We Are the Camels!

Hello, hello everyone! It's been a while since I posted. So sorry! I just got finished with orientation week (or "O-week" as it's officially called) for my hall. But to make up for it, I'm going to do two posts...one now on O-week, one on my fabulous trip to Melbourne Sanctuary :)

Before I begin, I've been reading Travel Writing: A Guide to Research, Writing, and Selling by L. Peat O'Neil. After reading the first chapter, "Getting Started," I've determined that this is a personal experience blog. I've noticed fellow bloggers, Loyola and beyond, have a specific style and voice, specific subjects and everything, so it was nice to finally put a label on mine, I guess.

Anywho, back to O-Week. It was held throughout the residential halls for first-years to "uni" (one of several slang terms that Aussieland has) as well as those who are new to each specific hall. I am on the best floor of the best building of all of the residential halls: Floor 3 of Howitt Hall (Yes, our dorm has our own website. We're just that cool.) Every hall has its own mascot and we are the Camels (hence the title of this post). The past week was filled with different events, outings, and memories that will honestly last a lifetime!

Queen Victoria Night Market!!!

Last night, I had the opportunity to head down to the Queen Victoria Night Market with other international students. During the summer months in Melbourne, the area holds several night markets where there's food from different cultures, plenty of music, and lots of little booths to buy souvenirs!

So in a huge group of students, we took the bus, then a train, then a tram (trolley) down to Queen Victoria Market in the City (basically downtown Melbourne with lots of shops and restaurants). It was raining, but we pressed on. So many people were there!!! It's obviously a very big event in Melbourne!

OFFICIALLY IN MELBOURNE!!!

22 hours of flight. Multiple security checks. Customs. After all this, my group and I have finally made it to Monash University in Melbourne, Australia!!!!! struggled to carry my bags to my new dorm (even when I tried my best to pack light, I still failed), but I made it. My group and I arrived on Valentine's Day, Aussie time.

Definitely noticeable differences. First off, the weather here is AMAZING. It's really hot, but I love it better than the cold weather back home in PG County, Maryland! The people are really friendly. They are quick to approach you, introduce themselves, and make conversation. Something that I think is seriously slacking in the States. We seem to be so busy, going about our own business, that we aren't as friendly to others. Not every American is like that, but a good amount are to me. Melbourne isn't like that at all.

LEAVING!!!!

TODAY is the day! After what seems like FOREVER! The longest winter break of my entire life is over, which means I'M HEADED TO MELBOURNE!!!! Riding up with the family to NY to fly out of JFK soon, and then will head to LA (switch flights), then New Zealand, then finally the land down under!!! I'm excited, and a little nervous all at the same time, but I know that it's going to be an amazing adventure! And honestly, after two months of being at home, I'm ready to get back to school and do something with my life! And of course, I'm ready to just soak in everything that Australia has to offer. The beautiful landmarks, culture, people, and food (though I SWEAR I'm staying away from kangaroo meat!). Plus, a little side note, Chris Brown will be in the place in April (ahhh PERFECT timing), so I have that to look forward to as well. Springing VIP??? Maybe haha :-) Next time I blog, I'll be in MELBOURNE!!! Wish me well!

PEACE.