Oh and then in the morning she brought Bandit over who took a bath with Fala... we figured they were about at that stage in their relationship that it is okay to get "clean" together.
Well, today... maybe yesterday... not quite sure...
Okay lets try this:
On the 25 of July, we woke up in Cains at 3 in the morning to catch a 6-ish flight to Sydney. The flight was a good 3 hours or so. We had the opportunity to buy breakfast at the airport but the line was practically out of security, so i waited to eat on the plane. Well after spending five minutes picking the rasins out of the cereal, I tried it and it was nasty (ironic me saying that, right?) and the bread had chunksk of some kind of dried fruit in it, so i figured i would get something at the next airport, didn't happen. The flight was uneventful, i watched Smart People (couldn't sleep take 1) which wasn't a bad movie... it just didn't have too much of a plot.
We landed in Sydney on time and had to go through customs to leave the country, it wasn't much but it was time consuming, so by the time we arrived at the gate (which consisted of like 20 seats and was way two small for a 727) we had five minutes untill they began boarding late. So they tried to do it in 20 minutes and we still ended up sitting at the gate with the doors closed for an hour.
The flight back to LAX was only 13 hours this time, (couldn't sleep take 2) I watched four episodes of Two and a Half men, three episodes of Back to You, Definatly,Maybe, Vantage Point and Drillbit Taylor. And then i finally fell asleep, only to wake up in an hour to a flight attendant and Laura staring at me asking if i want breakfast. I responded with "I don't know" "I think you should" "Okay, then" "Would you like coffee?" "YES!". That flight i didnt really eat anything either. Once again uneventful, i didnt crash on The Island, and i didn't even realized we landed, i was like "Oh more turbulance...why is everyone clapping?"
So then we go through customs and all, which wasn't terrible, except we were all terrified (by all I mean me) that they wouldn't let us back into the countnry, having been to that farm... and that they would confiscate my "Lucky Kangaroo Pouch". So I get up there and the man asks me my name and i FROZE and after what seemed like an eternity I replied "N**** B************* New Jersey... Sir..." I actually said SIR. He let me through, he must not have read the back of the customs form, Im probably gonna be abducted by the FBI or something soon. Then at baggage claim they had that stupid beagle again and i was terrified of it, trying to aoid its sniffing my bag.
Okay so thats that and now we are wandering around the airport looking for food, texting, and shopping in the Duty free shop. We saw this man who is on some basketball team (I could honestly care less) who could barely fit through the bathroom door, i felt bad for him. Anyway i was online for Starbucks when Rose starts calling me over (and now i am scared) she tells me my mom is on the phone so naturally ( Its my MOTHER talking to ROSE) i answer "whadido?" As it turns out my mommy missed me and wanted me to call her from a payphone so i did, and then IT happend. Natalias mom (who came to suprise Natalia on her birthday) gets an e-mail from Lena's mom saying that our flight has been delayed untill 5, so we baisically had another 4 hours in that airport after being their for like 4 (maybe Im exaggerating by a half hour). So you can imagine how pissed off we were. I took another nap only for an hour, and then the Leaders whipped out the p2p credit card to get us all dinner at Burger King (No longer Hungry Jacks) I finally get up there and order a small fry and a small soda (which of course was medium because this is america and thats as small as it gets!) and Tara says "Your only getting a SMALL fry and a SMALL soda! Your not eating again untill like two! Get some Chicken nuggets!" Sure she was joking/serious. but i still had to get the chicken nuggets. The flight was uneventful, the people i was between both slelpt so i watched Horton Hears a Who, and listend to... well i can't remember the name...
When I got to Newark it was a short sad walk to our parents, and i actually started crying while hugging Dad. Mom and Sammi were also there. I did my rounds, saying goodbye to all my new friends, crying some more. And when I got the the car, guess who was there...FALA!!!!!! yay!! We went to Omega Diner and i didnt get to sleep untill 4.
In Total i spent 38 hours awake today, Kinda like a Crack Addict in the no sleep matter!
]]>"I've ate ants, camels kangaroo - ants, camels and kangaroo. Love you. Bye."
Gross.
]]>That's all I can remember, I'll update more if anything else comes back to me.
