Random Australian things to remember :)

Thought I'd make a list of some of the things I've learned in the past 3.5 months :)

1. Australia's weather 
Ohhh you think down under is full of sunshine sunshine shineshine? hahahha lolz bahah JOKES. sadly this is a huge misconception, especially for Americans...and sadly myself (the girl who lives and breathes for sun). It rains a lot here...more in Southern Aussie (where I am) than other places but everywhere has a wet and dry season. While winters are much more mild..it still gets cold and no you can't go to the beach every day 

2. Australia's English
While yes it is still the English language...it totally isn't American english! Some things you will learn real fast --> cheers= thank you,  I can't be bothered= I didn't feel like it, singlet=tank top, trackies=sweat pants, tea= lunch and dinner, thongs=flip flops, toilet=restrooms, car park= parking lot, I reckon=I think---- I could go on and on! 

3. Australia is Expensive
Now were not talking a dollar more....we are talking 5 plus dollars more for almost everything! Crazy right? Everyday things like a bottle of water is around 4 dollars, a bag of chips 3 dollars, coffee around 5 dollars...I could go on and on in amazement. Alcohol is even worse...around 30 dollars for a 6 pack of beer or 35-40 for liquor. Same with clothes/shoes/makeup. And if you go out to eat don't expect to spend less than 20 dollars...and thats still a relatively cheap dinner at a most likely cheap place.  Add a drink or two on there or maybe a dessert and you surely will spend 35 dollars per meal without blinking. However, Australians do make 20 plus dollars per hour MINIMUM even as teenagers so I guess it sort of evens out but for a college student with no job it is money sucking island.

4. Australian cities are far apart
While Australia may look small in comparison to most of the continents, all of the major cities are extremely spread out. Melbourne looks like it would be a 4 hour trip maximum to Sydney, however it is a 12 hour plus drive (which I will be experiencing next weekend ahhh). Therefore, if you are traveling throughout Aussie land I would highly suggest flying because luckily it is pretty affordable (unlike most other things here!).

5. Some random sidetones
You don't have to tip in Australia. They drive on the other side of the road and on the other side of the car...and after experiencing this for the past 4 months lord help me when I get in a car back home. You can't really tell if the toilets flush backwards because they are powerflushed. Lots and lots of people smoke. Melbourne, along with other big cities, are very cultured with lots of immigrants, especially of Asian decent. Australia has a Prime Minister. If you take American appliances and use a converter it will still blow up here (RIP hairdryer). School is much more laid back here along with the people. And finally the people are extremely nice regardless of where you are at.