The Game of Inches (or Metres)

So this week has been busy… I grabbed a six-inch sub for just $3.95 AUD, bought and drank a 1.5 litre Coke, went on a morning run of about two kilometers and all in rainy conditions at around 15 degrees Celsius.

As confused as you are right now, you know what I’ve had to deal with in adjusting the past week or so. In my notebook of “things to remember” for this trip (it’s basically a guideline of what to put in these blogs), I have a page designated for conversions. And nothing says “I’m Foreign” more than whipping out a U.S.-to-Aussie currency converter from your breast pocket. That and asking for American cheese (which I did AGAIN).

When we walked into our new place of residence here in Adelaide, we found it to be MUCH better than the dump we lived in while staying in Sydney. Community showers, yes, but it’s a nice place with decent beds and it doesn’t smell awful. Plus, free laundry and we get a discount for staying longer than a week.

That leaves out one of the better points – the fast food. Even though we’re trying not to eat out all the time, it is inevitably going to happen, with our first fast food encounter in Adelaide, Australia coming right across the street at the “Burp Burrito” restaurant. Those of you who know me know I was a bit worried that there would be no Mexican food here. Tragedy averted.

And there’s a 24-hour pancake shop out back. And we get a 15% discount at the bar that’s downstairs. Suffice it to say we’re in a much better boat here than in Sydney.

This post comes on the American eve of America’s birthday. And what better way to celebrate than we already have. No, we didn’t buy Chinese fireworks off the black market – because we are staying during the time of our home country’s Independence Day, we received a percentage off our total bill for our stay.

So I’d like to use this space to thank Thomas Jefferson for completing the Declaration of Independence when he did. I’ll use that saved money to drink to him later – another adjustment on our long list. There’s no Bud or Coors Light here. It’s Toohey’s New or Carlton Draught. Haven’t made a trip to the bar yet, but that is likely to be a topic in my next blog.

You should drink to big Tommy J as well. Imagine his having finished the historical document on January 4, 1776. Sitting in below freezing temperatures while watching the fireworks probably wouldn’t have sat well with most Americans. Unless you’re Alaskan, at which point this day probably ticks you off every year.

Love you all in the states, check back for more updates.

From the other side of the globe, this is Kevin Hunt.

If you want to see me soon, start digging.