AUS11- Beachez with my Beachez

What an amazing weekend I have had! It all started with a $1 coffee, more or less. Yes, I found somewhere that sells $1 coffee. Actually, Natascha found it! Amazing things happen when your survival instincts kick in, eh? It is conveniently located at the nearest 7-eleven and sort of does taste like $1 coffee, but with undertones of discovery and pride. Here are a few more things about the coffee culture here that I do not think I have mentioned yet. Their large coffee is the size of a tall at starbucks. When I was handed my first large coffee over here I remember thinking that I'd have to order 5 at a time and then not have enough hands to carry them all. Maybe I could carry a gallon jug and just dump them all in? I'd get stares...ehh time to assimilate **the american is too strong**. You don't even want to know what the "small" coffee looks like. Unfortunately, this is what I am drinking until I find a job and can afford the extra .50 per coffee adventure. Another fun fact about their coffee is that, unlike our coffee shops, most are the same cost. You can get a long black (black coffee), short black (espresso), flat white, macchiato, or regular latte for the same cost. A mocha is usually a bit more expensive. I really wish I was one of those people who didn't enjoy chocolate. Why me, God?

We woke up early on Friday for a beach trip to Bondi! Bondi has been my laptop back ground for MONTHS and the fact that I was able to surf (and successfully so) on this beach felt like a dream. It was only $15 to rent a surfboard and a wetsuit for an hour. Not a bad price for a good time, a workout, and the convenience of not having to transport a board all the way there. In short, Ingrid and I dominated the ocean! Okay, maybe that is a slight exaggeration. We mostly just tried to stay out of everyones way and caught the smaller waves. We DOMINATED those smaller waves though! Any time we have a free day we plan to head to the beach for another surf session. We will be pros before you know it!

surfer girls

Ri's photography talent, yet again

impromptu badass photo

thanks surf camp

After our surf session we hurried back home. Our first rugby match was that night! Y'all, RUGBY IS AMAZING. I really felt at home - opposing fans yelling at each other and watching the athletes just run straight into one another. It was my LSU football season in Australia. Granted, the sport itself is much more intense. The players are more like super-humans, made out of concrete, and with the mental determination of a freight train. Mad props, bro.

Rooster Vs Bulldogs

Panorama attempt for Allianz Stadium

The best part about this rugby match is that it was completely free AND for school credit. I am enrolled in a class "Australian culture through sport" which includes many field trips to local sporting events. It is hard to believe that this is an actual academic class but I fa sho 'aint complaining. Our next trip is this weekend. It is a huge game of rugby union called the Bedisloe Cup. This game is going to be between the NZ all blacks and the Australian wallabies. I basically picked my team based on my limited wardrobe. The Aussies are gold/green and the NZ team is all black (obvi). I own a black shirt already so I guess I can be a kiwi for a day! It also helps that NZ is the #1 team at the moment ;)

Ingrid and I with our hot chips

The next day we went back to Newtown. Ri discovered an app that gives you a $15 bar tab when you register and boy did I take advantage. I felt like such a baller when I ordered an $18 martini. I felt even more pimpin when I closed a bar tab of $3. Holla heyyyyy. PSA: espresso martinis are just as delicious and pleasant as they sound

words cannot espresso how brew-tiful it was

On Sunday, we enjoyed breakfast on the rooftop and the plans for the day quickly morphed from library to beach. When in Australia....right? None of us had checked out Manly Beach yet so it was decided. Meet back downstairs in twenty! We all packed our backpacks, changed into our suits, and headed out for a pre-bus ride coffee. **walks to 7eleven**

This moment is when I really wished that my internet was good enough to process a video. I'll try to explain this to the best of my ability. Imagine someone trying to run with a backpack. Funny right? Now add to that vision someone trying to catch a bus. Now add to THAT someone trying to run with a full cup of coffee. In this moment, there was 5 of us doing a combo of all three. I was laughing so hard that I could barely move. Everyone was resorting to a strange waddle-with-hand-extended-jog-sort of motion. That was my first ab workout of the day. We did actually catch our bus. I, unfortunately, was only left with about 75 cents of my dollar coffee when all was said and done #sacrifices.

Second laugh attack:

We all know how skittish I am. This is why I think I enjoy watching other people be skittish so much. We exited the bus (from back entrance). When we passed the front entrance, the driver jumped out and landed right by Natascha. I got a full view of this. It was like a flying squirrel just attacked her. Her hands did a spaz motion and a worried/scarred noise came out. It was great. I was doubled over laughing. Again, only because I can relate. I think I've done the exact motion just by my phone ringing when I didn't expect it to. As I am laughing in a rather dramatic way (thus causing the other girls to laugh) the driver walks right by me and (in a very serious/accusatory tone) says, "that was NOT funny." My immature self was then sent straight to the ground. I was in pain from laughing. Ex-cah-yuuuuuuzeee me Mr. Bus Driver. Who made you mayor of funny town?

quick: act natural

We walked up and down the coast checking out a couple of beaches and the local shops. It was a very nice area with plenty of people, things to see, and anything you could possible want for lunch.

The weather alternated from warm-ish (when the sun was out) to cold (clouds) so dramatically that we switched from bikinis to jackets at least 3 times throughout the day.

love these girls <3

Despite the bipolar weather, we set up camp on the beach and made the most out of it. A few girls bought some local sushi and I ate a pb&j that I had stuffed in my bag. #ballinonabudget. The view was to die for. I must've spent most of my time with eyes open just staring at everything around me. In my mind, seeing beautiful nature is pristine and this place had it all. The rock formations, white sand, and ever stretching skyline were gorgeous. I still can't believe that I am in Australia and get to go see these things on a normal Sunday. What is my life?!?!

M for Manly...beach

"standing" on Ri's head

We were supposed to come home to a free pancake dinner, but alas, the QMB did not provide as promised. We were still on a pancake mindset so we made our own! I promised the girls that I would share this with the world (knowing my uploading wasn't working). Ironically, this video just so happened to go through. So here it is, my way of shaking the pancake mix.

8/3/15

#AustraliaTrip