I got into "Fall Break" mode a few days too early and really struggled to finish up my school work last week. I had my first major paper due (in U.S. History). I somehow managed to make it to the library for a few days and crank it out. I was actually pretty pleased with it, and I realized that I am so confused by their grading scale here that I can't possibly be disappointed by whatever mark I receive. I discovered Uni Bar and went after I finished class on Wednesday with some friends. I forget how cool my campus is sometimes. There was a flea market outside of Uni Bar that I browsed around before enjoying a beer and music with some of the guys. A group of us went to CBH to celebrate the beginning of the mid-semester break Thursday night. Friday was packing day. Oh man, I forgot how much I hate packing/how much of an over-packer I am. Took several hours longer than I anticipated... Several phone calls to my girl friends: "Should I bring a dress?" "Can we share a hair dryer?" "How many shoes do I need?" etc... But we were all SUPER excited for our adventure to Cairns!
Took a cab to the airport with my two girl friends Friday morning. Met at the Virgin Australia counter, got our tickets and itineraries, checked our bags, and off we went! Traveling domestically through Australia is so much easier than in the U.S. Didn't have to take off belts, watches, shoes, etc. in security, people brought water bottles through security, people could go to the gate with you to say goodbye... I forgot what the world was like pre-9/11. There was about 60 IES students that went on the trip. We essentially took over the flight (so sorry to the other people on the plane...). An Easter bunny was hopping around the airport and handing out chocolate, and I have never seen so many 21 year olds get so excited. You would have thought we were all no older than 6. Chocolate=happy kids. We were seated alphabetically on the plane, but with a shift backwards and over, Alexa, Catherine, and myself ended up together in a row. Our fabulous study abroad advisors Thais and Beata sat across from us. We connected via Brisbane-just enough time to grab some disgusting fast food for lunch and some trashy Australian magazines. Just FYI, the Australian version of Cosmo is ten notches down from the U.S. version. And about ten times the price. Read and slept during the next 3 hour flight and FINALLY arrived in Cairns at about 4:30. We got our luggage and boarded a bus to head to the infamous Gilligan's Hostel.
We were given room assignments and keys and went to go check out a hostel for the first time. Gilligan's was INSANE. A huge night club, pool, fake beach... obviously a huge tourist attraction. But so incredibly awesome. The rooms were not so cool. 8 beds, bunk-bed style, per room. My room was 7 girls plus Eric (love it). I literally thought I was back at camp-arguing over who's turn it was to shower, listening to people snore at night, hearing alarm clocks go off at different times in the morning.. Great times. Actually it made me miss camp and I secretly loved it. All 60 of us were on the same floor in the hostel in rooms next door to each other. Once again, we TOOK OVER Gilligan's. And it was fantastic. We showered and changed and got on another bus to head to our first event-Aboriginal culture dinner. The bus ride was insane-60 wound up kids singing songs and being obnoxious. It literally was like camp. The joke of the trip quickly became, "RUSH IES!" because it literally felt like one giant frat. Iota Epsilon Sigma. Don't hate.
We watched an Aboriginal performance, and we got to join in learning chants and dance moves. We gathered in a circle for a fire making ceremony outside, and they painted our faces and handed us clap sticks to create a beat for them. Under the full moon, it was pretty incredible. Our friend Chris got pulled up to attempt to create fire and join them in a dance. Amusing, to say the least. The performance was followed by a much needed all-you-can-eat buffet. So very American. I do not need another buffet as long as I live. Every day consisted of multiple buffets, and needless to say, my pants have become quite tight. Whoops... In the gift shop afterwards, people learned how to play the digeridoo, bought boomerangs, and enjoyed looking at the gorgeous Aboriginal art. We went back to Gilligan's for a night out with the crew. Definitely a night for the books. It was in people's top 3 favorite moments of the entire trip, so you know it must have been good. Almost every single IES kid went to the Gilligan's dance club-I have never seen so many happy people in my life. Everyone was just so excited to be on break and with all their friends. It was a giant sweaty blast (99% humidity in Cairns, I swear to God). I should have brought more clothes because I sweated through ALL of them within hours. Gotta love the sun though. Day 1=exhausting success.
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