Over these past couple of weeks, I’ve done my best to embrace the sporty, outdoorsy, and beachy Aussie lifestyle.
This began with a group excursion to Caversham Wildlife Park where we finally met all of the animals of Australia: Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats, Snakes, etc. Disclaimer: Contrary to popular belief, no, kangaroos do not just hop around all over the place (at least not in Freo) and for the record, I have not seen one poisonous creature or heard of one shark spotting since I’ve been here. In reality, this wildlife excursion became one big photo-op (Sorry, not sorry, for flooding your newsfeeds with countless, cheesy wildlife pictures).
In case you missed all the pics, or simply can’t get enough of the animal cuteness, here are some highlights of the trip. (Photography by Minelik Sisay)…..
This began with a group excursion to Caversham Wildlife Park where we finally met all of the animals of Australia: Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats, Snakes, etc. Disclaimer: Contrary to popular belief, no, kangaroos do not just hop around all over the place (at least not in Freo) and for the record, I have not seen one poisonous creature or heard of one shark spotting since I’ve been here. In reality, this wildlife excursion became one big photo-op (Sorry, not sorry, for flooding your newsfeeds with countless, cheesy wildlife pictures).
In case you missed all the pics, or simply can’t get enough of the animal cuteness, here are some highlights of the trip. (Photography by Minelik Sisay)…..
Beyond the wildlife, I have always associated Australia with the beach. Those who know me well know that I haven’t always been the keenest beach person, but since living here, I am warming up to the beach bum lifestyle. The beach is just such an integral part of life here. I run alongside the beach regularly, watching the sunrise in the mornings or the sunset in the evenings. We bike to the beach some days after class and spend a large chunk of our weekends there swimming, playing sports, and catching some sun. I am happy to report that I haven’t gotten burned (…yet!) and that my beach volleyball game has improved significantly (as in I no longer miss the ball every time I try to hit it). Let’s just hope all those sharks and jellyfish stay away, right?
Speaking of sports, I have been playing/watching a lot of them lately (cue workout music video).
It all started last week with a zorb soccer tournament…
Speaking of sports, I have been playing/watching a lot of them lately (cue workout music video).
It all started last week with a zorb soccer tournament…
Playing soccer while trapped in a large bubble is both understandably hilarious and surprisingly exhausting.
This past weekend, a group of us participated in the Bunbury Challenge. This was essentially an inter-collegiate sports tournament hosted at a small Uni (Australian for College) a couple hours south of Perth. In addition to winning the gold medal in volleyball, we learned two new sports: netball and lawn bowling. The latter is essentially bocce with a few twists, while the former is a whole other can of worms. Netball, which is a big deal over here and in many other Commonwealth countries, is similar to basketball – but a basketball game with all the fun taken out. It turns the game into a highly technical and rule-governed game of monkey in the middle. It was awful.
This past weekend, a group of us participated in the Bunbury Challenge. This was essentially an inter-collegiate sports tournament hosted at a small Uni (Australian for College) a couple hours south of Perth. In addition to winning the gold medal in volleyball, we learned two new sports: netball and lawn bowling. The latter is essentially bocce with a few twists, while the former is a whole other can of worms. Netball, which is a big deal over here and in many other Commonwealth countries, is similar to basketball – but a basketball game with all the fun taken out. It turns the game into a highly technical and rule-governed game of monkey in the middle. It was awful.
Lastly, I’ve gotten a taste of Australian Rules Football (a.k.a Footy). Footy, which is somewhat similar to rugby, is the national sport here in Australia. It is to the Aussies what NFL football is to us Americans. So far, I have signed up to play on a local team, watched an intermural game, and will attend a professional game this weekend.
It’s the best substitute us Notre Dame kids have for missing out on college football season.
Go Irish!
Maggie
It’s the best substitute us Notre Dame kids have for missing out on college football season.
Go Irish!
Maggie