Off to Canberra

A very early start to the day took us to the airport where we checked in got through security and were off to Canberra! My biggest concern when we first landed was whether or not I would have all of my luggage luckily, everyone's bags made it. Our first step outside was like a step into an icebox. The air was freezing cold and crisp, but we finally got to see the sun, which we hadn't seen in about 4 days, so it was perfect! After a short bus ride we arrived at the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) where the Australian Olympians train, just like the training facility in Utah for the U.S. Olympians.

Unfortunately, these accommodations are a little less upscale than the last ones in Melbourne.

There is no central heating or air conditioning, but we have a small space heater. However, it doesn't work very well and our room is FREEZING cold. I actually went to bed last night with two pairs of socks on, sweat pants, a long sleeve shirt, and pull over sweatshirt and I was still cold. Our first lunch on the AIS campus was very good. All of their food is specially prepared and cooked fairly healthy, so after a week of junk I felt a little bit better about what I was eating. Our time for lunch is nighttime in America, so game 7 of the series between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics was on TV in the dining hall. Just at the start of the fourth quarter the Australian basketball team came strolling in to eat lunch and they became fascinated by the game. It was very interesting to watch the final quarter with them. We didn't have anything planned for our first day in Canberra, so it was up to us to find something to do. Some girls and I decided to walk to a "nearby" mall. On our walk we spotted our first kangaroos of the trip that we could see up close and get pictures of.

The kangaroos were so calm and relaxed that we were around. We were actually kicking it with the kangaroos. Our "nearby" walk ended up taking us over an hour and a half, but we finally made it. The main goal of the trip was to find food for snacks since we aren't nearby the city and our meal times are scheduled we wanted to have snacks available in case we were hungry. For some reason this mall had a supermarket in it, so we were able to do a little looking around and get snacks at the same time. Instead of walking back we decided to take the city bus which definitely didn't take us as long. We managed to get back just in time for dinner and then we were all exhausted. A few of us hung out in the Rec Room on site for a little while playing cards, ping pong, and pool. A couple of Australian boxers came in and started playing some pool with us. While we were talking to them we realized they were younger guys (17-18 years), and they were there to help train the Olympic athletes. Almost like their teammates. After we got kicked out of the Rec Room so they could close it we all called it a night. It was a long first day in Canberra. I wish we would have had something planned to do.