10 Features of Crazy Australian

This is a first list with ten notes about Australian lifestyle from the Spanish view of a potential conqueror. I'm quite sure I will write a second list as soon as it is possible. It's well-known how alcohol lovers are Australian and generally speaking it's said they are crazy but this statement is hardly ever backed by clear reasons. I would like to shed light on this issue, my own light tough.

One of the statues in George Square which
reminds the cooperation between Australian
and New Zealanders during II World War.

1 G'day [mate]. You can leave this country whenever but if you come here it's compulsory to know the meaning of this word, not only commonly heard in the streets but also in the workplaces. It's the Australian manner to say hello, independently on the hour. Train how to pronounce G'day or G'day mate if you don't want to get upset each time you hear this expression.

2 Sporting life. Thousand people run, walk quickly and cycle every morning, afternoon and evening, from home to workplace and vice versa and at any time. That's the visible and healthy side of the Australian. The other side reveals they hold a high rate at overweight and obesity.

3 Memories of Fallen Soldiers. Consequences of II World War had a big impact on Australian's lives as this country participated in it with the ally block. Brisbane is crowded with statues, squares and inscriptions which remind fallen soldiers and show the popular concern about a war that keeps in the memory. ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Day commemorates fallen soldiers in conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations in Australia and New Zealand each 25^th April.

Mates walking barefoot in Main Street.

4 Walking barefoot. Don't get shocked when you start seeing people walking around barefoot in the street. Many of them like to be in direct touch with the ground, so keep calm.

5 Charities. There is a general concern in the Australian mind about helping people less fortunate. That's the case of homelessnesses, people affected by natural disasters (typhoons, tornadoes, floods), disabled persons, war amputees... Aboriginal people tend to ask for money with unequal luck because of their alcoholic addiction which make them keep out of the society.

The proceeds of this car park are destined to charities.

6 Lemon&Lime Bitter, Vegemite, Pavlova, XXXX. They are Australian products you should try if you come here. First it's a combined drink of lime cordial, angostura, soda and a slice of lemon. Second is a dark pastry based on yeast which is spreaded on the bread. Pavlova is a typical Australian cake made of meringue and covered by fruits such as strawberries, although its name is in honour of a Russian ballet dancer. Australia and Russia are in dispute about origin of the recipe. The most popular beer is XXXX but the prices of the spirits and beers are almost prohibitive. Spirits are bought in shops specialised in its trading because supermarkets are not allowed to sell them in Queensland State. It's a cool experience to come into the cold-store chamber of the shop to pick up your favorite drinks. BWS (Bottles Wine and Spirits) and Cellarbrations are the most popular shops.

7 Bet's World. They are mad at watching sports and what goes around it. I mean drinks but, over all, gambles. Probably it explains the success of Horses Races. Sports such as Rugby, cricket and soccer are as well very popular. Casinos and Betting shops are in abundance in the city. 

8 Sumptuous Lifestyle. Cars, boats and luxurious houses are shown with relative tranquillity in one of the most safe cities.

9 Fights in clubs. The high rate of alcoholic drinks consumption is followed by aggressive attitudes in clubs, where I have seen violence scenes that dis-encourage me to hang out frequently. They aren't the biggest beer drinkers regarding a list of 2010 I have met by chance on Wikipedia, but they hold eight place, which is not bad.

10 Mad drivers. All the fury of a driver is expressed when they leave out the car and start shouting inappropriate words. It can happen if they get stuck on the road because many of them get desperated easily. Australian people who are got on their nerves can look like dangerous apparently but their behaviour is basically an spectacle that last a couple of minutes in the animal kingdom. 

Eaten and Drunk in Australia

I didn't plan to write a post tonight but I drank a glass of milk with ‘Akta Vite’ (see can in the center of the picture) and now I feel full of energy to make a good start referring to australian food, or rather, genuine products which are eaten and drunk in Australia.

When I arrived at Brisbane I decided to try kangaroo burgers because I thought they were a very popular meat. I liked it even though the flavour of australian meat is stronger than spanish meat (except chicken) but a bit later I realised kangaroo meat isn't eaten by many australian people. Probably because, similar to koala, is an australian symbolic animal. Nonetheless, every year many of them are sacrificied to control the population and at same time their meat is sold for human consumption. Personally I prefer kangaroo meat to beef but first and foremost chicken takes first place.

‘Akta Vite’ is a nutritional chocolate drink which has been made since 1943. It's recommended for expectant and nursing mothers but I didn't know it before buying it. Anyway it contains 8 essential vitamins and minerals. I bought it because I want to keep strong and healthy in this country. And I love cocoa, maybe it will be the understudy of morning coffee.

On the contrary, I bought Vegemite because it was the first Australian product I heard an Australian name. I hate that flavour and honestly I used this yeast extract as if it was butter. At least it's rich in Vitamin B and folate.

The second week I spent in Brisbane I tasted Ginger Beer Cordial. I realized on the first gulp that I didn't like it. After that I started drinking a glass of ginger everyday and now I love citric flavour. You need to know it's a cordial, that is to say, you should mix one part of it with four parts of soda or water unless your throat is prepared for its sweet and strong flavour.

More popular than Ginger Beer i think it´s Lemon Lime and Bitters Cordial. I haven´t tasted it still but I hope to drink it soon (right side in the picture).