I had been waiting to make a post like this to see if the sentiment lasted, and it has. Since my first few days in Australia, one of my favorite pastimes has been conversing with the people from around the globe. Being in the study abroad environment has presented a great opportunity to increase my level of conversing with persons of the world. Every day is another chance to try and learn a new way to say “cheers” in a foreign language.
The group of guys I hang out with, road dogs if you will, consists of one Mexican, one Norwegian, and one Sri Lankan. We spend hours trying to teach each other hilarious expressions in our foreign tongue. And hours later I forget nearly every one. However, my one claim to language fame is my uncanny ability to sound Norwegian.
Toga Night
So, hva skjer a my Norwegian friends?
That means “what’s up?” and is pronounced va share da. At a Norwegian party last week I was oft-confused to be Norwegian, simply by roaming around asking “hva skjer a?” That is entertaining. That is rich.
Chitchatting, chewing the fat, yukking it up with the people, that’s what it’s all about. It may be the only real thing left on this crazy earth of ours. The Internet isn’t real, this blog isn’t real, but sitting on the tram talking with my fellow brothers from other mothers is. I hope I haven’t blown you mind.
Chatting on the Tram
I originally thought when I came here I was going to be hanging around aussies all the time, kicking the footy and whatnot. While I have met a good deal of locals, I have noticed that the study abroad atmosphere puts you in contact with more than just the natives. At first, I was naive and brash. I believed that I came here with a sole purpose to meet Australians. My mind has grown and expanded, my eyes have opened. Instead of being focused on meeting Australians and Australians alone, I have become interested in meeting everyone from anywhere. I have learned about what’s going on in Mexico. I have eaten authentic Sri Lankan food, and loved it! I have asked French people if they speak French in French. And yes, I have still kicked the footy.
Man that was a riot- “parlez-vous francais?”…. “yea no shit”
She was so rude!