We had a wonderful day today at our first Aussie BBQ. We went over to Lesley and her husband Chris's beautiful house and met and chatted with some of their friends. I have learned so much in the last five hours! Here is what they taught us. (We had lots of questions!)
1. The household furniture and junk piled up in front of people's houses is not people being evicted from their houses. Instead, NSW has a system where you can call up the gov up to 6 times a year and have them come to your house to pick up your garbage that won't fit in the bin. Some people just put stuff out early, and that is why it has been sitting there since we arrived. 2. The "pinging" sound we hear out the window when we drive through certain forested areas are called "bell birds." Watch the video below. Enchanting. 3. The lizards Olin and I saw on our walk to the store this morning are called water dragons. 4. Non-Aboriginal Australians do not hunt and eat Kangaroo. Aboriginal tribal people do though. 5. Australians do not have a road-kill charity program like we do in Alaska where roadkill meat is donated to charity. 6. When you go to an Aussie BBQ you bring your own meat and your own drinks. 7. Beer is not the go-to drink at a BBQ here like it is in the US. We're bringing a bottle of wine to share next time! 8. If you encounter a bull red-kangaroo who is agressive back up slowly without losing eye contact with the roo. 9. The bull bars in front of cars here are also called "roo bars" and they are to protect your car from collisions with kangaroos. 10. Koala are really loud when they mate. So are possum. 11. When it is this hot, people come HERE to the Central Coast to get away from the heat and to go on holiday. 12. It is going to be 40C tomorrow (104F). 13. My kids CAN get sunburns! Up until today Olin had burned an ear and that was it. Today they got toasty. They had an unexpected swim at Lesley's pool (she told me she had one but I forgot). The kids were already in the pool before I had a chance to put sunscreen on, and then with all the great conversation I just forgot. (Lots on our minds I guess!) 14. There is a dead wallaby at by the roundabout of Chittaway and Pacific Hwy. 15. "It is important to put sunscreen on." - Olin. 16. Australian Brush Turkeys (Olin and I saw some young ones today) are not liked much by people here because they get into your yard and make huge mounds. 17. Red kangaroo really do punch! 18. Some venomous snakes are agressive and will actually attack you, or your vehicle (like a tractor if you are riding on one.) 19. Some venomous snakes are actually desired by farmers because they only make you sick if they bite you, but they hunt the kinds of snakes that will kill you if they bite you. 20. People are sometimes called "galah" which means that they are "stupid." It is a word that also describes the bird that we saw when we left Lesley and Chris's. 21. Australian hospitality is wonderful! Thank you Lesley and Chris!
2 Comments
Lesley Tobin
1/10/2017 03:08:56
We had a great day too guys - funny reading the things you learned!! How are the kids coping with their sunburn😱😱😱😱?
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Myla Liljemark
1/10/2017 12:45:40
:) Alta's isn't too bad. Olin's was a bit worse, but I have a feeling that every time he's out in the sun again he is going to be reminding ME to put sun screen on him!
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AuthorThe Liljemark's enjoy exploring the world. This blog chronicles our adventures. Archives
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