]]>Then onto the new parliment building which is actually alot like ours. Derek was emo the entire time lol he is right behind me, now billy is emo. Derek thinks he is amazing, Ill let u decide!
Ive been having loads of fun! Tomorow we drive back up to sydeny --four hours-- and flying to darwin --4 hous-- where it is 90 instead of like 50 its freezing! like two sweatshirts scarf gloves cold.
I saw some kanaroos today, and a few babies, they are adforable! i totally wann take one home, thy are kinda like deer, but so much cuter
They ave a lot of serious bikers her and lots of bike lane sf for them, mom u woul d like it!
Okay so see ya! Ill write again soon hopefully!
]]>i got a pretty koala necklace
sorry
]]>Okay so after the airport we headed to the Olympic stadium, i have to admit i was pretty disappointed... they removed the track! But the aquatic centre was awesome! besides the fact the pools were gorgeous, we spent the entire time in the hot tubs... but you see first we had to take this swim test to get on this coolio floaty thing but the line was too long so we ditched.Oh but the good thing about the stadium was i was able to stand on the actual first place platform from the olympics, now thats once in a lifetime! Then back to the hotel.
Tonight i am rooming with Natalia and Learice. After a very short break because our room keys didnt work, we went to the lizard lounge for dinner... wasnht the best. Its weird they tell us to try new food s but they aregiving us like bugers and fish and chips, but i am trying to try ANYTHING new. Afterward we went to the aquarium where i saw a duckbilled platypus and a seal that wanted to eat me, i woul dtell more but i have to cut to the chase. So when we got back to the hotel we were all very tired, so we tried to cram into the elevator instead of waiting. Then after the door closed we realized we had **16** people when the limit was 13. So the elevator began to ascend and dropped (not far) and this happened avout 3 times before it stopped. we were so f**ed. 16 people in an elevator not much larger then a simple bed. and i FREAKED. all i could think was "is there enough air?" "what if it falls again?" "we are in sooo much trouble" Finally the technition came and was able to get us out, but not without us droppinh several times.
Im not jet lagged at all because i got like 8.5 hours of sleep on the plane.
They have strange ketchup packets here that squirt all over me!
]]>Anyways we went to Dunkin Donuts for "Brekkie" (Using my Aussie jargon) and, as you may or may not know, whenever I eat in Dunkin Donuts (at least with Katherine) something bad happens. i.e the deaths of both Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith, well today the news was plasterd with delays in LAX due to thunder storms... yay me! Oh, and the seccond page of the newspaper? Plane Crash! honestly g-d has it out to get me... so i put 5 bucks in my tzedekah box.
Oh and then I had another fourth of my "chokkie" cupcake it was yummy!!!
Well then, I have to go put my P2P uniform on...its not really a uniform btw... and run to Barne's and Noble's for some Madlibs, so "Hooroo mates"!! Talk to you in "Oz". Hopefully I'll have a new entry up every few days!
**Key**
Brekkie- Breakfast
Chokkie- Chocolate
Hooroo- Goodbye
Mate- Friend
Oz- Australia
Way back in March my computer broke (to here that whole saga go here http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/kim/archives/003685.html It's kinda like Trapped in the Closet in that there in infinite parts) and basically i could choose between my music and my photography, and everyone who knows me knows that i chose the latter. So for the past few months I have been avoiding syncing my iPod with the fear of loosing all my songs. But now mommy came to the rescue and found some of my music but not all, so now i am at the crossroads of having my music, or risking my music to put Finding Nemo on my iPod, and once again i think i am leaning towards the latter because lets face it, Nemo is the $h*t. So i will figure that one out later.
In the mean time I'm off to burn my tongue off with Indian (funny how i hate spice though) and later Ice 80 kangaroo cookies...hmm maybe I'll post a pic later...
Well anyways...
...SEE YA IN AUSTRALIA!!!!!!
So here is the real reason I'm posting the picture from Kingda Ka!
Oh and Happy Half Birthday Allison!!!
