Cyclones, Wooly's, and Macca's

It's been just over 2 weeks since we've arrived at the Sunshine Coast and each day has brought some sort of new experience for me. We arrived during the onset of a level 5 cyclone that was further down the coast which meant the weather conditions were rainy and windy for our first 4 days. The rain didn't stop us from going out and exploring, though. Olivia, Rachel, Amber, and I walked to campus in the rain in hopes of seeing Kangaroos, and boy did we find them. And like typical tourists seeing their first kangaroo, we took about a thousand pictures.

         

During this time we also had our first trip to the grocery store, courtesy of our new Australian friend Sam. Oddly enough, this is when I first experienced culture shock. There were so many people rushing around and so many different brands and labels I had never seen that my head was swimming. Not to mention we were bumping into people because in America we're accustomed to walking on the right side of an aisle whereas here people walk on the left side. It was extremely overwhelming, but I survived and have conquered Wooly's three times since that first traumatic trip. I'm practically a seasoned pro by now.

When the rain finally cleared up we had our first impromptu Australian beach experience in Kawana on our way back from 7/11. Shortly after we took the bus to Noosa Heads and found the beautiful and secluded Tea Tree Beach. The view was unlike anything I had ever seen before and there is no doubt in my mind I will be going back there in the near future. Olivia and Amber learned to paddle board (which I plan on doing at some point during my stay on the coast) and we had a delicious lunch accompanied by outrageously overpriced Mango Daiquiris to celebrate the sunny weather.  

  

The next couple of days held our trip to the Australian Zoo where we cuddled Kangaroos and saw an incredible bird show, got working Australian phone numbers, ate at McDonald's (AKA Macca's), and started our first week of classes. I could write paragraphs about how beautiful and amazing this place is but I know that words could never do it justice. The culture here is so care-free and I have yet to meet someone who is unkind. It is already feeling like home here and I can't wait to see what the next couple of months have in store for me! Until next time!

Sincerely,
Julie