Whoa, y'all, that was kind of hard. But we made it. I am blogging from Australia, where it is currently late Tuesday afternoon. I think in my Atlanta time zone right now it is Flursday, the 39th of June, in the year of the Llama. Seriously, I have no idea, and it is so disorienting. I keep thinking that if I can figure out what time it "really" is, then that will help me somehow with this jetlag situation, which at this point is not so much physical as spiritual, honest. I voiced this feeling last night at dinner, and Amy said, "Okay, I can tell you exactly what time it is there. In Atlanta it's 5:00 in the morning, Monday." And I was like, "That is so creepy." It didn't help at all.
Also, it is winter here. We knew that, and we packed warmer clothes. It's not like hardcore winter anyway--more like a Northern California winter. But the sun is in totally the wrong place, and it gets dark by 5:30, or 17:30 as they call it, freaks. Last night as I was grappling with the notion of June 27th, and what happened to it--I mean, we flew to Sydney on June 26th, and we arrived on June 28th, so someone owes me a June 27th--Mom had a revelation. We were talking about how early it got dark, and she was like, "I get it! We just had the summer solstice, which was our longest day of the year, but down here it was their shortest day of the year!" Dad laughed at her like she was a complete simpleton to just be figuring this out, but it seemed like a major epiphany to me too. Be gentle with us, we are not from around here. Today when I was ordering fries for Hank, or "chips," God help us, I was offered "chicken salt" to go on them. Chicken salt! What the HECKS! I've asked if it is actually chicken-flavored, but nobody will quite give me a straight answer.
Matt just helpfully explained that we did in fact have a June 27th. It lasted from when it struck midnight as we flew over the Pacific until we crossed the International Date Line into June 28th. Hmmph.
Tomorrow (whenever that even is) I'll share the saga of our journey with you, and how I came to learn that Hank's underwear will not fit over my head, at least not loosely enough to be comfortable. I hope that you all had a good weekend (whenever that even was).
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
21 comments:
I was wondering how the trip went. I have an Aussie blog buddy that freaks me out all the time. The whole Celsius thing is crazy. "Chicken salt" ? What the...? You must get a decent explanation for that one.
"Chicken salt" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasoned_salt
Yeah, I know that wikipedia is not an authoritative source. Sue me...I'm lazy.
Chicken salt?? Is that related somehow to lemon pepper?
That place sounds confusing. Chicken salt and chips? No thank you.
Oh how funny. All I know about Australia is Nicole Kidman, the awfulness that is Vegemite and some big rock someplace. Looking forward to learning more!
I would be totally confused as well. Have a wonderful time!
Oh jet lag...something I am not looking forward to experiencing in a few days! So excited for you guys and hope the trip is great! Can't wait to hear more about your adventures ;)
Good to hear you're in Australia and doing well. Hope it's fabulous!
You can have my June 27th. It wasn't that great, but maybe you can sleep through it. You know, to help with the jet lag.
Have a wonderful time! Can't wait to hear more about your travels.
Wow that is so weird. Sorry to hear that you missed my birthday (June 27th). Too bad I wasn't with you I could stay the same age for another year. Hey, I see a trip to Australia coming just before my 40th birthday!
Glad you made it there ok but I'm very sorry that you lost a day. I should demand compensation from the Australian Government if I were you!
You made it! I know you're having a great time. Your sis and Jason are excellent hosts.
Happy Birthday, Messy Mom! And thanks for the chicken salt link, Michele. So it really does contain chicken. That. is. weird.
And you know what else is funny, Cathy, speaking of Nicole Kidman, turns out her sister is a big celebrity here. I guess it makes sense. Also, TomKat just touched down in Melbourne, where Katie is going to be filming a movie, and her contract says that she'll be surrounded by a group of Scientology handlers at all times. I've been reading an Aussie gossip mag.
We managed to sleep all the way past dawn today, so things are lookin' up!
I know your feeling about the missing day. It really is like traveling in a wacky time machine when you go over there. When you come back, however, it will just be a ridiculously long day. I never really knew the difference with chicken salt either...but in any case try Oportos...I like their chicken sandwich. Share my love with everyone! pat
Sounds like fun! Be warned: the jet lag on the flight back is much worse. Enjoy your time there! Australia is beautiful and the people are unbelievably friendly and gracious. We'll take care of the US while you're away.
that is weird. is the water going down the drain the wrong way weird too?
glad you guys made it! if you see mick dundee, tell him i said hi.
Oh boy. I hope your re-entry through the earth's atmosphere is not too painful. At least you'll get that day back, though, when you do get here.
Love that you're there! I feel your extreme jet lag and time warp confusion. My in-laws live there and coordinating phone calls is ridiculous and the flight? I hate to break it to you but it's bad on the way back. I don't know why, but it is. It's currently 98 in Atlanta and a million percent humidity, all week, so enjoy your weather! Go to the beach. sigh. jealous.
We crossed over the international date line once on my Mom's birthday. She still maintains she's a year younger because she didn't get a birthday that year.
I hope the Aussies have figured out "drip coffee" a little better since I was there. Otherwise, order a "flat white".
Um...I think. It's been a while.
Is it wrong that chicken salt sounds DELICIOUS to me?
And I hope you weren't putting underpants on your head because you're upside down. Doesn't work that way! :) (I think?)
Post a Comment