I'm living in Coogee!

Last night we ended up going to the beach REAL late. We left around 10 p.m., so by the time we got to the natural rock pool and actually getting in, it was SO COLD! But so beautiful to swim by moonlight. I forget how good salt water feels.

Before I caught the bus, I needed to use the restroom, so I walked up towards the building with all the beach facilities. There were people gathered around, all of them had darker skin and were wearing black or red. They had been there the past few nights, and although Sydney is really safe it was kind of scary to approach them. They pointed me to the bathroom, and when I came out one of them said "God bless you". Startled I replied, "you too" and they were smiling and very nice. I still had no idea who these people were or why they were up so late (not even on the beach, in a parking lot next to the beach), so I asked two of the girls what was going on. She said that her brother had been lost at sea, and they came up there every night for the last two weeks in rememberance. I asked their religion and they said something I didn't understand, but the second girl said Christian. Then they told me they were from the islands (don't know which ones?) and this is what they did after a death. I was very touched by what they were doing. There was more than just one family there - it had to be at least 40 people gathering every night to talk and spend time. I'm not sure if it was the entire tribe or just a large extended family.

In the monastery this morning I ate breakfast with Alex, a surf dude that goes to UNC. It is funny hanging out with so many Americans in a foreign country. Then I went on a light jog in Coogee (a section of Sydney) to the beach. I'm currently staying 5 minutes west of campus, and the beach is around 2 miles east. I explored around the town a little bit and found some good food places and markets. There is a restaurant called 5-0's right next to the beach that serves $5 steak. We plan on going there quite a bit.

This afternoon I went to pay for my housing, and found that they have ANOTHER vacancy in Coogee. I went over with some Aussies and saw the place. It's a 2 minute walk to the beach!! It's also real close to a bus stop and all the markets. It's only 2 bedrooms shared by 4 girls, a living room and a kitchen. I decided to take it for a little more money, and I'm really excited.

After finishing all the paperwork I met fellow exchange students at a tea. It's nice to meet people in a same situation I am. Everyone is pretty confused and lost about their new lives. Some students had great stories on how they got here, where else they've been, etc. One girl from the Netherlands travelled around South America by herself for 8 months, and now she's here. She said she plans on going to Asia for 2 months by herself after school ends - so brave! I got a few phone numbers, and Heather and I plan on inviting them out with us. At the tea they served really good "native" biscuits. My favorite is Tim Tams - they are chocolate covered chocolate wafers with chocolate in the middle. Yum.. They also served meat pies that were DELICIOUS. If anyone lives in Austin, they should go to Boomerang (near Mangia off Guadalupe) and try some for something different.

Tonight we're going to K-Mart and looking for random house things. Not sure after that, but if it's any good I'll write about it!