"I'M STARTING TO LIKE BRISBANE"

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

Temperature: 28 Degrees Celsius

Track of the day: 'Land Down Under,' - Men at Work

"Okay, Singapore officially has the nicest airport we've ever been in," Alecs says as we check our e-mail at one of the many free internet kiosks located all over the three terminals. "Ooo, this pamphlet I picked up says there's a free movie theater upstairs in terminal two," I say excitedly, trying to map out how to get there. As we walk past several high end duty free shops, we eagerly point out the many activities available to transit passengers. Dozens of restaurants, cafes, a spa, sleeping room, mini hotel, rooftop swimming pool, gym, x-box game room, arcades and a movie theater are among them. "Check this out," Alecs says stopping at a series of small boxes each with a key and electronic application charger inside, "you can charge anything you want and just take the key, returning when it's fully charged." After admiring this sheer piece of genius we continue onto the theater but not before stopping for an iced coffee en route. We arrive midway through a movie, sneak in and settle down for the next two shows. As always, time flies by and within the hour we are in the air, heading to Brisbane, leaving Asia behind. "Well," Alecs sighs, "this is it, we're on our way to Australia, goodbye Asia." We catch up on a series of in flight movies for the seven hour trip to Australia's east coast and even manage a few hours of sleep. "Alecs look at that," I say, nudging him awake and pointing out the airplane window several hours later. "Wow that's beautiful," he says as we both gaze into the rising sun which has turned the horizon a sensational orange hue. "G'day mates," our pilot says over the speaker, making Alecs and I smile, "we'll be touching down in Brissie in 15 minutes, so please fasten your seat belts and ensure your luggage is stowed safely in the overhead storage bins or under the seat in front of you." Alecs leans over my shoulder to see our first glimpse of the coastal city that is to be our home for some time. The plane circles over the towering city centre skyscrapers, across the harbour and onto the tarmac. "Brisbane really is right next to the ocean," I say excitedly, pointing out the islands surrounding the city. We disembark the plane and follow the other Aussies through the terminal to immigration and anxiously await our turn. "Working holiday visa?" the immigration officer asks us, checking our arrival cards. "Yes," we reply in unison, keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly, "welcome to Australia." We apprehensively take back our passports and continue onto the luggage claim area. "That's it?" I whisper to Alecs incredulously, "no questions about why we're here or anything, just welcome to Australia?" Alecs smiles, "I guess so but I'm not complaining," he adds. Nodding my head we head to the tourist information to find transport to our hotel.  A friendly 'airport greeter' helps us arrange a coach bus to our motel and gives us come advise on 

finding an apartment. "So what's your first impression of Australia?" I ask Alecs after crashing on the bed and turning up the A/C. "It's a lot like Calgary," he says, opening the patio doors, "only warmer and there's palm trees." Before long we're both fast asleep without getting the chance to explore Aussie Land. 

"I think we've made a mistake," I say to Alecs as we sit on the train the next morning. Early this morning we met up with a young woman and her three-year old daughter who are renting out a room in their suburb townhouse some thirty minutes from the city. Feeling desperate to find a place to live we agreed to rent out the room which has a shared bathroom with the three-year old little girl. "You think so too?" Alecs asks as we prepare to get off the train, "I think we should contact her and let her know we're not interested anymore." We agree to continue our search for something with a better location and at least a private bathroom. Unfortunately today is Anzac Day, a national holiday and tomorrow is Sunday so we'll have to rely on the Internet until then.

"That apartment building we wanted to check-out opens in ten minutes," I say to Alecs as we sit under a palm tree at the motel on Monday afternoon, "should we go have a look?" Alecs nods his head and we set off towards the train station where the most perfectly situated apartment complex has a vacancy sign out front. "Hey there," Alecs says to the man at the office, "we were wondering if there are any vacancies at the moment?" The tall Aussie man behind the desk checks the books shaking his head and our hearts drop as this was the apartment we had our hearts set on. "Sorry mates, not until May first," he says. Alecs and I look at each other quickly calculating how many days are left in April - finally realizing there are only four. "We'll take it," Alecs says as he notices the line behind us getting longer, "we'll move in on May 01." Jerry, the man behind the desk takes our deposit and lets us know Internet, utilities, a TV with 12 cable

channels and A/C are all included in the reasonably priced rent. Alecs and I quite literally skip out of the building onto Brunswick Street, one of the main roads in our new community - Fortitude Valley. We continue onto the trendy part of  Brunswick Street, a vehicle-free cobblestone road that reminds us of Stephen Avenue. "How about a victory dinner at McDonalds," Alecs says noticing the golden arches. "Wow, we're really moving

