Vowing that I would NOT stay in temp accommodation for any longer than a week, the search for accommodation began. I went to all the notice boards at the uni and made notes of all the number that were advertising accommodation and starting calling to make appointments. The houses were interesting to say the least and I soon discovered that there is a HUGE Asian community in Adelaide, all of whom seem to rent to students! But of whom a lot seem to not recognise being from the UK as being an international student. Very odd.
Anyway, the first guys house was actually an Australian who lived with a Chinese couple already, his cat and a dog. The place was extreme cheap and included all bills, however I was told there was a chance I would have to leave as the previous occupant could return, but there were plans for a caravan in the garden where I could still use the house facilities but my room would be the caravan. There was also stuff everywhere! I don’t know how I would have got to the cooker as it was covered in stuff. Bless him though. He told me about his cat for about an hour and then showed me pics of him with his cat. Nicest man ever but perhaps keep looking for now. Lol.
Monday, March 22, 2010
THE FESTIVAL STATE
On many car numbers plates in SA you will see it defined as the festival state and this is totally true at the moment (except ask an Adelaide-ian and they will tell you to enjoy it while it lasts as the city soon turns into a retirement village)
The start to the Adelaide Fringe was a week of “The Garden of Unearthly Delights” (and if Si makes one more comment about that I will punch him) which is absolutely mentally awesome!It’s like a big circus show thing in one of the parks and it has tents, food, some free shows, a buskers pitch and random people with microphones yelling at the crowd that they’re show is the best. The atmosphere is absolutely awesome and even if you don’t go to any of the shows just sitting having a beer and people watching is wicked. This still runs through the whole Fringe Festival month which made me so very happy, even more so when I won free tickets to a show called Luck, which I’ll remember forever. But I’ll explain about that more later...
The start to the Adelaide Fringe was a week of “The Garden of Unearthly Delights” (and if Si makes one more comment about that I will punch him) which is absolutely mentally awesome!It’s like a big circus show thing in one of the parks and it has tents, food, some free shows, a buskers pitch and random people with microphones yelling at the crowd that they’re show is the best. The atmosphere is absolutely awesome and even if you don’t go to any of the shows just sitting having a beer and people watching is wicked. This still runs through the whole Fringe Festival month which made me so very happy, even more so when I won free tickets to a show called Luck, which I’ll remember forever. But I’ll explain about that more later...
GLENELG
The first weekend obviously had to be a beach one and a big group of us at the RAH clubbed together to head down on the tram (which will become the hub of all journeys) for a day in the sun. It was really nice and definitely worth a google check up for anyone who’s interested. Bought a frizbee and in typical tourist style, a massive beach towel with the aussie flag on of course! Ha Ha
THE UNI (PART 1)
So there welcoming tactics were slight shock as it was pretty much get on with it for the first few days. Granted the orientation hadn’t started but come on, I’ve just got off a million hour flight (if you think that’s an exaggeration you do it on your own!), been greeted by the mafia, thrown into prison to stay for a week and then not eaten you kind of want some joy. I was given a red bag and told to enjoy my weekend.
I have to say though, the excitement of a red bag full of leaflets I shall never use and an immense study Adelaide water bottle was actually pretty exciting!
I have to say though, the excitement of a red bag full of leaflets I shall never use and an immense study Adelaide water bottle was actually pretty exciting!
THE INFAMOUS RAH
As many of you lovely lot know my temporary accommodation the uni set up for 7 days on my arrival was in none other than Adelaide’s hospital! Ha Ha, maybe it’s like quarantine for foreigners, it definitely felt like it anyway!
Right so there’s a campaign at the mo to save the Royal Adelaide Hospital as instead of re-furbing it they are planning to knock it down and build a completely new one (I think that’s the gist of it anyway)
Well from my first view of it in the ‘delightful’ residential wing they definitely need to do something with it, perhaps instead of knocking it down they could turn it into the city prison!!! It was HORRIBLE!! If I was staying there and was sick I think I’d jump out the window. Not only cold you not open the window but the blind was also broken so in lovely 29 degree plus Australia I was in a blackout room. Happy much?!
Although, the room was pretty cool (temp wise, obviously)
There were two kitchens on the ‘student’ floor which was well equip with an oven, hob, sink, fridge and …. Oh yer nothing else! Not even a cup or a spoon in the whole place which was interesting to say the least, pot noodles and plastic cutlery here we come.
The people I met there were pretty sweet though and on the first night I was out until around 3am. Not sure if that was time difference effecting or perhaps the fact I couldn’t face the thought of the room! But anyway special mention to The Canadians (I end up meeting a lot of them), Swedish and Americans who made my first night in Oz.
