Telling my friends that I was going to "Perth" was exciting, though the word "Perth" still sounded like a foreign place.
After reading Bill Bryon's book--- which I still cannot find! If anyone has seen my In a sunburned country, let me know asap!--- the word "Perth" sounded less foreign to me. I was able to feel more familiar with the country, just reading the book. I have learned a little geography: I can tell you where Adelaide is in comparison to Melbourne or Alice Springs; Queensland in comparison to Sydney, etc. The book gave me a feel for the country.... But, in a way, Australia didn't seem all that real to me. Not yet anyway. It was more like a far away adventurous place that would be cool if it were only real.
Keith Urban gave me hope. Australia must exist if this really cool country star came from there...!
Today, the idea of going to Perth and being a missionary seems real, actually obtainable. And it is because I was able to talk with three very cool returned missionaries. They all served in Perth around the same time. It was fun to watch them reminisce about the mission, talk about their friends and the people they served. They showed me pictures and answered my questions. One of the return missionaries tried to scare me, but the other two assured me that I would be safe. I wouldn't even see a crocodile and I would get used to the spiders: if I left them alone, they would leave me alone.
Here are a few of the things I learned from them:
* I should learn to say "g'day, mate" correctly (people say it to each other all the time).
* I will probably mostly be in the city; they send the Elders to the Outback more than the Sisters.
* I won't see a Croc, except for in the zoo.
* Although I will probably use a bike, if I have a license, I have a high probability of getting a car.
* I should buy "sunnies," which are sunglasses. I can also wear a visor.
* I'll see TONS of kangaroos, anywhere there is good grazing.
* I will get to visit the temple often; in fact, it is right next to the Perth Missionary office.
* I will most likely be transfered to the Southern part of the mission, rather than the North.
*They call Burger Kings "Hungry Jacks"
*There is no real root beer in Australia, so it is very hard to get a root beer float.
* I'll have access to e-mail, but it will be very limited, only a 1/2 hour a week; and I can only e-mail immediate family members.
* "Flats" are apartments.
* I should buy flow-ey skirts so I can ride my bike. (One of the returned Sister missionaries told me how to hike up my skirt to ride a bike.)
* They eat a lot of lamb and fish.
I actually learned a lot more than that, but that gives you a taste of the things that we talked about. We could have talked all night. The more we talked the more excited I got and the more questions I had for them. Also, the more we talked, the more THEY got excited and the more they thought of stories they could tell me.
It was a very neat experience, and--- like I said--- it makes it seem like Perth is a real place. It really does exist! And I'm going there! Soon--- I'll be able to say the word "Perth" and it will feel like home to me....
6 comments:
Hey Kassie, its Samantha
When I worked at the diner I met this guy from Australia. He told Josh and me about the spiders out there... maybe you've been told, but they have spider's out there that are like our black widows, but with the hourglass on their back instead of the stomach, like it is here. Isn't that weird... not only on the map is Australia on the other side of the world, but the spiders have feathers on their otherside... hehehe...
hehehe me again... i said feathers... the spiders have feathers. I caught that right after i published it. I meant to say features.
lol. you're cute, Samantha. Yeah, I did hear about the spiders! (ha ha!) One of the sister return missionaries was trying to scare me by telling me about them.
But, remember how brave I was in my apartment, screaming and killing spiders (that occasionally crawled on my walls) with hairspray? I figure I'll just to do the same. It should work, right?
yyyyeeeaaaahhhhh... hairspray...
I am sure you will be able to manage your spider fear down there. You'll do great there. I know it.
Now, does the hair spray thing work on snakes as well? hmmm....
as long as they have hair... may wanna get the extra extra strong hold
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