brisbane v1.0

the trip to brizzy was a little rough. we took a bus to narang train station and then took a train north. unfortunately, in true queensland style, the track was under construction so we had to get off the train and use a bus for the section that was being worked on. then it was back on the train further down the line and into the cbd of brizzy, whereby we found out that we had come too far on the line and missed our stop. back on the train and then on foot where a lady gave us directions - in the wrong way. walking- lost, took a cab - got lost. finally checked in late, frustrated and tired. note: cabbies in brisbane rely on gps to ferry people around town. the problem with this system is that they never really have to learn the city. they become reliant on the computer. we have had a few bad drivers here. it is the same reason i can't do long divison anymore. i rely on my calculator.

note on brisbane: with 1.5 millon people brizzy is australia's 3rd largest city. founded in 1824 from the difficult prisoners from nsw, the city is large but quiet. it is almost like it doesn't even try to compete in the melbourne vs. syndey race. maybe it is just because of the long weekend but the city seems so empty.

we spent our first day here almost entirely planning the rest of our time in australia. we booked our return flight from nz, and booked our frazer island tours and whitsundays ships. then we snagged some groceries and goon, and got tickets for the rugby game between the queensland reds (brizzy) and the sharks (south africa). before the game i chated up members of the red army - brizzy's insane and often painted fans. they made lyds and i honourary members of the army, and gave us free hats. we sat with them in their section and tried to cheer, but the atmosphere was a little dissappointing. the reds, losers of their last 7, fell again 56-16. the red army guys teased me for knowing i was a canadian from my hockey-isms. the beer helped the loss.

go reds.