04.24.10

First impression? It is JUST like LA, just much more clean. The landscape is also much more green but has a brown undertone, with lots of exotic looking trees and palms. The houses all have Spanish tile roofing and are right next to each other with large fences around the carefully portioned lots. Real estate is high out here, so no corner goes un-claimed. Everyone's front yard is manicured nicely and given that no one is allowed to water their lawn, everything still seems pretty green!
Every time I look out the front window of the car, I get so overwhelmed by the traffic. Driving on the opposite side of the road is scary, just like driving on the right side in LA! The stores are all lined up on the road in a long row, only ending to allow for a street to pass through. Each store has a large overhang protruding from the façade; each one sticking out further then the last, with its name plastered all over, as if they are in constant competition to be seen first. Again, a feature I have seen famously in LA. So far, the biggest difference is that instead of a huge population of Mexicans, there is a large number of Asians! It makes sense seeing as how Australia is so close to Asia and its' sister countries.
I guess I am still in shock that I am actually in Australia. The accent is AMAZING, but sounds more British now that I am surrounded by it. Len and Jenny are so welcoming and don't hesitate to start showing us around and getting us acclimated (John's mom's cousin is Jenny, married to Len and their daughter Justine who is John's second cousin...whew!). We both accidentally nap but wake up to meet Silvia and her two adorable kids. Then Len, Jenny and Justine take us down 'High St.' to their favorite Thai restaurant for dinner. Maddy, (one of John's cousins) and her dad Olivio (Jen's brother and one of the 10 (1st) cousins) meet us there. It was such great food, but once our bellies were full, we were just beyond the point of exhaustion. I don't even remember hitting the pillow. Needless to say, it was an awesome first day!