the Gold Coast. As soon as I got to the apartment, I looked around a little and than ran to take a shower. My apartment is pretty nice and I have a pretty good view. When I finally got my wifi set up I had a message on Facebook about a meet up at the beach at 2. So my roommates and I went to the pool for a little while and than Erin and I went and got lunch. I had a burger and chips (fries) with tomato sauce (ketchup). Nothing too special just at a nice beach side cafe. After that we wandered around the surfers paradise mall until 2. At 2 we met up with a big group of exchange students. I met people from Finland, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, and other people from the US. I have never met a Nico before and today I met 4! In the words of Erin Von Eber, "If any of us get lost we can just play Nico Polo!" We had a great time at the beach talking and swimming. I do need to invest in a beach towel though! Afterwards we went to the grocery store with a new friend and back to the apartment to relax a little. I passed out for a few hours and than a lot of our new friends came over to hang out and we eventually ended up going to a club by the beach. I had a great time meeting all these new people and I am so excited to get to know them all better. Now I just need to make friends with someone who is actually Australian! Also has any one seem February 18th because I seem to have missed it?
Fun Facts/ Interesting Observations
Burger King is called Hungry Jacks here.
Apparently in Mexico baby Jesus delivers the presents instead of Santa.
The switches are opposite here. (Switch down to turn the lights on)
I keep thinking cars don't have drivers because they sit on the other side.
A lot of the words are shortened. (University = Uni and McDonald's = Maccas)
The birds are more exotic and make weird noises.
According to Laura, Australians can't dance.
Today we got a tour of campus and learned how to use the bus pass. It is actually not too intimidating! I got to meet all the fellow exchange students who are living in the same apartment as me. They all seem really nice and I am excited to live by so many awesome people! Well that is all for now. Here are some pictures I have taken while over here!
There is a sand sculpting contest going on right now.
This one is supposed to be the Trojan Horse.
The gateway to Surfer's Paradise.
My new Uni!
I'm official!
This is the view from my balcony!
And finally I am gonna leave you with a song by Cody Simpson off of the Album, Surfer's Paradise (his hometown and where I am living).
Much Love,
Erica no longer in America
