Re-O' Week

Classes began on Monday, I am taking Musics of the World, Marine Ecology, Immunology and Virology and Pop Culture: Passion, Styles and Vibe.

Rode a kangaroo to Uni this week. No big deal.

One thing that I'm crazy about here in Adelaide is the awesome Chinatown. Last week I went to a fabulous dimsum place and then afterwards had bubble tea. No tipping or sales tax here!

This last week has been tumultuous, to say the least. Since I'm new to St. Marks (my residential college), I'm considered a freshman so I have to participate in all of the freshman activities. Monday was Pub Crawl, Tuesday-Christmas in July, Wednesday Freaks and Geeks Quiz Night, tonight was floor night where we went out to a buffet (they are evidently rare here). Re-O'Week ends on Saturday with a black-tie ball. I am feeling like I am in a fraternity.

Victor Harbor

Today we took a trip an hour south to Victor Harbor, a beautiful beach town in South Australia. We took an amazing hour hike along Granite Island, saw penguins and visited the bluffs where whales frequent this time of the year.

Afterwards we drove to an open range wildlife reserve where there were kangaroos, koalas, wallabys, dingos, wombats and other silly looking animals. I saw and fed my first kangaroo in Australia and held a koala. We also saw a crocodile try unsuccessfully to eat a bird. Overall it was a pretty amazing day.

Monday, July 19th

This morning we had orientation with many other international students. There were a large number of Americans but I met a lovely German girl. There are many events held through the orientation week and one of those is a trip to Victor Harbor on Thursday.

This is the time of the year when there are many whales, seals and koala's off of the bluff.

This is the cathedral next to my college. It is a nice landmark that can be seen from anywhere in the city in case I get lost.

Wednesday night is international student pub night where we meet all of the other students that are living at the college (230 of them) and have a good time. It will be intense.

Fun fact: Koala's eat primarily eucalyptus leaves which has phenolic and terpene compounds that are powerful natural disinfectants and can be toxic. Their liver breaks down the toxins and they have huge hindguts in order to absorb as many nutrients as they can. They know what to eat by smelling the phenolic toxins.

Day 2

This is the view from my window above Fiji and associated islands.

I am settled in to St. Mark's College and my first impression is that it is much like Hogwarts.

I have seen a wild possum, parrots, pelican and black swans roaming around. All of the pigeons are even larger.

The weather is freezing here, 50-60F during the afternoon but super cold at night.

So far all of the Australians that I have met have been super friendly and helpful. I look forward to meeting many more when 'holiday' ends in a week.

Adelaide as a city reminds me a little of Indianapolis, but everything is very accessible. There is a beach nearby, many conservation parks with kangaroos, wallaby's and koala's.