XOXOXO
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Last Day in Canberra
It's my last day in Canberra, and I'm not going to lie I am rather excited! We had an early morning for breakfast and check-out of the rooms by 9AM, but surprisingly this morning everyone was in a fantastic mood. We stored our bags at the AIS and made a trip to the University of Canberra where we spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon working on our research posters for the final project of our study abroad credit. We also each had an opportunity to spend ten or so minutes with Sandy asking questions on how to improve our research and narrow down some of our topics. This portion of today a seemed very long long, especially anticipating Cairns and the warm weather, but it was very helpful. We had two flights today, one from Canberra to Sydney and then finally Sydney to Cairns. This made for a long evening a travel. We left Canberra at 4PM and didn't arrive to Cairns until 11PM, but we did make it. Well today seems short on paper, but it's time for me to hit the pillow we have a full day at the Aboriginal Culture Center and the beach tomorrow. Don't worry I will wear sunscreen. Apparently there is no ozone here, so I may still come back burnt to a crisp, but at least I can say that I tried. I can't believe I am already halfway through my trip. It feels like I only got here yesterday. Also, for anyone else who is keeping track.... my 21st birthday is in 21 DAYS!!!!!!
Training Day Two at the AIS
Today was another day fully dedicated to the AIS. Luckily we got a late start this morning because our first lecture of the morning was cancelled. The speaker was stuck in NW Australia due to bad weather. We started our morning with our first speaker, Adam, who works in the Skill Acquisition department at the AIS. This lecture was very interesting because he spoke a lot about the coach and athlete relationship as well as the importance of variability and adaptability in training sessions. This talk gave me very good ideas on various ways to improve the training of athletes at an amateur and professional level. After our first lecture session we had our lunch break. After lunch we had an afternoon full of lectures. Our first lecture after lunch was given by Nathan who works in the Recovery department at the AIS. This lecture was very important to my research topic on injury prevention, so I found this lecture very interesting. Nathan focused on how important recovery is for injury prevention in the future as well as the importance of restoring the athlete to their full potential. There are many various aspects of recovery that all play a major role in restoring the athlete. Nutrition, stretching, sleep, hydrotherapy, massage, and hydration all play an equally significant role, and no one aspect is more important than the other. I was able to ask Nathan many questions that were beneficial to my final project for my study abroad program, and I even got his email to ask further questions if any come up. After Nathan we had a lecture on Strength and Conditioning given by Kym. Kym was very knowledgable about his area of study and also very talkative, so we were able to learn a lot from him. At the AIS they focus on the various areas of the body used for a particular sport, but they also realize that each athlete is different than another. Therefore, for a volleyball team of twelve players there could be 8 or 9 different work out routines. In this field of work they have to be very attentive to how the athlete feels, and know when to not push them too hard because that very often leads to injury. Our next stop on the tour of the AIS was the Biomechanics office which was very intriguing. They had hundreds of cool gadgets and gizmo's to use to measure the various aspects of athletes across all sports. For example, an athlete with an ankle or foot injury will place different points of pressure on their foot than if they are healthy. By utilizing pressure sensitive equipment the biomechanists are able to tell when an athlete is back to full recovery. They also have 3D machine capabilities to monitor running styles and cycling styles. This line of work would be ideal for engineers who are interested in sport. Next on the list was dinner, and then it was back to the rooms to relax and pack for our journey to Cairns (pronounced "cans") tomorrow. We fly from Canberra to Sydney and then Sydney to Cairns and don't get in until about 11 at night. However, our hotel is on the beach and it will be in the high 70's low 80's all week. I absolutely cannot wait!!!
See you in Cairns.
Training Day One at the AIS
Hello!
So last night when I left you we were headed to dinner and then off to the rugby game. Although it was VERY cold I had a lot of fun and it was interesting to learn a little bit about another sport that is played in America, but certainly not to the extent that it is here in Australia. This morning we had to be up early for breakfast and our first lecture of the day, which was give by a nutritionist named Adam who works for the AIS. He gave us just over an hour presentation on the importance of not only a healthy diet, but also a nutritious one. He stressed the importance of carbohydrate build up before intensive training sessions and competition as well as the importance of protein after such sessions for recovery purposes. Adam also did an excellent job in covering the various supplements that the various nutritionists and dietitians find acceptable and beneficial to be used as well as which ones are banned here in Australia. I found his lecture to be the first meaningful presentation since we arrived in Canberra.
