Australia musings...

Some of the things that I love about Australia:

• The people are super friendly - I haven't yet been into a shop without someone greeting me and asking how I am.
• The shops - not that I can afford to go shopping yet, but there are so many shopping malls around it's crazy. I love that once again I can shop all day while it is raining outside and not get wet (stupid London and it's High Street shopping).
• Drivers - while I still don't really know my way around and driving itself is quite overwhelming, I have found that the actual drivers here are great. They drive like normal, sane people just trying to get somewhere, not racing around, cutting people off etc. The other day I was reading my map book (I was lost - again) and didn't notice the light change green, so I got a gentle hoot from the person behind me and nothing more - no finger, no shouting, and even a little nod when I apologised.
• The landscape - I love that I have the beach and the mountains all within a half hour or so drive from our house. There are so many walks available, winerys we can visit, activities on the beach - the things we can do outdoors are endless.
• On a similar note, the parks - there are so many parks in the residential areas, and they all have climbing things/swings etc for children, and they often have gym equipment for adults.

I know this list isn't very long yet, but I haven't actually experienced that much yet - I need to have a steady income again before I can get out there and actually see the Gold Coast, and Australia, for what it is. But I am getting there...

But, there are also a few things that I dislike:

• Roundabouts - they love them here, they are EVERYWHERE, I actually start to feel a bit dizzy when I drive.
• The new housing developments - they all look the same. If I hadn't seen a different area name on the road signs, I could think that I was in the same area I had started in.
• The price of food and booze - it's really expensive here.
• BBQ's - I could get killed for this one, but putting some sausages on the grill, slapping them between a piece of bread and putting on T-Sauce just isn't the same as marinated steak, boerewors, potato bake and salad!
• And lastly - I don't actually feel safer here than how I felt in SA. Maybe it's just too ingrained in me to make a difference. The other day I was sitting at home with the front door wide open because I was waiting for a delivery. Meanwhile a few streets away a guy was breaking into someone's house, tying them up at knife point and robbing them. I guess the crazies are everywhere, and it doesn't make me feel safer than I did at home.

Just a few thoughts on my time here so far....