What I've Learned After Six (Correction Eight) Months as an Expat in Oz

I had every intention of writing a blog about living in Oz after our first six months here, well that didn't happen, so here we are at eight months in. Has life changed from living in the U.S.? Absolutely. Has it changed drastically? No, I don't think so. Moving to Switzerland was culture shock. Moving to Australia has, well, basically been like moving to a part of California that broke off and drifted really far away from the continental states and everyone talks with just a little different accent, some funny slang and they drive their cars on the other side of the road (might I even say "wrong" side of the road).

Ok, well maybe it's a little more different than that... But really, many days the biggest changes I feel we have experienced are the same ones we would have experienced by just moving to another city in the states. We've had to navigate around a big new city, make new friends, find new places to shop, eat, doctors and the list could go on and on. And along the way of doing these, there are plenty of things we have learned about living in the land down under. Some of which are good, some not so good, a few things leave us frustrated and craving America, some make us thankful to be here and some just leave us puzzled.

I covered some of my initial findings one month in to this adventure in this previous entry. Here's a look at some more of what it means to experience life as an American expat in Australia. Many of these are more humorous than serious and only a few leave me a little perturbed on a bad day. I think most fellow American expats can probably relate and get a good chuckle.

• This is the land of FOODIES, just be prepared, what they call "bacon" is not the same. I am surprised my husband didn't turn right back around for America after this realization. Almost everything else is a home run - so many Asian options, seafood and the national brunch staple - avocado is rarely missing from a menu. Food is fresher and better usually, but you'll pay for it too. Oh and they have semi-good Mexican restaurants too, which speaks volumes in comparison to all of Europe.

Brunch is by far the best meal of the day here.

No donuts at the nearby cafe, no worry, cronuts to the rescue!

• Everything is BACKWARDS in their cars and on the roads here! I can't tell you how many times I've started to open the front passenger door to get in and drive the car, or I've watched a car drive by and am horrified when I see what I think is the driver sitting with both feet on the dash staring at their phone. And I don't want to admit it, but I still have to focus extra hard to make sure I don't miss any important road signs! I am always looking the wrong direction for any stop signs!
• To my knowledge there is no such thing as UNLIMITED calling, text or data here. Be ready for 2010 here, you may actually go over your monthly limit on your plan. 
• Coffee ADDICTS are made here, starting with a babycino. Just don't get caught in Starbucks - that's only where the tourists and Americans go as it's "terrible" coffee. But in their defense, it actually does taste different than the Starbucks in the states. I actually wouldn't be surprised to see them go out of business during my time here. And by the way, just be prepared, "regular coffee" doesn't really exist here either. 

Don't worry - no real caffeine in this cup. Neither her nor I could handle that being the case...

• TARGET is KMART and Kmart is Target. So just take your American stereotypes of each store and switch them before you go shopping.
• Alcohol is really EXPENSIVE, mostly due to extremely high import taxes. And while there are many beautiful wine regions here, my apologies, but Australian wine has not impressed us thus far.
• There is more DIVERSITY here than I could have ever imagined. It seems that everyone else in the rest of the world thinks living on the fringe of the earth is the place to be as well. And don't worry, there's plenty of room for all of them. Oh wait, not. This country is massive, but pretty much everyone has decided to live in the same six or seven cities. 
• For goodness sake, can everyone just wear SHOES!? You won't find many signs here that say anything about "No shirt, no shoes, no service." But seriously, I have a preschooler and I so badly just want her to keep her shoes on while we're out running errands, but it's really hard when she sees people walking around without shoes on.

For some reason when the shoes come off it means her whole body gets dirty. Not sure if she was playing at the park or cleaning the chimney... I figure if I can get her to keep her shoes on most other places then they have to come off at the park!

• Rent and car payments are stated per WEEK. Yes, per week. I think every expat has that moment of wide eyed revelation when they start their house hunt and realize they're going to have to increase their budget...  Funny thing is you get paid on a monthly basis. Two very important factors to get straight when you start your budgeting here.
• I've been told PAY AT THE PUMP gas stations exist, I have yet to find one. Let's just say, its really not cool to have to get two kids out of the car to pay for gas. 
• And please don't get me started on the Australian Post and delivery system. The whole concept of internet shopping is lost on the DELIVERY (or lack there of) system here. At least our stroller gets double duty work done in transporting all the boxes back home from the post office after the delivery man simply drops the pick-up slip in our mailbox rather than doing the unthinkable thing of actually buzzing our unit to see if we are home!

Emma often insists on carrying the box!

• Australians don't just say "NO WORRIES," they mean it. There's not much that will really bother them and often well, things just aren't taken all that seriously. What's that you say? You only have a 15 minute window to "inspect" a potential apartment along with 10 other people and the agent is 5 minutes late and needs to leave 5 minutes early. Well, that's just what happens. Oh and you said you made a dinner reservation yesterday? Hmmmmm... how many people was that for again?
• Australia makes it easier for PARENTS to get back out into society. Parking for parents with prams? I'll take it. Usually closer to the door and above average in size (except for the spot reserved at our local grocery store which is actually one of the furthest away spots), it's the simple things when you're trying to get out with two young kids. Oh and the parent rooms at the mall and other places are simply amazing!

• When it gets below 70, it's time to wear your UGGS and down jackets.
• No, you will not be asked to show ID at any point in the airport here when flying domestically. I had to ask Steve repeatedly the first time he got back from taking a domestic flight for work here, but he was in fact telling me the truth. They seriously, don't want to see it.
• Shrimp on the BARBIE doesn't really exist. They're called prawns and most of the time they come with their eyes still on. And Emma will talk to them at the store and make sure they're still not alive.

But do you know what one of my favorite differences is here? This sunrise... it's incredible.