After our stop in the Theaterette for Adams lecture we made our way to the visitors center where we began an official tour of all the training facilities on campus. We began in the aquatics center, made our way to the strength and conditioning building, the volleyball practice courts, and then the gymnastics facility. The aquatics center had an excessive amount of technical equipment to time and monitor the athletes capabilities. Currently only 20 specific athletes are allowed access to the pool at any time.
The next building we got to explore was the strength and conditioning facility. This facility had more weights than about three gyms combined back home and they were also much nicer. In this one room there was a strip of floor which was actually the same piece of track that Usaine Bolt set his world record on in the 100m dash. Needless to say this piece of track is worth a great deal of money.
The next major section of this building held the volleyball courts. There are two practice courts in this facility and according to our tour guide none of the Australian mens volleyball players have ever been under 6'5". Unfortunately in 2004 the women's volleyball team was cut from the national rankings because of the lack of performance, so they are no longer supported by the AIS. Up in the viewers section where we were taking our tour was a net that was set at the height of the actual net on the floor. I couldn't even reach the top even if I jumped. Another interesting thing about the first court is that it is the same court that was used in the Sydney Olympics. They rolled up the court and placed it on this new gym floor. It also set a new standard for courts worldwide.
Our next stop on the tour was the gymnastic facility where we were lucky enough to see the athletes actually in training. One of the athletes I got a picture of on the balance beam was the World's gold medalist and is their best hope in a medal at the London Olympics, Lauren Mitchell. Their training did not look very intense overall, but very demanding as far as mental preparation and skill.
The final stop of our tour was back to the visitors center where they have a room to try out different olympic athletes skills and games, which we got to play in for a while.
After our tour we had a short break before lunch, and then after lunch was our 90 minute training session with two women's olympic basketball players. We began our session with a good warm up and then quite a few ball handling skills. Then a few various shooting drills such as layups, 3 point shots, and free throws. After all of the technical stuff we got to have some fun. We played a few rounds of knock out, and then split up into teams to play a little 5 on 5. I forgot how much I lack in hand-eye coordination. Good thing I played soccer for so long I would have never lasted in basketball.
Another quick break and then we were able to take a quick tour of the SSSM (Sports Science and Sports Medicine). This facility houses all of the on site doctors as well as physiotherapists, biomechanists, and massage therapist. This facility is very well equipped and the turn around for almost all of their tests is 24 hours. Unfortunately, because the physiotherapy department conducts research we were unable to take photos in this facility. After a tour of this building it was another short break and then off to dinner. Since this was the first day I had done a lot in a couple of days by the time dinner rolled around I was hungry. At 7PM we had a lecture with one of the actual AIS athletes and how they train on site. The athlete that spoke to us was Shane Mark Alexander and he is on the men's Australian volleyball team. Since volleyball is not a huge sport here in Australia Shane and his fellow teammates travel to Europe to play in their leagues for 8 months (always in the winter) and then spend the next four months in Canberra at the AIS (also in the winter). Many of these guys have not seen a summer in over 5 years. I couldn't even imagine. Cutting my summer short these past two weeks has been depressing let alone 5 years. Luckily, the Australian mens team just in the past week qualified for the olympics, so they will be one of twelve teams competing for a medal. I know who I will be going for as long as they aren't against the USA.
After a very fun and entertaining Q&A with Shane it was back to the rooms for a movie and bed. Another busy day ahead tomorrow. Goodnight!
So last night when I left you we were headed to dinner and then off to the rugby game. Although it was VERY cold I had a lot of fun and it was interesting to learn a little bit about another sport that is played in America, but certainly not to the extent that it is here in Australia. This morning we had to be up early for breakfast and our first lecture of the day, which was give by a nutritionist named Adam who works for the AIS. He gave us just over an hour presentation on the importance of not only a healthy diet, but also a nutritious one. He stressed the importance of carbohydrate build up before intensive training sessions and competition as well as the importance of protein after such sessions for recovery purposes. Adam also did an excellent job in covering the various supplements that the various nutritionists and dietitians find acceptable and beneficial to be used as well as which ones are banned here in Australia. I found his lecture to be the first meaningful presentation since we arrived in Canberra.