 up in the world eh?" I say as we stand in the line awaiting our turn. Alecs orders a quarter pounder while I choose the chicken Ceasar wrap combo. "Would you like that chicken crispy or seared," the young clerk asks me. "Yes, its for take out," I reply reaching for some napkins and straws. The young boy looks at me dumbfounded and I quickly realize this was not the answer he was looking for. Alecs and I manage to laugh about this a few moments later and we have a good chat about how different

the Aussie language is despite technically being English. "I can't believe we found our own apartment in the most brilliant location and it only took us three days," Alecs says as we lie in bed that night, "I couldn't be happier."

Having decided to explore the downtown area of Brisbane this morning Alecs and I are now walking down the busy Queen Street Mall full of bustling outdoor restaurants, trendy shops and cafes and a swanky-looking theater. We catch a movie at The Regent, equipped with royal spiral staircases, crystal chandeliers and lush red carpet. After watching Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood we head back to Central Station, a historic old sandstone building with a large clock fashioned above 

giving it a wonderfully timeless look. A couple days later we are passing by the same train station searching for Story Bridge, a famous landmark here in Brissie that connects our community, Fortitude 

Valley to Kangaroo Point, just steps from the CBD (central business district aka downtown). "I see it, I see it," I say pointing to the river behind a few large buildings, "the bridge is just over there." We walk a few minutes more and find the massive cantilever bridge, spanning the Brisbane River and walk across to a beautifully manicured park below. We stop for a while to take in the stunning city skyscrapers on one side and the awe impressive Story Bridge on the other. "You know what would make this a perfect day," I say to Alecs as we soak in the midday heat at the sand bar along the river. "Fish and Chips," Alecs asks, as though reading my mind.  We head back to a small cafe with tons of character and in an 

attempt to save money we decide to split an order. "One fish and c

hip burger," Alecs says taking a seat by the window which looks out on the bridge. A few minutes later our meal arrives, a burger with battered fish, lettuce, tomatoes, sauce and yes - french fries inside the burger. "Oh my god," Alecs says after taking his first bite, "this is so good," he says taking several more bites in quick succession. After our delicious lunch we decide to spend the rest of the day exploring the city yet again. 

"We're moving in today," Alecs says excitedly at the ridiculously early hour of 8AM, "let's pack and move." We make a smooth transition into our small but quaint apartment and can't help but smile as we make the bed with our new sheets and stock the cupboards and fridge. The new place is a two and a half minute walk to the

train station (yes we timed it), is in the heart of China Town, a fifteen minute walk into the city or 1 train stop and a four minute walk to a Filipinio Grocery store (which is of course crucial). 'This is perfect," Alecs says as we walk to the city to pick up a few more things from the superstore Target, "and the best thing is we have it all to ourselves." It does feel much more liberating to know that we have our own space with our own bathroom, especially due to its location. Walking down Ann Street towards downtown we pass the most magnificent cathedral, looking more like a European castle than a church and only a few steps further is a circular pillared structure overlooking another view of the city. "I'm really starting to like Brisbane," I say to Alecs as we head into Target. We purchase a pot. frying pan and two white square iron-chef-like plates that make me quite happy. "I'm so excited to cook in our own kitchen," I say to Alecs on our way back to the apartment, "and unpack." Alecs stocks the fridge and sets up the electronics while I wash down every square inch of the entire apartment, from the ceiling to the underside of the bed frame. Once I finish with that I spray antibacterial cleaner on everything before sealing every inch of space with cockroach killer. "Just being on the safe side," I say to Alecs who looks slightly amused by my antics, "you never know how dirty the last residents might have been." I then proceed to arrange our clothes by item and colour in the closet before tackling the cupboards. "I am most excited about the cupboards," I say to Alecs, who has finished setting up the Wii and computers on the desk. Alecs comes over to see the cupboards where he finds all the boxed or packaged items decanted into clearly labeled containers while the remaining items are arranged by size. "You're such a dork," he says, barely noticing the perfection of it all. I quickly whip up some tacos, potatoes and broccoli for dinner arranging them on our new plates - which make everything look delicious. "I love these plates," I say to Alecs admiring the arrangement of the food. "I love the food," Alecs says with his mouth full, "we should have hot chocolate later. Before we get ready for bed Alecs brews some minty hot chocolates, topped with whip-cream and cinnamon before we pack it in for the night, happy to be in our own place.

Until Next time so long,

Alecs and Meg in Brisbane