It Was Twenty Years Ago Today

No, Sergeant Pepper wasn’t there. But I was. I arrived a day late due to weather delays ~ probably originating from LGA. Don’t all delays originate from LGA? In my world, they do.

On the plane, I sat near a kid named Stephen that warned me not to call it ketchup and was mortified going through Customs when I realized that “huh…yeah…un-popped popcorn IS a grain…and no, it can’t enter the country.” That wasn’t the mortifying part – that was when I had the pleasure of watching a very cute Aussie have to shake out my underwear in front of everyone because a bag had broke open. Fun times. Welcome to Oz! Thank God the underwear was clean!

My Aussie Mum, Nana, and very quiet sister picked me up. I still have the Koala thermometer & the Koala stuffed animal that they gave me. I remember thinking to myself that the wheel was on the other side and of course I was so excited and tired that I gravitated to that door ~ almost to prove to myself that the wheel would be there (Difference #1).

They knew they were in for it when I talked incessantly. I was excited, what can I say?! As we were driving, I remember how crisp the lines were and how I could smell the salt water in the air. I was so over tired but I WAS IN AUSTRALIA!

We got home and I settled in and took a nap. Once I woke, I was asked if I was hungry. Mum said she had some hot dogs. For the record, Aussie Hot Dogs…not a fan. They have thick red casings on them, yick! Difference #2. But, I ate it. I refused to be the ugly American. They butter their buns too. Difference #3.

I ate the hot dog like food product while sitting by our salt water pool. I am going to like this place!! (Salt water pool – Difference #4). While I ate, it was explained that we needed to scan the pool for creepy crawlies. As many know, Oz is chock-full of poisonous critters. Some can live in water – Difference #5.

My sister’s friends came over and we played some Australian Trivia game ~ I lost. Go figure. One of the friends that came to welcome me tried to cheat. He tried to see if I’d let him get away with it. I didn’t, but I called him on it in a polite and fun way. We were instant friends.

I’d have to look, but I believe it was that night (or the next) that we went to the movies. I do not recommend going to the movies right after you travel for 2, almost 3 days straight on such an emotional high. Especially if that movie is “She-Devil” starring Rosanne Barr. Yes, I am serious.

Before we left, my sister kept talking about going to Maccas. I was so excited to try this magical place. We get ready to go to the movie and we pull up to…McDonalds. Yes. Maccas is the lovely nickname (Aussies love nicknames!) for McDonalds. I’ll call the McDonalds/Maccas Difference #6 solely based on the nick-name diversion– but no matter the continent, it’s still the same…

I order my meal and, remembering my training from 12 year-old Stephen, ask for Tomato Sauce. The guy behind the counter, looking very proud of himself boldly says “Don’t you mean Ketchup!?” I swear, to this day, there was a sparkle that gleaned off his tooth and a little “ting” noise that accompanied it a-la-Lyle Waggoner in Wonder Woman. (couldn’t find the pic I was looking for, but this one made me laugh).

As we finished our fabulous meal at McDonalds, I offered everyone a piece of chewy (another lesson learned from Stephen gum=chewy Difference #7) to my new found friends. It was Big Red. Apparently, cinnamon wasn’t popular nor readily available down there (Difference #8). My friend starts chanting “BIG RED!” Seems he was a fan. Yet another thing for us to bond over.

My memories of my time in Oz is still quite crisp. I just recently spoke to a friend that I met on day one. I hadn’t spoke to him since I visited in 1993. I frightened him with the detail of my recall. I had to explain to him that I typically have a good recall, but when it comes to Oz, it is more so. It doesn’t hurt that I kept a journal & documented everything and kept a scrapbook of everything and took photos of everything. I was blessed with the opportunity to go but even more so with the family and friends I made. It truly was the Best Thing and this was just day one.