]]>2008 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
ABH: BOOMERANG
People to People Ambassador Programs | Dwight D. Eisenhower Building | 1956 Ambassador Way
Spokane, WA 99224-4001 | 800-669-7882 | Fax 877-284-4517
ABH 07/08-1 Updated 4/10/2008
JULY 8 – 25, 2008
TUESDAY, JULY 8
Depart for Sydney, Australia
• Greet your fellow Ambassadors in your departure city before boarding your
international flight to Sydney, Australia.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9
En route to Sydney, Australia
• Lose a day as you cross the International Date Line en route to Sydney,
Australia.
THURSDAY, JULY 10
Sydney, Australia
• Meet your Delegation Manager upon arrival at Sydney Airport.
• Welcome to Sydney, Australia! The largest city in Australia and the capital of
New South Wales, Sydney is uniquely set on the natural harbor of Port Jackson.
• Visit the Sydney Aquatic Centre and ANZ Stadium at the site of the 2000
Summer Olympics.
• Go beneath the sea at the Sydney Aquarium for a chance to discover fascinating
marine life.
• You will have an opportunity to take a swim at the Aquatic Centre so make sure
you have your swimmers and towel in your carry on luggage.
• May we suggest comfortable walking shoes for your time in Sydney?
FRIDAY, JULY 11
Sydney, Australia
• Learn about Australia’s national gemstone, the opal, during a cutting and
polishing demonstration at an opal establishment.
• Cruise Sydney Harbor, see the city’s highlights, and learn about its amazing
history.
• Experience the history of Hyde Park Barracks, and discover what life was like for
the convicts sent to Australia.
• Enjoy a guided orientation of the majestic Sydney Opera House complex.
• Tonight dine at a Sydney restaurant overlooking the famous Darling Harbour.
SATURDAY, JULY 12
Vision Valley, Australia
• Participate in fun, interactive and challenging workshops designed to help
develop leadership skills, set personal goals, and step outside your comfort zone.
• For your “Full On” experience, please be sure to bring a warm hat, gloves,
clothes for layering, and a medium weight coat that is water-resistant.
2008 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
ABH: BOOMERANG
People to People Ambassador Programs | Dwight D. Eisenhower Building | 1956 Ambassador Way
Spokane, WA 99224-4001 | 800-669-7882 | Fax 877-284-4517
SUNDAY, JULY 13
Canberra, Australia
• This morning, say goodbye to New South Wales and head to Canberra.
• Canberra was selected as the capital of Australia in 1908 because it was
diplomatically situated between archrivals Sydney and Melbourne.
• Take an interactive tour of the Australian Institute of Sport, Australia’s training
ground for elite athletes.
• Eat lunch in the athlete’s dining room.
• Go behind the scenes of Australia’s New Parliament House and learn more
about Australia’s system of government and political history.
MONDAY, JULY 14
Darwin, Australia
• Discover the suburb of Yarralumla which houses the many embassies and
consulates. Be sure to keep your eye out for the American embassy.
• See how Australia has participated in armed conflicts all over the world at the
Australian War Memorial.
• Enjoy lunch at Gold Creek Station, a highly noted pastoral property just outside
Canberra.
• Head back to Sydney to board your flight for Darwin, in the Northern Territory.
TUESDAY, JULY 15
Darwin, Australia
• Orientate yourself with the city of Darwin.
• Find out about the government of the Northern Territory.
• Have a close encounter with a crocodile at Crocodylus Park and try to spot
crocodiles lurking in the murky waters.
• Explore the Northern Territory Museum and keep your eye out for “Sweetheart”.
• Take a drive through East Point Reserve to discover both the history of the area
and Australia’s military role during WWII.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
Kakadu National Park, Australia
• Discover the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre to spot water buffaloes and
learn about the management and preservation of the environment.
• Explore Kakadu National Park, world heritage listed and jointly managed by its
traditional Aboriginal owners and Director of National Parks. You may recognize
some of its landscape from the movie Crocodile Dundee.
• Take a scenic cruise on the East Alligator River on the border of Kakadu National
Park and Arnhem Land. Arnhem Land is one of the largest Aboriginal Reserves
in Australia and is perhaps best known for its remoteness, its art, and the
strong continuing traditions of its Indigenous inhabitants.
