So far I have spent nearly 5 days in Perth and I have to say, I wish I would have decided to get to Perth about 20 years earlier. I can see why everyone just raves about the city and the surrounding area. It's beautiful and the weather is great, to say the least.
On Sunday we finally got to Perth after missing our flight in Sydney and having to spend some extra time in the airport. It wasn't a big deal and none of our bags were lost or left without us, however even though we tried to contact our driver from the airport and even left a message on some sort of voicemail, he never got it. Needless to say, he wasn't very pleased with us when we called him in the Perth airport to ask him to come pick us up.
However, we got to Tommy More (the dorm we are staying in) just fine, even if he did give us a lot of crap for being late.
Then on Monday I went on a walking tour around the city and then we had some orientation things in the dorm and went into the city to get phones and some little things at the dollar store. On Monday we also went out to a club with everyone in our dorm. It was really fun to dance around with everyone but also sort of weird because Australian clubs are much different than ones I am used to. No one really dances but really just more hangs out and sways in their little own area on the dance floor. It's sort of obvious when we show up though because we all dance like crazy and get super sweaty because it's so hot.
On Tuesday we had orientation at the University all day long. It was realllllllllly long. However, afterwards we went to the river and were able to swim around and relax. We kept finding dead jellyfish that had washed up on shore and Reid was able to pick one up so I held it (tentacle side up of course). I don't think those ones would have stung me though. Reid really didn't seem worried. We also saw a washed up puffer fish. That we didn't touch though.
Yesterday I went down to Fremantle with some people. It's a really cool little town with a lot of old buildings and everything is sort of in an old fashioned style (even if it is a newer building). I also got my first look at the ocean!!! And not just any ocean, THE INDIAN OCEAN!!!!! It was wonderful. Oh, and one of the largest highlights of my day was playing the didgeridoo. We found a store where we could just sit down and try to play it. I am actually not half bad at it either (and I can check it off my Australia bucket list). And we went out again last night, which was even more fun except for the fact my feet hurt really badly since I wore heels out. Not my best idea ever, even if I did look adorable. :D
Today was registration for classes which took waaaayyyy longer than necessary. However, I was able to get into all the classes I wanted. I do have class every day (a lot of people were able to get Friday's off), but I only have one class on Wednesdays and Thursdays which means that I can spend A LOT of time at the beach on those days. I am currently signed up for Herpetology, Marine Systems, Religion and Globalisation, Archaeology of Indigenous Australia, and Moral Theory. All of which I am super excited for and they all sound really really interesting. Tonight we have a dinner with all the international and study abroad students and then tomorrow I am going surfing. I am going to hard core wipe out, but I am still excited for it.
I am really burnt though, not horribly and not as bad as other people but still, the sun is way intense here. Stupid ozone hole.
I will leave you with a few photos of my days here. They do in no way really encapsulate all that I have and will experience. They give a glimpse though :)
The picture on the left is the city of Perth from King's Park. Below is the "sunken garden" on campus, which is absolutely stunning. Currently my favorite place.
And this is Bob picking up Nora to throw her into the pool by the main building on campus. He didn't actually throw her in but it was still really funny.
Oh and that's a giant lotus. There's an art festival that's going on.
I will update again soon I am sure. I miss all of you!
Claire
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