Right so there’s a campaign at the mo to save the Royal Adelaide Hospital as instead of re-furbing it they are planning to knock it down and build a completely new one (I think that’s the gist of it anyway)
Well from my first view of it in the ‘delightful’ residential wing they definitely need to do something with it, perhaps instead of knocking it down they could turn it into the city prison!!! It was HORRIBLE!! If I was staying there and was sick I think I’d jump out the window. Not only cold you not open the window but the blind was also broken so in lovely 29 degree plus Australia I was in a blackout room. Happy much?!
Although, the room was pretty cool (temp wise, obviously)
There were two kitchens on the ‘student’ floor which was well equip with an oven, hob, sink, fridge and …. Oh yer nothing else! Not even a cup or a spoon in the whole place which was interesting to say the least, pot noodles and plastic cutlery here we come.
The people I met there were pretty sweet though and on the first night I was out until around 3am. Not sure if that was time difference effecting or perhaps the fact I couldn’t face the thought of the room! But anyway special mention to The Canadians (I end up meeting a lot of them), Swedish and Americans who made my first night in Oz.
ARRIVAL TO rADELAIDE
Nearly went to the wrong university but they were just so damn welcoming. Uni SA were at the top of the gangway waving and smiling so I just thought yep must be for me. NO NO!! They all introduced themselves and we got chatting then after about 5 mins they realised I was nothing to do with them and was actually going to Uni Adelaide.
Worked out there’s a touch of rivalry in the not a proper uni stakes (a bit like Northumbria and Newcastle; JOKE)
So I trundled off down the escalator to be greeted by an EXTREMELY mafia-esk man (sorry mate, you turned out to be nice though) with my surname on one of those board things, pretty celeb like. And off we went into the city.
(don’t worry, this blog will become more exciting but you have to have all the background, its just the way it is)
On the journey Mr Suit (can’t for the life of me remember his name) gave me a brief guided tour of the city and gave me some cultural insiders about how if you sit in the front of a taxi (which I had just done) it can be constrewed that you want to chat up the driver!
Don’t worry I found out later from another ‘local’ that this is some old tale and as long as you don’t try and cuddle them while their driving they shouldn’t get the wrong idea!
Worked out there’s a touch of rivalry in the not a proper uni stakes (a bit like Northumbria and Newcastle; JOKE)
So I trundled off down the escalator to be greeted by an EXTREMELY mafia-esk man (sorry mate, you turned out to be nice though) with my surname on one of those board things, pretty celeb like. And off we went into the city.
(don’t worry, this blog will become more exciting but you have to have all the background, its just the way it is)
On the journey Mr Suit (can’t for the life of me remember his name) gave me a brief guided tour of the city and gave me some cultural insiders about how if you sit in the front of a taxi (which I had just done) it can be constrewed that you want to chat up the driver!
Don’t worry I found out later from another ‘local’ that this is some old tale and as long as you don’t try and cuddle them while their driving they shouldn’t get the wrong idea!
FLIGHTS
Soooooo I’ll start from the beginning…
Left UK Wednesday 10th, evening after having nearly the whole day at the airport with lovely mother, as we had been a bit too cautious with our timings. All good though and definitely better than being late (we didn’t want another crazy Thailand rush!)
Flight was pretty good, straight forward and up until Singapore only had 2 people on a 3 row, plus it was the emergency exit seats which I never had before!!
Sat back and planned my movie viewing for the trip then promptly fell asleep and only got to watch one series. What a shame! Although the food kept me going and there was no stupid pre-meal snack to get my hopes up and then completely dash it (as with the infamous New York flight – right poobs?)
HIGHLIGHT OF THE JOURNEY – ICE CREAM AS A MID FLIGHT SNACK BEFORE SYDNEY!!!
Had 6 hours to kill in Sydney so posted cards to the relevant folk (sorry guys I couldn’t do everyone!) and chilled in the lovely Sunshine. Weird being back in Sydney but in a good way, just knew exactly where to go, good cafes and no wandering aimlessly to find things. That was a big positive thing as my bag could have weighed down a small horse (as john-boy knows!)
Left UK Wednesday 10th, evening after having nearly the whole day at the airport with lovely mother, as we had been a bit too cautious with our timings. All good though and definitely better than being late (we didn’t want another crazy Thailand rush!)
Flight was pretty good, straight forward and up until Singapore only had 2 people on a 3 row, plus it was the emergency exit seats which I never had before!!
Sat back and planned my movie viewing for the trip then promptly fell asleep and only got to watch one series. What a shame! Although the food kept me going and there was no stupid pre-meal snack to get my hopes up and then completely dash it (as with the infamous New York flight – right poobs?)
HIGHLIGHT OF THE JOURNEY – ICE CREAM AS A MID FLIGHT SNACK BEFORE SYDNEY!!!
Had 6 hours to kill in Sydney so posted cards to the relevant folk (sorry guys I couldn’t do everyone!) and chilled in the lovely Sunshine. Weird being back in Sydney but in a good way, just knew exactly where to go, good cafes and no wandering aimlessly to find things. That was a big positive thing as my bag could have weighed down a small horse (as john-boy knows!)
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