No wuckin forries, Mate.

G'DAY! I love this country. When I left the airport at gold coast, I returned my luggage cart to the cart dispenser, and out popped a 20 cent coin. THEY paid ME to use their services! Ahhh, Australia. It was an absolutely incredible summer day yesterday on the gold coast, sunny, hot, fun waves. and you wouldn't realize, that just up the coast a ways, people are stranded in flood waters, homes are being destroyed, lives are being lost. The attitude in Coolangatta would never make you suspect that there is a crisis going on up north- everyone here is on holiday. It's been quite a pleasure jumping into the ocean of 80+ degree, crystal clear water, after being in raglan for a month where it's still wetsuit season. But along with the warm, clear water also comes the sharks and blue bottles, a horrible stinging jellyfish. So I suppose there are pros and cons of both. Went surfing at Greenmouth today, then drifted down to rainbow bay, where in the process, got toppled over the falls, hit the ground, sliced my leg on my fin and now have a nast little scar that I can braggidly (is that a word) claim, "yep, I got this one down at Kirra. hectic" Apparently, the swell that hit when I arrived from New Zealand was the best swell this place has seen in the past 10 years. And it is also the first stop on the Quicksilver/Roxy pro tour, so pros are slowly trickling into town. Mick Fannings mum owns the smoothie shop I ate at today. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!

But- it is a bit weird being here without all of my mates from coogee. When I was there, I felt like an Aussie. Here, I feel like just another American "seppo" tourist. But what I still love about this country is that no matter where you are, everyone is always interested in hearing where you're from. And they always as, "How do you like Australia?", because they're really proud to call this place home. And shit, I would be too. I also love how even at 5 in the morning, you would think it was noon because so many people are outside being active. Also playing with their children. It's so fun to watch all of the little "grommits" (small children) out in the water with their tiny little shortboards with their dads pushing them into waves. The Aussie culture is so intertwined with the water and the ocean; instead of playing video games, these kids are out surfing or playing Rugby. Maybe that's why they are so happy.

I feel like I have changed. In a very good way.