2008 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
ABH: BOOMERANG
People to People Ambassador Programs | Dwight D. Eisenhower Building | 1956 Ambassador Way
Spokane, WA 99224-4001 | 800-669-7882 | Fax 877-284-4517
• Watch sunset from Ubirr Rock for an amazing view across the wetlands and
escarpments
• Keep your eye out at sunset for kangaroos and other Australian wildlife
THURSDAY, JULY 17
Katherine, Australia
• Journey to Nourlangie Rock, home of Namargon, who is better known as
Lightning Man
• Look for ancient rock art painted by the Aboriginal people 20,000 years ago
• Discover Edith Falls, traditional known as Leliyn, and if time permits take a swim.
FRIDAY, JULY 18
Katherine, Australia
• Head to Manyallaluk, home to the Jawoyn people, and learn more about
Bushtucker and traditional bush medicines from your Aboriginal guides.
• Interact with the local aboriginal people by learning how to throw a boomerang.
SATURDAY, JULY 19
Darwin, Australia
• See the beautiful, cascading waterfalls and the giant, magnetic termite mounds
at Litchfield National Park.
• Take a swim at the picturesque Wangi Falls (at your leader’s discretion).
• Return to Darwin this evening to prepare for you early flight to Cairns
SUNDAY, JULY 20
Home Stay – Cairns, Australia
• Bid farewell to Darwin and catch your flight to Cairns, North Queensland.
• Cairns is a coastal cosmopolitan city is nestled in northern Queensland amid two
of Australia’s most treasured World Heritage destinations, the Wet Tropics
Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. A committee chooses World Heritage
sites from several nominated locations all over the world, which represent a
significant “cultural or natural heritage”.
• Tonight, meet your home stay family and stay with them for two nights.
• Be sure to bring your pictures of friends and family back home, as your host
family will enjoy seeing them.
MONDAY, JULY 21
Home Stay – Cairns, Australia
• Your home stay continues with a chance to experience everyday life in Australia
and meet the locals.
• This is your opportunity to make lifelong friends.
• Remember to thank your home stay family as this will be your last night with
them.
2008 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
ABH: BOOMERANG
People to People Ambassador Programs | Dwight D. Eisenhower Building | 1956 Ambassador Way
Spokane, WA 99224-4001 | 800-669-7882 | Fax 877-284-4517
TUESDAY, JULY 22
Cairns, Australia
• Don’t forget to exchange address information so you can keep in touch!
• Bid farewell to your home stay family.
• Gain an understanding of the Royal Flying Doctors Service. They are the life line
for medical assistance for many Australian families that live in the remote
Outback.
• Ride through the rainforest in a World War II amphibious vehicle, an Army Duck,
which can traverse land and water.
• Encounter Australia’s unique fauna, such as koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, and
wombats at a wildlife sanctuary.
• Have your photo taken with a koala.
• Participate in a bush dance.
• Don't forget to pack your day bag for tomorrow with sunscreen, sun hat, swimsuit
and towel. An underwater camera will capture those magical moments on the
Reef!
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
Cairns, Australia
• Cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef across pristine waters.
• Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and see brightly colored tropical fish, giant clams
and different types of soft and hard coral.
• Any questions that may arise out of your exploration of the Reef, take to the
Marine Biologist that joins your delegation for this experience.
THURSDAY, JULY 24
Cairns, Australia
• Spend the morning learning to be a river guide on the Mulgrave River
• Stroll along the Esplanade in Cairns and maybe take a swim in the lagoon
• Dine at a restaurant in Cairns
• Peruse the local Cairns night markets for a last minute Australian memento to
take home with you.
• After packing your suitcase for the last time, make sure you have everything you
need for the flight, in your carry-on.
FRIDAY, JULY 25
Depart for the U.S.
• Board the coach to the airport for your return flight to the United States.
Exciting right? I cant wait for : a. Day one the aquatic centre
b. The home-stay
c. Holding a koala!
d. The Great Barrier Reef
Okay so today i went on Kingda Ka, most of you should know what that is, incase not i snagged this for you from YouTube
I felt like i was being driven 127 mph (no lie) into concrete. It was terrifying, hopefully i will have a pic up tomorow though.
Thats all,
G'night!
So... akward turtle!!! ahh!!
peace out cub scouts!
]]>