After our stop in the Theaterette for Adams lecture we made our way to the visitors center where we began an official tour of all the training facilities on campus. We began in the aquatics center, made our way to the strength and conditioning building, the volleyball practice courts, and then the gymnastics facility. The aquatics center had an excessive amount of technical equipment to time and monitor the athletes capabilities. Currently only 20 specific athletes are allowed access to the pool at any time.
The next building we got to explore was the strength and conditioning facility. This facility had more weights than about three gyms combined back home and they were also much nicer. In this one room there was a strip of floor which was actually the same piece of track that Usaine Bolt set his world record on in the 100m dash. Needless to say this piece of track is worth a great deal of money.
The next major section of this building held the volleyball courts. There are two practice courts in this facility and according to our tour guide none of the Australian mens volleyball players have ever been under 6'5". Unfortunately in 2004 the women's volleyball team was cut from the national rankings because of the lack of performance, so they are no longer supported by the AIS. Up in the viewers section where we were taking our tour was a net that was set at the height of the actual net on the floor. I couldn't even reach the top even if I jumped. Another interesting thing about the first court is that it is the same court that was used in the Sydney Olympics. They rolled up the court and placed it on this new gym floor. It also set a new standard for courts worldwide.
Our next stop on the tour was the gymnastic facility where we were lucky enough to see the athletes actually in training. One of the athletes I got a picture of on the balance beam was the World's gold medalist and is their best hope in a medal at the London Olympics, Lauren Mitchell. Their training did not look very intense overall, but very demanding as far as mental preparation and skill.
The final stop of our tour was back to the visitors center where they have a room to try out different olympic athletes skills and games, which we got to play in for a while.
After our tour we had a short break before lunch, and then after lunch was our 90 minute training session with two women's olympic basketball players. We began our session with a good warm up and then quite a few ball handling skills. Then a few various shooting drills such as layups, 3 point shots, and free throws. After all of the technical stuff we got to have some fun. We played a few rounds of knock out, and then split up into teams to play a little 5 on 5. I forgot how much I lack in hand-eye coordination. Good thing I played soccer for so long I would have never lasted in basketball.
Another quick break and then we were able to take a quick tour of the SSSM (Sports Science and Sports Medicine). This facility houses all of the on site doctors as well as physiotherapists, biomechanists, and massage therapist. This facility is very well equipped and the turn around for almost all of their tests is 24 hours. Unfortunately, because the physiotherapy department conducts research we were unable to take photos in this facility. After a tour of this building it was another short break and then off to dinner. Since this was the first day I had done a lot in a couple of days by the time dinner rolled around I was hungry. At 7PM we had a lecture with one of the actual AIS athletes and how they train on site. The athlete that spoke to us was Shane Mark Alexander and he is on the men's Australian volleyball team. Since volleyball is not a huge sport here in Australia Shane and his fellow teammates travel to Europe to play in their leagues for 8 months (always in the winter) and then spend the next four months in Canberra at the AIS (also in the winter). Many of these guys have not seen a summer in over 5 years. I couldn't even imagine. Cutting my summer short these past two weeks has been depressing let alone 5 years. Luckily, the Australian mens team just in the past week qualified for the olympics, so they will be one of twelve teams competing for a medal. I know who I will be going for as long as they aren't against the USA.
