Questions on Australia

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by Pioneer

Traditionally, USAmericans not thought of favorably in Australia. The last thing we want to hear is how much better things are, when you're in our country.

I've been to Australia a couple times and I've never experienced that. As long as you stay away from the "ugly tourist American" stereotype, you should be fine.

I stayed at UNSW over the (southern) winter a couple years ago. You can get pretty much anywhere with a bus pass. The local area is mostly Asian. The beaches are a short bus ride away - if you've got time you can walk, but it's a bit of a hike. I was able to walk downtown once, but it's over an hour's walk.

Lots of pubs in Sydney have steaks for $6. It's probably the best deal on food that I've ever come across.

Originally Posted by Frame57

I hear the women to dude ratio is outstanding, so getting Rootang should not be a problemo...

Is that true btw? Cause I remember hearing pretty much the opposite, at least in some areas. I rembember reading about a town in Oz where they had a pretty large amount of bachelors and pretty much no women. They put an add on the paper to make women move there.

Or was it New Zealand...

But anyway, if you're right then Oz has definitely jumped up the list for me as a possible place of destination for the future.

Originally Posted by Max2147

I've been to Australia a couple times and I've never experienced that. As long as you stay away from the "ugly tourist American" stereotype, you should be fine.

I stayed at UNSW over the (southern) winter a couple years ago. You can get pretty much anywhere with a bus pass. The local area is mostly Asian. The beaches are a short bus ride away - if you've got time you can walk, but it's a bit of a hike. I was able to walk downtown once, but it's over an hour's walk.

Lots of pubs in Sydney have steaks for $6. It's probably the best deal on food that I've ever come across.

Yeah , it's the "Ugly American" tourist type that aren't liked here , but then again where are they liked? , you might get some anti U.S type stuff from some students , but that's the usual thing with Uni student and causes - eventually they grow up and become normal humans again

I haven't been to Sydney for a few years but you can find places that have special nights for backpackers ,(you can usually find a different one every night ) , might be an idea to join one of the backpacker organizations like YHA or the equivalent in the U.S - most of them are connected and you can get discounts in stores and stuff with your membership card.

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

Is that true btw? Cause I remember hearing pretty much the opposite, at least in some areas. I rembember reading about a town in Oz where they had a pretty large amount of bachelors and pretty much no women. They put an add on the paper to make women move there.

Or was it New Zealand...

But anyway, if you're right then Oz has definitely jumped up the list for me as a possible place of destination for the future.

The shortage of women is in country towns, but on average there are more women than men in Australia, and more so in the citys and urban areas

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

The shortage of women is in country towns, but on average there are more women than men in Australia, and more so in the citys and urban areas

SSSHHHHH!!!! Don't tell em that they'll all be coming over to pick up.

UNSW should be able to provide you with a lot of info on life over here. As has already been said it is pretty close to the city and Eastern subrubs beaches like Bondi, Coogee and Maroubra and the bus is your best bet for getting around if you are not into getting a car or bike.

Renting can be a bit of a nightmare as the market is pretty tight and there are some less than scrupulous people about ready to take advantage so keep your wits about you and ask lots of questions before getting into that side of things.

You can pick up pretty much any type of food you have over there, out here and the range and freshness is very good for most foods. We do import a bit but most is grown here. The one thing that might be a bit different is seafood as we don't have many Atlantic species, but once you've tasted Baramundi, Tasmanian scallops or WA caryfish you won't want to go back.

Sydney is very cosmopolitan and whilst much much smaller in population than NY, just about every nationality is represented here and then some.

Make sure that you get out of town a bit as well as there are some great places within a 3-4 hour drive from Sydney that are well worth a visit.

Hope you enjoy your stay. O'h and if you do want a beer, let me know and I'll make sure that privateer's warning is fulfilled.

[Frame57]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

"Roo-Tang", are you talking about kanga-roos? If that is the case, I don't want to know!

Once you have had "Roo", you will sing "Yabba Dabba Doo"

[rubenandthejets]

Prices for food are comparable, some things will be more expensive, others cheaper.

Not many affordable single sized apartments around, so get used to sharing with someone.

Never. ever, ever say "Gday mate" with an American accent.
If people ask you are from Canada say yes.
A lot of people will take you to task for every US foriegn policy blunder since Roosevelt....sorry, something you'll just have to live with as the nearest representative of Australia's overlord

or sew that maple leaf to your bag, fellow Commonwealth member!

[Frame57]

Will wearing my AC/DC hat get me any points?

[Platapus]

So do they give "Australian Kisses" in Australia?

(The Cougar TV program reference )

[Falkirion]

Sydney might have alot of great stuff but its missing ONE very important thing.

The chicken Parma.

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by Falkirion

Sydney might have alot of great stuff but its missing ONE very important thing.

The chicken Parma.

News to me!

[d@rk51d3]

Originally Posted by Platapus

So do they give "Australian Kisses" in Australia?

(The Cougar TV program reference )

Is that like a French Kiss, but down under?

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by Falkirion

Sydney might have alot of great stuff but its missing ONE very important thing.

The chicken Parma.

Huh? Its on just about every pub grub menu up here mate. When was the last time you were here?

[Jimbuna]

A talking Australian clock


Proudly showing off his newly-leased downtown apartment to a couple of friends late one night, a drunk man led the way to his bedroom where there was a big gong hanging on the wall.
'What's that big brass gong for?' one of the friend's asked.
'Issss nod a gong. Issss a talking Australian clock' he drunkenly replied.
'A talking Australian clock - seriously?'
'Yup.'
'How's it work?' the second friend asked, squinting at it.
'Just watch' he said.
He picked up a hammer, gave the gong an ear-shattering bash and stepped back.
His three mates stood looking at one another for a moment in astounded silence.
Suddenly, an Australian voice from the other side of the wall screamed, 'For f**k's sake, you stupid bas*ard. It's ten past three in the fuc***g morning!'

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Frame57

Will wearing my AC/DC hat get me any points?

Yes, Wear it on Christmas, or as it is known "down under" Bon Scott Day. This national holiday is mainly focused around heavy drinking. In the Mideval days (before 1980), Aussies used to sacrifice a pommey to Bon Scott (similar to an Aztec sacrifice), but in modern times, they usually just sacrifice a kiwi cricketer.