July 12-exploring/settling in

Our first day--We had all slept the night through and had awoke to the sound of tropical birds--parrots, cockatoos,  gallahs, and more.  The sun shining, the air barely cool, and we finally got to see this place with our own eyes.  What a yard!  Palm trees, pool, play set, sandbox, bikes, scooters, and so much room to play!  We quickly met Fiona's parents  who were, of course, as lovely as could be.  Franky and Gurty and Detroit and Shelby came by with lunch, and Matt took his first driving lesson--all went well, and thus started our days here.  

We have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome we have received ever since we arrived. First the birthday party for Bryson that Franky and Gurty put on --complete with playmates, cake, and present.  Then came the barbeque-thrown in our honor by what seemed to be the entire B-shift.   Delicious food, good company, and even a possum so much fun the kids kept going until 10:00pm.  We've also graciously been given all sorts of tasty gifts-coconuts, fish--(they have salmon here--didn't know that), tomatoes, and wine.  Beginning to feel that it's too good to be true.  The only hint that there might be trouble to come is everybody's forboding talk about the upcoming build-up--for our friends back home, that's the worst time of year when the humidity reaches 90+% and the heat is up in the 80's. -90's--not for another 1 1/2 months.   For now this seems like utopia. 

First real challenge--driving.  Fortunately the Aussies have all sorts of nifty signs on the road that say things like "stay left" and "wrong way".  And unlike Anchorage in the winter, here you can see all the lines on the road--which really keep you where your supposed to be. Matt and I kept finding ourselves, veering away from the medians because the perspective is off, you just keep thinking your impinging on the lane of the oncoming traffic, meanwhile your driving off the road all together.  Eventually, we'll figure this out and we'll stop hitting the wipers instead of the blinker, and eventually (I hope), I'll learn how to park in a parking garage without having to do the X, Y, Z parking maneuver to pull in straight-Matt's got that one figured out already. Harder than any of the road rules for me is that I've had to learn how to drive stick over here, my only saving grace in this regard is that there aren't any hills around here for me to stall out on.  

Facing the driving challenge, we've been out exploring and have discovered beautiful beaches, parks, and  the city as well.  We're beginning to know a few of the major streets, and are getting oriented.  We can't get enough of this idyllic weather and this beautiful part of the country.