After a very fun and entertaining Q&A with Shane it was back to the rooms for a movie and bed. Another busy day ahead tomorrow. Goodnight!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
A Day at the University of Canberra
Good Morning Everyone in America,
I have come to the conclusion after yesterday and today that I am not of fan of Canberra, Australia. I have not found it nearly as exciting and fun as Melbourne, and there is not as many crazy adventures to go on. However, I only have until Friday here and I am going to make the most of it! At least Wednesday and Thursday we have full training and lecture sessions at the Australian Institute of Sport, so I will actually be able to experience what I came to this city for. This morning right after breakfast we took a walk to the University of Canberra campus where we met up with our teachers and some of their colleagues to learn a little bit more about our research presentations due for the course as well as what they are studying here in Canberra. Our first speaker of the day was Keith who was very interested in making learning and communication worldwide more accessible to everyone. He doesn't believe in paper or in having an office. He prefers to have all of his material accessible to his students online and holds his office hours in the teachers commons where students often come and go during the day. His philosophy on learning was very different and interesting, but I learned some interesting new ways to use Facebook and Twitter for communication. After Keith Disa, one of our teachers for the course, gave a presentation on how we are suppose to create our research poster in PowerPoint, and she also gave us examples of quality work which was very helpful. Once we got through all of our questions regarding our project she went through and discussed her area of research. She studies the affects of osteoporosis in older generations and ways to prevent it. So far they are utilizing a program called HeartSavers which gets the older generation active and works specifically on balance techniques to decrease the risk of injury due to falls. One statistic that stuck out in my mind was that after an elderly person breaks their hip there is about a 50% chance of them passing away in the next twelve months. After Disa one of her colleagues, originally from Spain, was doing her research for her PhD in triathlon training. Specifically the affects on the amount of power exerted by an athlete and their ability to continue on the the next leg of the competition. Her presentation was very technical and hard to follow, but by the end the research made a lot of sense and seemed very beneficial to athletes training for a triathlon. The next woman that came to speak was Kate and her research had to do with lymphedema. This condition is the blockage of lymph vessels which drain fluid from tissues throughout the body. This condition is very common in those with cancer, and is most prominent in women with breast cancer, which was Kate's area of study. She conducted a study to see if lifting weights and exercise would improve or atrophy the fluid build up, particularly in the arms of women who have or have had breast cancer. Her findings were that although the exercise wasn't significantly beneficial it did not cause any adverse affects. She hopes to continue her research further and is giving a presentation in Europe, I believe, later this year, so we were good practice for her. The final colleague who spoke about their research gave a presentation on drugs in sports. her studies focused on how the public perceived drugs (whether recreational or performance enhancing) versus how the athletes viewed the use of them in their sports. It was interesting to find that athletes would report frequent use of drugs in sport, but when it came to the breakdown on drug use by sport those numbers were significantly lower. So many of the players acknowledge the use of drugs, but are diverting the eye away from their sport. Tonight we are attending an Australian rugby match between the Brombies and Wales, so before we left the lecture hall we had one more presentation explaining the rules and logistics of rugby union football. This presentation was very informative, but he kept putting down American football. Another walk back to the AIS and we were free to relax until dinner and then we are out into the freezing cold for the Brombies game. Luckily, the stadium is on sight at the AIS, but according to Disa it is suppose to get down to -1 degree Celsius which is below freezing in Farenheit. For now I am curled up in blankets finishing this post and watching Transformers 3, but I will certainly let you know tomorrow how the game went. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but like I said there really isn't a while lot to do our take pictures of in this facility. Tomorrow and Thursday we are finally getting to train like the athletes and meet/ listen to lectures from some of the Physio's (Physical Therapist), coaches, and athletes, so hopefully it will liven up my perception of this city.
