Give Way

So here I am, in Sydney, Australia; cold and excited. It’s been surreal walking about town, reminding myself to look the opposite way when crossing the street. It doesn’t feel like I’m on the other side of the world. But I most certainly am, and this blog will be the evidence of that.

The title of this first entry comes from the signs on the street. Here in Sydney, they use the same triangular signs with the red border, but instead of the word “yield” it says “give way.” I thought the phrase “give way” is very representative of my plans for my time in Oceania. For the next year, I am planning to give way to everything. I’ll give way to Australian (and Kiwi, German, Dutch, Malaysian, Chinese, French, Egyptian, etc. UNSW is a VERY international school) accents. I’ll give way to 1 and 2 dollar coins that I keep losing in my purse. I’ll give way to very expensive food and paying rent fortnightly. I’ll give way to Aussie slang and winter in July. I’ll give way to Vegemite, meat pies, and always calling French fries chips. I’ll give way to birds that look like they belong in our zoos, living the life of a pigeon.

I’m giving way to every invitation and all this country has to offer…and then some. In the 5 days I’ve been here I’ve visited two beaches, taken a cruise of the Sydney harbor, toured old Sydney and gotten a crash course in its history, gone bird watching, gotten lost on the bus, and taken at least ten walks. I’m really excited to be here, and I won’t let the experience be lost on me!

Some noteworthy/interesting things:

• At two different, unrelated events (during the tour of Sydney and the welcome event for international students) the Aboriginal tribes have been recognized. Sydney’s land was taken from the Gadigal people (most of who died from smallpox when the Europeans first arrived) and at both of these events the Gadigal people were acknowledged and thanked. I thought it was awesome and definitely a practice that we should adopt.
• There’s no central heating in my house and it’s like 45 degrees outside.
• I’m quite easily recognizable as American once I open my mouth. Although someone almost thought I was Canadian because I was so nice to them (their words).