I've heard quite a few people complaining about buses since I've been here, and I don't really understand that. I'm developing quite a liking for riding the bus, and that includes the 9 hour trip from Port Macquarie to Brisbane. I like being able to look out the window at everything that I'm passing, and I like the simplicity of the bus. You just show up, throw your bag in the storage underneath the bus, get on, and then it departs. the whole boarding process takes less then 10 minutes. with flying, you have to get to the airport, be there at least an hour before your flight leaves, check your bags, check in (all of which involve long lines), wait to board the plane...by the time you've done all that, you would've been halfway to your destination if you were on the bus.

Public transport here is pretty good as well. the buses run frequently, and they are clean, with cushioned seating, not like the graffitied MUNI or the terminally slow east bay buses. they're a bit more expensive though, but they run frequently and on time. I can't believe I'm actually turning in to a public transport advocate, at least enough of one to write a whole journal entry on it!

the sky is really blue here, some sort of south pacific blue that would look fake if it didn't look so close and so real. the clouds have that sort of two-dimensionalness to them, they way they do in the opening sequence of the simpsons episodes. even though queensland is tropical and green, you get a sense of australia's vast outback just by examining the sky.

maybe the lack of an ozone layer in australia has something to do with the way the sky looks. you can see it in the early morning light too, when everything has a golden glow. it really is a beautiful place, and it's not because of it's exotic appeal. sure, there are plenty of trees and flowers and birds that I don't recognize, but they all fit into their own scenery. I don't think that my photos will do justice to the natural gloriousness of this country. But it won't be for lack of trying. I've been here just over two weeks, and have already used 3 rolls of film. I'm just camera happy I guess.

pop culture here seems to be about 6 months behind the U.S. in every respect except for the music. they play the same pop groups here that they do on alice radio. the reason I mention it is that a backstreet boys song just came on the radio in the net cafe where I am, and I can't justify paying money to listen to them, so I must sign off now!

birthday wishes to danelle, if you're reading! hope your party at 1220 was a blast. I'll be sure to make it to next year's party! and hello to everybody else. I miss you!