~TTFN
I have come to the conclusion after yesterday and today that I am not of fan of Canberra, Australia. I have not found it nearly as exciting and fun as Melbourne, and there is not as many crazy adventures to go on. However, I only have until Friday here and I am going to make the most of it! At least Wednesday and Thursday we have full training and lecture sessions at the Australian Institute of Sport, so I will actually be able to experience what I came to this city for. This morning right after breakfast we took a walk to the University of Canberra campus where we met up with our teachers and some of their colleagues to learn a little bit more about our research presentations due for the course as well as what they are studying here in Canberra. Our first speaker of the day was Keith who was very interested in making learning and communication worldwide more accessible to everyone. He doesn't believe in paper or in having an office. He prefers to have all of his material accessible to his students online and holds his office hours in the teachers commons where students often come and go during the day. His philosophy on learning was very different and interesting, but I learned some interesting new ways to use Facebook and Twitter for communication. After Keith Disa, one of our teachers for the course, gave a presentation on how we are suppose to create our research poster in PowerPoint, and she also gave us examples of quality work which was very helpful. Once we got through all of our questions regarding our project she went through and discussed her area of research. She studies the affects of osteoporosis in older generations and ways to prevent it. So far they are utilizing a program called HeartSavers which gets the older generation active and works specifically on balance techniques to decrease the risk of injury due to falls. One statistic that stuck out in my mind was that after an elderly person breaks their hip there is about a 50% chance of them passing away in the next twelve months. After Disa one of her colleagues, originally from Spain, was doing her research for her PhD in triathlon training. Specifically the affects on the amount of power exerted by an athlete and their ability to continue on the the next leg of the competition. Her presentation was very technical and hard to follow, but by the end the research made a lot of sense and seemed very beneficial to athletes training for a triathlon. The next woman that came to speak was Kate and her research had to do with lymphedema. This condition is the blockage of lymph vessels which drain fluid from tissues throughout the body. This condition is very common in those with cancer, and is most prominent in women with breast cancer, which was Kate's area of study. She conducted a study to see if lifting weights and exercise would improve or atrophy the fluid build up, particularly in the arms of women who have or have had breast cancer. Her findings were that although the exercise wasn't significantly beneficial it did not cause any adverse affects. She hopes to continue her research further and is giving a presentation in Europe, I believe, later this year, so we were good practice for her. The final colleague who spoke about their research gave a presentation on drugs in sports. her studies focused on how the public perceived drugs (whether recreational or performance enhancing) versus how the athletes viewed the use of them in their sports. It was interesting to find that athletes would report frequent use of drugs in sport, but when it came to the breakdown on drug use by sport those numbers were significantly lower. So many of the players acknowledge the use of drugs, but are diverting the eye away from their sport. Tonight we are attending an Australian rugby match between the Brombies and Wales, so before we left the lecture hall we had one more presentation explaining the rules and logistics of rugby union football. This presentation was very informative, but he kept putting down American football. Another walk back to the AIS and we were free to relax until dinner and then we are out into the freezing cold for the Brombies game. Luckily, the stadium is on sight at the AIS, but according to Disa it is suppose to get down to -1 degree Celsius which is below freezing in Farenheit. For now I am curled up in blankets finishing this post and watching Transformers 3, but I will certainly let you know tomorrow how the game went. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but like I said there really isn't a while lot to do our take pictures of in this facility. Tomorrow and Thursday we are finally getting to train like the athletes and meet/ listen to lectures from some of the Physio's (Physical Therapist), coaches, and athletes, so hopefully it will liven up my perception of this city.
~TTFN
Monday, June 11, 2012
Canberra Day 2
Well today was a public holiday because of the queen's birthday, so we had another full free day in Canberra. This morning was very quiet and relaxing. I got an opportunity to FaceTime with my family and I was able to catch up on some emails and upload my photos to my computer. I also was able to finally do a load of laundry, which was good cause I was starting to run out of my warm clothes. In the afternoon some girls and I decided to make our way into Canberra to tour the war memorial and to sight see. Before we walked to the bus we stopped to get some hot chocolate from the Recreation Room. It may be the only thing that is keeping me toasty warm on the inside. When we got on the bus we were unsure which stop to get off at and when we asked the bus driver she wasn't very helpful either, and very rude. After a few stops some locals got on the bus and we decided to ask them for directions. However, after talking to all of them for a while I was pretty sure that they were all homeless. One of the guys was spitting everywhere, and it was quite disgusting. Needless to say we missed our bus stop and by this time all of us were frustrated, so we just wanted to take the bus back around to where we started and chill in our rooms watching a movie or something. However, once we got to a stop literally in the middle of nowhere the bus driver told us that the bus route wasn't a circuit and that she had time to take a toilet break. We were expecting to sit on the bus and just wait, but she kicked us off and said she would be back in about twenty minutes. All of us didn't want anything to do with that lady again, so we walked into this huge building where there seemed to be a lot of people and discovered it was an outlet mall. That may have been the highlight of our day. So instead of going back to the terrible bus driver we decided to make our way around the outlet mall and catch another bus that would get us back to the Institute at a later time. I made the purchase of the trip too... a brand new pair of heel booties for $60 that were originally $179 and they are real Italian leather. Too bad I can't wear them in the states for a few more months since they are winter shoes. After a couple hours in the outlet mall we caught the bus back just in time for dinner, and after dinner it was another chill night of relaxing and movie watching. A group of us got together in the TV room to watch the Dark Night (Batman Movie), but before the movie was halfway over I was ready for bed and made my way to my room and the top bunk. Canberra has certainly been an adventure and an experience, but I am no where near in love with it as much as I was with Melbourne. I think a lot of it has to do with the lack of plans and structure we have had the past couple of days, but I will let you know by the end of tomorrow how it goes because we actually have a day of lectures and a rugby game planned.
