Thursday me and Ashley went shopping - I need some more summer/beach clothes, and I really need some going-out clothes. A lot of people get pretty dressed up to go out at night, and it's not like I'm used to going out clubbing, so I went hunting for some new clothes. I didn't find much though, I got one shirt - the most exciting thing we both got was a bunch of postcards haha so if you want one, let me know!
We went to meet the others at one of the saltwater pools next to the beach after that. There are a few - there are two nice ones that look just like a normal pool, it just gets supplied by ocean water. We went to the one that is more like it's carved out of the rocks - those sort of pools are a lot of places in australia so you don't get eaten by everything. Sharks are the least of worries- it's the riptides and all the bluebottle jellyfish everywhere. I swear I'm gunna be stung by a jellyfish before I leave - if even just from walking along the beach and stepping on a dead one.
Thusday night there was a big party at the Unibar and we went and hung out for a while, listening to the band there and dancing. The busses stop running on weekdays around 10pm but they have what is affectionately called the drunk bus which shuttles around all the major bars and clubs, which is super convenient because we live within walking distance of almost all of them.
Friday morning we went to the Welcome to Wollongong Festival specifically for international students in the center of town, which is put on by the city of wollongong and uni. It was cool, they had a whole presentation with people welcoming us which finished with some people from an aborigine tribe doing some traditional dances in traditional clothes and makeup. There was food, dancing, and a bunch of booths set up where we got soooo much great info and free stuff. From there we went home, grabbed our stuff, and headed for the train station. Unfortunately, the wrong train station. We still go there and got on a train to Sydney, but we walked all the hell around Wollongong. The train ride is about and hour and a half so not too bad - I definitely plan on going back many other times.
We stayed with Taylor, Jayme, and their roommates. Right after we got there we met up with all the other Study Australia students staying at Bondi Junction (which is sooo many) and went to this bar, The Eastern where we all got two cards. One that gave us a free drink there, and another that we can keep and gives us a free drink at participating bars and 25% off. We didn't know we were going to get them, so it was pretty sweet timing we thought. Stayed out late dancing, which was fun, and then crashed on the small pull-out couch, snuggling with Ashley hahaha.
The next morning we got went out shopping for crazy Mardi Gras clothes - sparkley shirts and dresses, masks, boas, basically awesome clothes haha. We got to the parade area at 4, which was super early since it didn't start until 8, but it was well worth it. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the largest in the world and there were soooooooooooooo many people there. We got a great spot right against the rails and basically camped out, sitting in the sun until about 6:30 when everyone started standing. Soon after they passed out the whistles. Oh the whistles. My ears are STILL ringing, more than 24 hours later. The parade was crazy - it was 3 hours long. I'll post pictures soon, but there was pretty much everything you can think of. Since we were in the front row we got kissed and danced with numerous times lol. Afterward we collapsed into bed - our feed hurt so bad from standing for so long. It was well worth it though, it was so much fun.
Today we headed back to Wollongong, this time getting off at the right station and getting home without incident. Ran to the store, and then went next door to have dinner with our neighbor who I mentioned before, Yahya. His wife made us the most delicious traditional Saudi Arabian meal - Kabsa. Everything was utterly delicious, and soooo much food. They are so nice and we stayed over there for almost 3 hours just talking to them about their culture and ours. We already have plans for Fatima to teach us how to cook all the food she made for us tonight :D. It was the perfect way to end the weekend.
I did warn you it was going to be a long post. I've got my first classes tomorrow morning early though, so wish me luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment