Good Morning! Another day in Australia and I seem to be adjusting nicely. None of the bouts of falling asleep at odd times or awake in the middle of the night because my inner time clock is off. PTL! I had a nice day yesterday unpacking and getting things sorted out and Missy got off early from work and took me to a nearby mall. Because we have taken many trips to the UK, I am not freaked out about the driving orientation and it seems quite normal. I never like the little roads they make in other countries but I am working on not throwing my feet out to brake everytime we are crowded in small lanes with trucks. Missy and Wes are old pros at it so I know I am in good hands. The Mall experience was nice. I found it to be somewhat like the US...with the exception of prices....Very expensive cost of living here. Missy says that is because most things have to be imported and not many factories etc here plus it is far from other countries. They are somewhat close to Asia ( but further than you think ) and they are very "green" and particular about what comes in their country which makes it hard to be competitve here. I think actually that is what I am mostly seeing. No competitveness in the market place. Aussies don't seem to know much about southern hospitality, though they aren't at all stuffy. Still though... it makes one blink when they push ahead of you or nearly run you down in their hurry to go....somewhere. Missy always says, " Welcome to my world. " :-)
I met some of the neighbors last night and that was nice. They all wanted to meet Missy's Mum. They had lots of questions about America and according to them , as Aussies, feel like America is the country they most follow after. I thought that interesting. You can see that reflected in their culture though and they like Americans. I was glad to have the opportunity to chat with a group of ladies because I had maternity questions for them. I want to try to find out more regarding how " maternity" is done here. ( I am on a mission :-) It tends to be a bit different. Hospitals are very small and as a maternity hospital stay is typically about 4 days but they put you up in a nearby hotel after the day of birth because of lack of space. ( crazy ) I was told though that Cabrini...the hospital Missy will use, is one of the nicer hospitals and her doctor very good and well known and she may actually be able to stay there the full time. Sounds much more like America in the care of mum and baby than English hospitals. It was all most interesting....and like Mums everywhere in the world, the ladies of the neighborhood took great delight in telling all about how it is done here and their own experiences... :-)
Steak on the barbee was great and our visit with the neighbors was pleasant....though I thought I would freeze to death. They were all out in crop pants and sleeveless shirts or shorts and my teeth were chattering in my sweater and long pants and shoes and socks! The weather is very nice though. We have sunshine and nice days and cool nights ...which is great for sleeping.
It is Saturday here, as we are a day ahead of America. I have had my instant coffee..... which is all they seem to have here.....unbelievably...... & enjoyed the morning with the magpies and pigeons. I am waiting on Missy & Wes to have our scones & cream and tea for breakfast and then we are going to a baby expo to look for things for our new little Mc Farland baby.
I wish each of you a blessed day and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Elaine
" The neighborhood "
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