My field trip was pretty crazy! It was basically walking transects through the bushland on UNSW's field site in Cowan. It was really pretty because there were cliffs and scenic river lookouts. This was especially true early in the morning as the mist was lifting over the river. 6 hours of bush-bashing later, it was just hot and itchy. Australian scrub is full of aromatic compounds and prickly bits, which makes sense considering how hard plants have to work around here during dry times. It makes it difficult to walk through, though. The trip was still loads of fun, though! I enjoy being outside, regardless of how many plants decide they want a piece of me. Also, when I got back to Central Station, I found the world's most sickly-sweet, chocolatey milkshake EVER. And it was delicious.
After my field trip I had that short course in law on top of my normal load. That was a fun week! I barely remember any of it, except being pretty impressed that so many environmental laws are in place. What's even more impressive is how much wiggle-room is left in the laws by the language they use. My favorite is, "The minister must consider the principles of sustainability when approving...". 'Consider' = what? I can just picture some guy in a suit looking at a development proposal and saying, "Hmm, I have to consider what this will do to the environment. I reckon it'll screw it up pretty bad. Sweet, now I can check off that I've considered the impacts!". The sad part is it happens all the time.
After that it was Easter break! On Good Friday, Tom's sisters and their families came over and we had a delayed birthday party for Tom's nephew. It was hilarious how much cake ended up on faces instead of in tummies. It was also amazing how much chocolate found itself in my hands... I'm actually sick of it!
The next day (I think?) Tom and I scored a spot on a hot air balloon ride. It was SO quiet (except for the burners, which sounded like dull explosions), and despite being 4000 feet up in the air with no sort of restraining device, it was really calming and peaceful.
Later that day we went to the Easter Show, which is a bit like a State Fair. They have something called a Dagwood Dog, which is, as far as I can tell, a more disgusting version of a corn dog. It might just be a corn dog straight up, but the dough looks a little more deep-fried. There were all sorts of alpacas, sheep, horses, goats, cows, pigs, chickens, and geese to gander at too. I think my favorite part of fairs is all the funky chickens.
ALSO, Australians have this tradition of something called a Show Bag. It's basically a plastic bag full of useless crap that you can buy cheaper somewhere else. The showbags are all themed, so you can find one for anyone. I was taken with the candy themes, and also with the Wall-E ones. There were ones for car afficionados, girly mags, surfing, make-up, you name it! I was impressed, but not impressed enough to be duped. The whole carnival atmosphere is something you only need to see once every 5 years or so. It's refreshing, it's exciting, but it's also way over the top.
The rest of the week was a mish-mash of working, studying, going for walks, and relaxing. Tom took me down to Bundeena, which involves a ferry-ride, to walk part of the Coast Walk. It's so pretty! For some reason, watching waves break along cliffs is just hypnotizing. Most of the waves break on rocks strewn out a bit further. We saw a cormorant get caught inside and then look really indignant about it once he came back up. I also spotted a bearded dragon that was really gray, perfectly matching the more sandy soil he dwelt upon. So cool!!
Last night I met a bunch of Tom's friends at a really good Mexican restaurant. I'm so excited to find tasty Mexican food here! It's better than El Agave! Mmm. Tonight I'm going to an AFL game, tomorrow I've got work, and tomorrow night I'm going climbing. Monday classes start up again! Assignments will once again be all I have to talk about :(
