I just watched a Qantas jet drift across clear blue morning skies and, depspite the fact that I have been making plans for 5 months, I suddenly feel entirely unprepared!
So here are some random thoughts to get YOU ready, in the hopes that will make ME feel ready.
WARDROBE
Weather is unpredictable - thin layers are your best friend. Days have been mild - mid 60's. The sun is bloody hot, even on cool days, but a chill settles in at dusk. Scarves work miracles in this city, and seem to be standard issue and certainly most fashionable. The footy game is at night and will require getting rugged up. Hats are good, especially on sunny walks. I recommend undershirt, long sleeve shirt, thin sweater, topped with a light jacket for ultimate versatility and responsiveness.
We have a pool/spa, and if you are the sort who feels obligated to swim in foreign seas, then don't forget to bring your swimmers and your heart medication, and possibly a shark suit.
Comfortable foot wear is essential as there will be a LOT of walking. I hope you have been practicing.
Bring at least one suave ensemble for a nice dinner or Thursday Night Pub Crawl.
ELECTRONICS
Australia is 220v with a different plug interface with a racially insensitive nick name. We have 1 plug adapter, but could probably use another - they can be bought at the airport for about $12. Most things with rechargeable batteries will run here - check the power supply to make sure it is 110-240v. (Lee, can you check Mom and Dad's stuff for them? They probably won't be able to read it...)
THE FLIGHT
Do you all have your ETA's??
It is a long hard flight. Wear loose comfortable clothes and avoid seams wherever possible. Going commando is advisable, unless you suffer from leaky sphincters. Carry as little with you as really necessary - but eye drops are a god send if you plan on watching 14 hours of in-flight entertainment. A full size pillow is a wonderful luxury on the plane, especially if you are particular about pillows. (Ours are pretty crap and we may not have enough either). I find that raising your arm rests during the flight creates more space and eliminates hard surfaces that cause bruising.
Reserving an aisle seat and a window seat will sometimes net you an empty middle seat, but since there are three of you travelling, one of you might get stuck in the middle. Aisle seats are great if you like to get up and down a lot - which is highly advisable. If you do get stuck in a middle seat, try to get one between two asian girls, as they don't take up as much space as Norwegian men, although they do tend to snore. There are often enitre empty rows towards the back of the plane, so be sure to flirt with the sky waitresses and scope out alternative seating arrangements as soon as the cabin doors are closed. Real estate is the biggest in-flight luxury and there is a mad scramble to claim empty spaces as soon as the seat belt light is switched off.
Exit rows may have more leg room, but the seats have serious disadvantages. They are usually in front of the galley or the toilet, so you get a lot of people milling around sticking their but in your face (and farting, if it is someone like Kevin). The ride is smoother towards the front of the plane, and the section over the wing is the strongest part of the aircraft. I like to sit just in front of the exit row over the wing, reasoning that if the plane rips in half on take off, I should be able to climb out fairly easily.
ARRIVAL
When you get off the plane, you will pass through immigration to the baggage claim area. Grab a free luggage cart then start crashing it into large sleepy families wandering in a cranky daze, because fifteen flights from 11 different countries all landed at the exact same time. Collect your luggage and get into the wrong line to enter customs. Hand your customs declaration form to the friendly unintelligible employee standing near the turnstiles, who may or may not mark it with a high lighter, but most certainly will direct you to another line.
Be sure to claim any food on your customs card. You may bring in 250 cigarettes, 2.25 L of alcohol (preferably Vodka, and maybe a bottle of Kahlua), and 2 large cans of tomatillos. Sorry, no carne asada or pickled eggs. Also, make sure your shoes are not dirty. And don't bring any heroin or Australian Flags.
I will try to be waiting for you after customs, but there are four different gates and no way for me to know which gate you will exit, and the exit area is mad-house cluster-fuck of screaming children, hugging travellers, and runaway luggage. If I am not standing right there, proceed directly out of the terminal through the nearest exit. In front of you will be a very large parking garage. At the corner of this garage is a cafe next to some benches and some sort of public art that Kevin said was meant to be boomerangs, but I couldn't see it. Meet me there for hugs and kisses.
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5 comments:
--Will my quilted leather jacket be too warm? I have a lovely elegant outfit with rhinestones I will bring and leave for my 2nd visit if you think it appropriate for the Derby. --She who is without astigmatisms should not cast the first stone about her parents vision.
--Have our ETAs, will buy another adaptor at the airport (we now fly out of LA)down pillows probably prohibited, will bring poly ones.
--What brand of vodka and tomatillos do you prefer we bring? I will not transport cigarettes. Personal prejudice in favor of drinking over cancer.
--Will cancel my standing hand to hand in the Haight for whack. I will cancel my appointment for my ass tattoo since it will not be allowed in under the flag rules.
--Even though some vocal chord muscles were lost (not really lost, I know where they went, i just do not have access to them)I am still a very loud shouter and you will be able to locate us at the gate.
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Can't say I know what the R rating on your quilted leather jacket is...I reckon it is much like February in San Jose - maybe a bit warmer at night.
I can barely read the labels on electronics, which is how I know YOU cannot possibly.
LAX? QANTAS is feeling the pinch, eh? Shuffling flights? Bummer. Try to get them to check your bags through...maybe you can fly out of San Jose then? Better yet, see if they will transfer you to Virgin - their toilets have better tunes...wait - strike that - on the LAX-SYD route, everytime I took a piss, Dolly Parton was singing 'Stairway to Heaven." Kevin claims that is to prevent people from having sex in the loo.
The cheapest vodka. And just one or two - we really have no need for 6 liters of alcohol in the house. They will last a long time. Any brand of Tomatillos. No cigarettes...he claims to be quitting after the two cartons we just brought back anyway. YAY.
No one at customs is going to look at your ass, so go ahead and get the tatoo...better yet, get it here, and cherish the memories forever.
I take it that you have family coming down under for holiday??? How cool!
You should publish your blog as a travel tips brochure, sans the meeting for hugs and kisses at the cafe!
Hope everyone has a safe trip and a great time!
Missing you guys!
I just found your blog and started reading. We are Americans, living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and now have a chance to move to Brisbane. Any comments? I just read through 2006 and the first part of 2007, but did notice you have your permanent residency. So I am assuming all is good in AU? Any help would be appreciated. I am exited, nervous, sad (we'd be leaving our 19 and 22 year old kids behind-one in Columbus, Ohio and one in Ontario-guess we're kind of spread out, anyways)
I should think 19 and 22 year old 'kids' would be delighted to have reason to visit Australia with free accomodations.
Asking me to comment on your pending move to Australia is a little wide open, don't ya think, considering I don't know you, your motivations, your hang-ups, or your aspirations...Perhaps you would like to ask me some specific questions or at least tell me a little about yourself, like why are you moving to Australia?
Granted, I reckon leaving Canada is reason enough!
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