Brisbane Day 1

After the 4 hour flight to LA and 5 hour layover, we boarded for the 14 jaunt over the Pacific to our destination. We arrived in Brisbane at 6AM and slowly crept off the plane and into customs. The girl in front of me left her purse on the counter accidentally and that is considered a security breach so they shut down things for a few minutes. Another funny airport story. Apparently my mom and I are really good packers, we were able to get 58 pounds of stuff into my bag, but Delta only leets you have 50, so I had to repack my whole bag in the ATL airport. Nice!!

The exchange rate is strong. $1.30 for every US $1.oo, that's good. We'll have the chance to explore and shop more after our classes end during the day. We had an orientation session, but the real welcomes come tommorrow. I've loved talking to the natives, and apparently they love the Southern accent :-) It's amazing the random questions that they will ask just to keep you talking (not that I am innocent of that charge for visitors to the US ;-)!!)

I am rooming with two girls that I've never met before which is great, I'll have the opportunity to get close with some more people on this trip! We did a scavenger hunt around Brisbane today and it was fun to see all sides of the city. There is an outdoor mall area that is really neat with cool little botique stores lining the cobblestone walkway. Everything here is so clean, I really like the city. The wildlife in their parks is unbelieveable, some of the prettiest birds I've ever seen and we aren't even in the jungle or anything. I know it's winter, but weather is wonderful (tank top and skirt!!) Alot like Athens! I miss you all and hope that everything is just wonderful. I'll be using the internet cafe alot to keep you posted!!