Loving the Irish!

Hey Everyone!

I am sitting in my hostel in Canberra. The day I arrived here I stayed in a room with a few other people. There was a German, an Irish and a French girl. As Leslie tells me it sounds like the start of a bad joke. lol. It was very fun! The German girl, Nina was only 19 and she was very funny to listen to. She has been in Australia a few months and has lost more clothes and shoes than I even brought. Instead of saying "or somesing" in her German accent she said "actually" all the time. It was very funny, I tried not to laugh because I knew Caley and I would be busting a gut laughing about it! But she was very nice and had great stories. Ailse was the Irish girl. She had been in Australia for only 2 weeks. Although she had been touring Asia for the last 3 months. She said it was great. Her and I went on a walking tour around Canberra. We went and checked out the parliament building and the museum of Australia. For lunch we stopped in a little restaurant where I met an American working there. He was nice, and recognized that I was from North America right away. It was nice to know that there are people who speak my accent. lol. Last night we watched TV and I met another American who rudely made fun of my accent. Oh well, being nice back is what makes me Canadian.

Today I booked a bus ticket to Melbourne and contacted Bobbi's friend Corrin who is picking me up from the bus depot and letting me stay with her for a few days. Once I had this booked I took a taxi to the National Zoo and Aquarium. It was very good. The Aquarium was nice, but I wish it was bigger. The zoo was great, but the little penguins were hiding since it was too warm outside. I guess they come out at night when it is cooler. Also I didn't get to see a Tasmanian devil because they also only come out at night. But I saw a Kangaroo up close. After the Zoo I called a taxi to come pick me up. Long story short and an hour and half wait and a disagreement with the dispatcher I finally got back to the hostel. Once I arrived here I found that I had a new roommate. She is from Ireland. I love it!! All the Irish people I have met so far are fantastic. They are so nice and willing to help you in any way they can. Plus they always call you hun or dear or sweetie. Eileen is my new Irish friend and she likes to call me misses. I think it is great. We are going to head to the war memorial in the morning and then catching a bus to Melbourne together. She is 27 and has been in Australia for 6 months. She has seen more of the country than anyone I have met so far. She inspires me to tour all the way around this continent and see the different life styles. She was not about the parties and drinking but more about see the differences in culture. I love that, I think that is the reason to travel. I now want to see even more than I had originally planned. If she did it in six months then I know I can do it in a year. Before Australia, Eileen was in Africa for four months. She said it was amazing! I can't believe that people are so brave to go see all these different parts of the world. I have decided that if I can ever keep on travelling I would love to go to Ireland. If the whole country is as friendly as the ones I have met in the last week than I know I will love it.
Until next time,
Cindy