“Australia is the world’s sixth largest country and its largest island. It is the only nation that began as a prison.(…) It has more things that will kill you than anywhere else. Of the world’s ten most poisonous snakes, all are Australian. (…) Eighty percent of all that lives in Australia, plant and animal, exists nowhere else…” – Bill Bryson’s In a Sunburned Country.
I walked up to the campus today and then back down and along the canals that line the coast. I actually have not seen the ocean yet because the canals are the size of small lakes and the ocean lies beyond them. I stopped into this fruit and vegetable stand that I discovered yesterday and was once again greeted by the kind Lebanese man who owns it. After chatting for a few minutes I bought some apples (at a reduced price “just for me” ;) ) and then walked along the water. As I ate I started this book that I quoted above.
In a Sunburned Country is a fantastic book that my aunt gave to me before I left. The dialogue is witty and educational. I was honestly laughing out loud as I soaked up the final rays of the setting sun. I have a feeling I am going to be quoting from this book often, it is just THAT good! This author has also written about Africa, Europe, America (and more!) and I think it will really help me get to know this new place!
Concluding random fact for the day:
“Australia is such a difficult country to keep track of. (…) I encountered the startling fact that in 1967 the prime minister, Harold Holt, was strolling along a beach on Victoria when he plunged into the surf and vanished. No trace of the poor man was ever seen again. This seemed doubly astounding to me- first that Australia could just lose a prime minister (I mean, come on) and second that news of this had never reached me.” (Bryson-3)
Ha Ha its totally true though- I don’t think I ever hear about Australia in US news! According to Bryson in 1997 Australia was mentioned in the New York Times slightly more times than bananas but not nearly as many times as ice cream!! I mean I understand ice cream is pretty much the best dessert out there but compared to a country… ? :)
I just realized all of these facts were kind of morbid… more “glass half full” quotes next time :) !
Deb,
ReplyDeleteSteve and I just read your blog or actually I read it to him. We loved the pictures and laughed at some of your comments. I am glad you are enjoying the book. Steve and I really enjoyed his style of writing as we had listened to one (a Walk in the Woods) on our way to visit Mark and laughed hysterically. You have so many new adventures in store for you in this wonderful country. Good luck tomorrow on your first day of school. (Don't forget to take your first day of school picture, ahh memories)
We had dinner last night with Grandma and Grandpa and Rick, Nancy, Becky and Danny. At Outback Steakhouse in your honor. It was great. There was a sign in the resturant that had the word Mizzies with a big X? Any idea what they are?? He said they are plentiful in Australia. The answer the next comment.
Have a fabulous school year and keep the blog coming. I am sending it on to both Ben and Mark.
Love, Steve and Cheryl