Townsville City Experience!

So today I went into the city to get some fabric for Toga night. During o'week (orientation week) they have a night where everyone dresses up in Togas and goes out and what not. So my friends and I got our fabric we throught we would try to find The Strand, which is a beach front in the city. After walking around trying to find a bus we found one that went down there. It was beautiful! We walked along the beach for about 30 mintues, taking our time to look at sea shells that have washed up. There were TONS of them, everywhere! :) I now have a little collection in my room. Once we were done, we thought to head back home. We couldnt find a bus stop to get us back so we spend about an hour wandering outside in the heat, trying to figure out where a bus stop would be. We found a few but they didnt have times on them or anything so we wondered if a bus would even stop at that. So we just ended up going to the stop that the bus orginally dropped us off at and took a long ride through the city. As long as I was on the bus, that is all I really cared about. We ended up spending about 8 hours getting our stuff for our Togas and visiting The Strand. It was all worth it though! :) Here is a little list of some interesting things I have noticed in Australia:
1. Toilets have two buttons that you can push, its kinda interesting.
2. Water does not flush backwards in their toilets.... its a myth.
3. Their cross walks make noise to let you know when you can cross! Kind of helpful when you space out
waiting for your turn to go.
4. Not only do people drive on the opposite side of the street but they have their escalators on opposite sides as
well....
5. There is a lot of Aussie slang and they like to shorten up names by ending a word with 'ie'
Some cool slang.... Togs = swimsuits, stingers = wetsuit type thing to wear so you dont get stung by jellyfish
Freshers= those spending their first year at the University, Fossils=those who have been
at the Uni for more than a year, Brekkie =breakfast, sunnies = sunglasses.
6. The bus system is not as good as back in the US. They are known to not come on time and just do not seem a
as efficient as it is here.
Right now I am living in a residence hall that has 3 other students - two guys and a girl. We all share a common area that consists of a bathroom, shower, livingroom and fridge. Its a very nice place and I love living here! :) One of my roommates is already here and has been since I moved in. He is very nice.
Well, I am going to head out! Hope everyone is doing well and keep me posted with your happenings! Take much care and hope to hear from you soon!! :)
Bobbi