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.
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.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Last Day in Melbourne
Hello Again!
Sorry I have been a little behind on my blog. We have had a very busy past couple of days and I have been typing it, but have not had the opportunity to get internet access to post it. Today was my last day in Melbourne and I have to say it was probably my favorite day so far. We had an early morning this morning to get on the bus to the Queen Victoria Market, which is the largest market in the southern hemisphere.
All of the aboriginal artwork and decorative boomerangs were absolutely exquisite. I could not take my eyes off of it, nor could I find myself walking away from the one shop that had fully authentic aboriginal art. However, I did spend quite a bit of money, but I found some very nice gifts for quite a few of you back home! I wish we would have had more time in the shops though. After lunch we made our way back to the hotel where we had a quick break before meeting up at the Batman (not like Batman and Robin, Batman as in one of the founders of Victoria) Hotel for the Australian Rules Football Game.
After we had a few of the game rules explained to us we made our way to the stadium. I wore my teams colors and scarf that I bought after their training practice earlier this week, and I also got my face painted. The game started out very slow and boring because unfortunately Sydney was beating Essendon pretty bad. However, in the last quarter of the game Essendon kicked it up a notch and it was a fight to the finish, but unfortunately they lost by 4 points. During the game we were given an Australian delicacy, meat pies, as our dinner. They are almost like pot pies with ground beef and gravy. Typically Aussies put tomato sauce (Ketchup) on top before they eat it. It was not my favorite food by far, but I can at least say I tried it and it wasn't half bad!
Well we have to be in the lobby by 6:30AM to head to the airport, but I will give you an update on the new city shortly! I will certainly miss Melbourne, but I have plenty of memories to keep with me for a lifetime!
Goodnight Everyone, or Good Morning in America!
Sorry I have been a little behind on my blog. We have had a very busy past couple of days and I have been typing it, but have not had the opportunity to get internet access to post it. Today was my last day in Melbourne and I have to say it was probably my favorite day so far. We had an early morning this morning to get on the bus to the Queen Victoria Market, which is the largest market in the southern hemisphere.
All of the aboriginal artwork and decorative boomerangs were absolutely exquisite. I could not take my eyes off of it, nor could I find myself walking away from the one shop that had fully authentic aboriginal art. However, I did spend quite a bit of money, but I found some very nice gifts for quite a few of you back home! I wish we would have had more time in the shops though. After lunch we made our way back to the hotel where we had a quick break before meeting up at the Batman (not like Batman and Robin, Batman as in one of the founders of Victoria) Hotel for the Australian Rules Football Game.
After we had a few of the game rules explained to us we made our way to the stadium. I wore my teams colors and scarf that I bought after their training practice earlier this week, and I also got my face painted. The game started out very slow and boring because unfortunately Sydney was beating Essendon pretty bad. However, in the last quarter of the game Essendon kicked it up a notch and it was a fight to the finish, but unfortunately they lost by 4 points. During the game we were given an Australian delicacy, meat pies, as our dinner. They are almost like pot pies with ground beef and gravy. Typically Aussies put tomato sauce (Ketchup) on top before they eat it. It was not my favorite food by far, but I can at least say I tried it and it wasn't half bad!
Well we have to be in the lobby by 6:30AM to head to the airport, but I will give you an update on the new city shortly! I will certainly miss Melbourne, but I have plenty of memories to keep with me for a lifetime!
Goodnight Everyone, or Good Morning in America!
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