I am going Down Under!

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous' started by Naira, Jan 15, 2013.

  1. Naira

    Naira Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Greece
    Hello everyone!

    I am already in Brisbane! I've been here for two days and it seems lovely. I find it very hard to find a place to stay though, as everyone is waiting for the new wave of students in a few weeks and doesn't want to lease for only 3 months...

    Interestingly enough, I have not met many Australians yet! Most people in the University and out in the shops seem to be of Asian origin. I remember this being the case in New Zealand as well. Where are all the Australians hidden???

    Public transport seems expensive indeed, as someone mentioned above. Sadly, once again, three months is a short time to consider getting a car. And I am so not used to not having one around!

    Anyway, things seem very nice (except that it is too hot! - and that's coming from a Greek person...). I hope I 'll have some time to see stuff outside the city as well, I wouldn't want to miss that opportunity.

    Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming! :)
     
  2. lurok

    lurok Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    They're all over here :lol:
     
  3. Tiberius

    Tiberius Commodore Commodore

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    Any chance you'll be able to pop down to Sydney to say hi?
     
  4. teacake

    teacake Fleet Admiral Admiral

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  5. Avon

    Avon Commodore Commodore

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    cover yourself in vegemite. that'll draw australians to you.
     
  6. Tiberius

    Tiberius Commodore Commodore

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    Sep 28, 2005
    But you'll look like Nikki Minaj.

    Ugh.
     
  7. teacake

    teacake Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I guess I should point out that being asian doesn't mean you aren't Australian.
     
  8. Jono

    Jono Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Yeah, Australia has a high percentage of people not born here. It was around the 25% a couple of years ago and I think around a quarter of that was people born in Asia. Also around one in ten Australians have some Asian ancestry. You also might be in a suburb with a high Asian population as well.

    The Uni should have a service that can help with off-campus accommodation.

    Count yourself lucky you didn't have to spend a day in Syndey. They had a day in the mid-40s on Friday.
     
  9. Naira

    Naira Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Unfortunately no... However, I want to organize at least one excursion outside the city.

    I didn't know about this stuff. I guess I have to try it! (I mean taste it, not cover myself in it!)

    Of course, I was actually thinking how to phrase it when I wrote it so as not to be misunderstood. My point was that I would expect to see more people of non-Asian origin, which is not the case.

    It has but it is not of much help, as everyone is interested in at least 6 months lease, even if they do not say it upfront...
     
  10. Captain_Nick

    Captain_Nick Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2002
    gumtree.com.au should help you find accomodation. Be careful though some of those places are really dodgy.

    Welcome to the country by the way.

    Doesn't surprise me to hear that your uni is full of internationals. We sell our courses to anyone who can afford them.
     
  11. KimMH

    KimMH Drinking your old posts Premium Member

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    Never been, would love to! Very very envious! Have fun!
     
  12. Naira

    Naira Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Location:
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    Hi guys!

    After almost two weeks in Brisbane, I thought to give you a little update. :)

    I got settled in quite fast, I arrived on Friday and by Monday I had found a room in a shared-house to stay and had arranged all formal issues (getting a bank account, getting an office at the University etc). Since then, I haven't seen much of the city due to (1) work and (2) the rain! I got here just in time for the heavy rains but - fortunately - we did not have any flooding problems in my neighborhood.

    Anyway, things seem so very quiet around here. Shops close around 5:30pm so there is not much to do after I return from the University. I live in a suburb so things are extremely quiet. The only thing around here is basically a super-market... :eek: I thought there would be more stuff available since I live so close to the campus.

    I want to do some sight-seeing when I get the chance and visit a Koala park that is nearby. The life cost is generally high and it seems that you need a lot of money for any activity. However, I will try to actually see some stuff while I'm here.

    EDIT: I tried some vegemite. I really didn't like it at all! Too strong...
     
  13. 1001001

    1001001 Serial Canon Violator Moderator

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    I thought so too when I first tried it. I learned that a very thin spread of vegemite on buttered toast is really good!

    Have a great time!
     
  14. Naira

    Naira Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    ^ Hmm... I'll give it another try then...
     
  15. Miss Chicken

    Miss Chicken Little three legged cat with attitude Admiral

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    I gather you are nowhere near the floods?
     
  16. Captain_Nick

    Captain_Nick Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Brisbane is a pretty quiet place, like a gigantic country town. Melbourne and Sydney are much more like 'real' cities.

    You are very lucky to be here at this time - except for the flooding of course. The NAB Cup starts in a couple of weeks and after that the AFL proper begins.
     
  17. Naira

    Naira Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Fortunately not. We only had some power problems.

    I sort of have my mind on the Formula 1 race in Melbourne. :cool: