Edmonton may have riots, but Sydney has football.

I awoke at 5 a.m. this morning to screaming.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" and "NOOOO!!!!" and finally, the always classic, "GET IT IN THERE!"

I sprung up in bed, terrified, trying to get my bearings. After remembering what hemisphere I was in, I gathered my wits enough to think to myself, "We're being broken into!"

But then I heard another yell. "C'mon mate, you can do it!"

Suddenly, it all became clear; Chloe's roomate had woken up at 4 a.m. to make sure he didn't miss a moment of the Croatia vs. Australia football game. Awesome.



I've refrained from doing any particularly touristy activities thus far, and instead spent the day picking up some last minute items with fellow group members from YCI. Everyone so far is incrediably friendly and we've all bonded over our common hatred of our requisite calf-length skirts, and our desire to try Kava, a beer-like beverage brewed in Vanuatu.

Sydney is a beautiful city, but it's also an every-city. I could be in any city in the world right now. The only difference is I keep almost getting plowed over by cars (thanks for the advice to look right instead of left before crossing, Ryan), and keep squealing in delight every time I see the monorail go by.

A special note to Chloe Fedio and David Berry: This morning, when I was making my toast, I opened Australian Chloe's cupboard door to reveal a jar of thick, black paste. It was Veggemite! I reached eagerly for the jar, humming the Veggemite jingle in my head, ready to taste its wonderous contents. I figured that since I'm Vegetarian now, it was only appropriate that I should learn to love the stuff. In addition, I'm also an International Interesting person, and open to all new experiences.

That is, until I unscrewed the lid to have my nostrils inflitrated by the most vile smell to ever overwhelm my olfactory senses.

I had peanut butter instead.

A note to my mom: Thanks for letting me know that I'm in a different time zone. This is pertinent information that I'm glad you brought to my attention. Mind-bloggling, indeed!

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You can check out a fellow YCI challenger, Jo's site at I Think Therefore I Travel.