I always felt the most important part about traveling is to observe, participate in, and understand the respective country's culture(s). If only we practiced this in our everyday lives, how different our world might be - but that's a whole other blog. I'm doing a little subsection blog, if you will, on idiosyncrasies, differences, and general observations on culture, environment, language, really anything and everything. I'm excited to share with you about what I learn in school, but I feel that what I learn from living is infinitely more valuable, and thus the most important to share. Plus, some of these experiences of venturing out of your comfort zone and putting yourself in an unfamiliar and different environment produce really funny results sometimes.
Exhibit A: Kate, Lina, and I had stopped into a coffee shop in Paddington to take a break from walking and caffinate ourselves to get over the jet lag. We got onto the topic of Queensland sports teams and which teams we should start rooting for. Quite confused by all the leagues and various teams within Queensland and Brisbane, we asked our server which teams he rooted for and which teams we should root for. He chuckled and responded with the names of a few teams I've since forgotten. We continued with our conversation and trying to decipher all these teams and have noticed the family sitting next to us frequently taking pause, looking at us, and chuckling. Others were not laughing as much as just staring. Anxious to get back to exploring and a little put off by the attitudes of the other customers, we wrapped up our break and came to the conclusion that we should really just root for all the teams and call it a day. It wasn't until later on in the afternoon that we learned the word "root" here, means "to fuck." Needless to say we haven't returned to the coffee shop in Paddington.
Excessive use of up-lighting: The other night I was traveling by way of bus coming back from school. Since I'm bad with directions and didn't want to get off at the wrong stop, I was being hypersensitive and vigilant about my surroundings. In my very aware state, I noticed all the trees that lined Coronation Drive (the main street that runs along the Brissy River) had dramatic and super colorful up-lighting. Each tree was illuminated from the ground to cast a glow of vibrant colors onto it. Then I started thinking about buildings that I've seen in the CBD that also have the same type of lighting. This one beautiful casino in the CBD (pictured in Farmers Market in last post) is lit up in bright fuchsia at night. While a ferris wheel across the river is lit up in bright purple and a bridge over the river is bright blue. I don't know if this night illuminating technique is used elsewhere in OZ, but Brisbane seems to be all about the bright and dramatic up-lighting effects. If there is a bland looking stationary object in Brissy, the up-lighting police (city decorations committee, perhaps?) will find it and they will up-light it with a magnificently bright color. It's kind of odd, but no other city could really pull off this extreme night lighting quite like Brissy.
Smoking in Australia and the policies of government regulation under universal health care: Boy am I glad I am a reformed smoker in this country! I noticed last time I was here that a pack of cigarettes averaged about $14.00 AUD a pack, packs of cigs usually have a large grotesque picture of a cancerous lung, and there are signs above the cigarette stand that read in large letters "smoking kills" and phone numbers for quitting help lines. It's nothing short of obvious that the government doesn't want it's citizens smoking. I asked Michael about it recently and he said the federal government is taking even further preventative measures in the near future by raising the tax on cigarettes again and taking all branding off the packs. Why this would never fly in America - we value (or perhaps are too scared to change?) the freedoms associated with free market enterprise and the tobacco lobbying dollars that line our politicians pockets would never allow for it. Prime example of the downside of capitalism (I know, strong words). For a country providing universal health care, it is in the government and the people's best interests to try to regulate tobacco use. In Australia, people with smoking related cancers and other smoking related illnesses are considered a huge economic drain on society. I wish I could say the governments regulations on tobacco products is the direct result of a love story between a government and it's people, but it is simply more profitable for Australia to keep it's citizens healthy, than to generate revenue through tobacco sale. It's almost too logical, isn't it?
Things about Australia I'm not sure I will ever get used to: No toilet seat covers in public bathrooms - my legs have gotten noticeably stronger from hovering; you're waking up, I'm going to sleep. Weird.; Australia's roadkill (kangaroo) is significantly larger than most American household pets - I thought I was going to need therapy after our drive home from the farm
I'll continue to update you as I continue to learn. I will probably revisit old topics too as I learn more about them, specifically health care since it's such a hot button issue back in the States.
But enough about me, I'm kind of curious to hear your thoughts on all of this. Especially seeing as this particular post got a little controversial. If you'd like to discuss, debate, question, or comment on this post or any of them, you can click on the word "comment." We can also discuss privately too if you prefer.
Controversially yours,
Jillian aka - Jilly, Jillypet, Jillybean, J-Dilla, J-Bones, and sometimes Crab Cakes
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