Taking on the Fringe

The past 2 weeks I've been able to see a few Fringe shows.  There are half price tickets available for certain shows that day so I was able to score cheap entry to both on my days off from work.

The first I saw was a play called Shadow People.  A psychological horror, the play followed different groups of people whose stories intertwined throughout the show.  The basic premise was people would see a "shadow person" in their peripherals and the shadow would start to make the person go crazy before eventually taking them.  Those not afflicted were convinced the "crazy" people are suffering from PTSD as there is a war going on and some of those affected are soldiers.

The show was entertaining but portraying horror in live theater is not the easiest thing to do. When someone would see a shadow person, an actor covered in black would come onto the stage but some of the creepiness was taken away by being able to see the person walk out. They should have used the fog machine a bit more to hide the entrances but other than that, the play was good.

This week I went and saw The History of the World from Now.  The show followed 5 people who survived an unknown apocalypse where 99% of the world's population vanished.  The "play looks at humanity’s rapidly developing relationship with technology and asks how we would cope if all our accessories were suddenly lost." 

There was a fair amount of dark humor in the dialogue which I always find amusing and the acting was solid. Overall, another entertaining show.

Unrelated to the Fringe, I saw Zoolander 2 a few days ago.  I went in with low expectations since there was no way they were going to match the greatness of the first.  Unfortunately it was even worse than expected. Although I laughed maybe twice, the movie was over saturated with celebrity cameos in almost every scene, recycled jokes from the first movie, and a plot that changed every half hour.  Pretty disappointing.

That's all for now.  Bye.

Australia 101

Prior to a few years ago, I really didn't know much about Australia except it was originally filled with convicts from England and a bunch of kangaroos.  Talking to people (mainly from the states) has shocked me about how little people know of Australia.  Granted, at least in my 13 years of public school and 4 years of university, I was never taught about the land down under in class and people in the states hardly get any Australian media that's not riddled with Australian stereotypes.  So in hopes of enlightening some people (including myself because I got to learn more about the country's history in writing this), I present to you Australia 101.

First things first.  Australia is big.  It's roughly the same size as the mainland United States (although in regards to population, much smaller).  Australia is made up of 6 states: Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, and Tasmania.  There are also 2 territories within the mainland, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory but these are often treated as states.  It would take about 40 hours to drive nonstop from Sydney (New South Wales) to Perth (Western Australia).  Similar to the US, each state has its own set of laws but also adhere to a national standard as well.

Almost everyone lives on the perimeter of the country.  The middle of Australia tends to be a pretty big desert (The Outback) which makes living a bit hard.  The biggest city is Sydney with a population over 4.8 million. Melbourne (Victoria) is not far behind with roughly 4.4 million. Brisbane (Queensland) has about 2.2 million, Perth with 2 million, and good ol' Adelaide (South Australia) with 1.3 million.

The currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD).  Coins come in $.05, $.10, $.20, $.50, $1, and $2.  A $.01 piece is not needed since all pricing is rounded (if something costs $5.99, you pay $6).  Notes come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.  Each note has a distinct color/size which makes identifying amounts very easy.  Notes are made of a polymer plastic which makes them pretty much indestructible.  They can't be ripped and could easily survive a dip in the ocean.

$20 and $5 notes on top and $.05, $.20, $.50, and $2 coin below

So how did Australia come to be?  After the United States gave the boot to Britain, the English needed a new place to send convicts.  Lucky for them, British sailor James Cook had found/claimed a pretty large island a few years prior in 1770.  In 1788, the first fleet of ships carried over 1500 convicts to present day Sydney.  It wasn't until 1790 that people willfully immigrated to the place now known as Australia.  Fun fact, South Australia is the only modern state where convicts were never sent.

In 1901, Australia became an independent nation after Britain said the people were allowed to govern themselves.

In terms of government structure, Australia is both a constitutional monarchy as well as a representative democracy.  There are 3 "arms" of the government: legislature (aka Parliament), executive (Australian Government), and judiciary,  Parliament is elected by "the people" every 4 years.  Voting is compulsory and failure to do so results in a fine.  Parliament is made up of 2 Houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate.  The leader of the political party that has the most seats in the House of Representatives after an election becomes the Prime Minister, or the head of the government.

So what's the deal with The Queen?  As a constitutional monarchy, The Queen of the UK acts as the head of state (known as The Queen of Australia when in Australia).  However, she doesn't really have political impact besides acting as a symbol.  "The Queen is represented in Australia at the federal level by a Governor-General. He or she is appointed by The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia and is completely independent of the British Government."

A pretty well known topic about Australia is the Aborigines.  The Aboriginals are the indigenous people of Australia who were here long before the British arrived.  I still don't quite get the relationship between them and European Australians but it sounds fairly similar to that of Native Americans and European Americans. The new arrivals to Australia didn't treat the Indigenous people very nicely.  Disease and a number of other things brought from Europe took a pretty big toll on the native population.  Long story short, there are still Aboriginal communities around Australia and the modern government offers help and assistance as restitution (this is pretty controversial).

This doesn't really have any relevance but that's a wild koala.

Now that you know a little more about Australian geography and history, let's talk about some common myths.

Myth # 1: Everything will kill you
While there is some truth to every myth, not everything in Australia is going to kill you.  Yes, there are some incredibly dangerous animals/insects but they tend to have very little human interaction.  Apparently more people die from falling off a horse each year than by getting eaten.

Myth # 2: Sydney is the capital of Australia
No.  Sydney is NOT the capital.  Stop saying that.  The capital of Australia is Canberra.  

Myth # 3: It's always summer
This depends on where you are.  Darwin (Northern Territory) does pretty much have year round summer but Adelaide, for example, gets the seasons.  During the summer here it averages about 30°C (86°F) but can have multiple days in the 40s (100°+ F).  Winter time averages around 16°C (60°F) with rain a common occurrence.  At night during the winter, it can actually get pretty cold.

Myth # 4: Kangaroos are everywhere
Hate to be the bearer of bad news but if you're in a big city, you're not going to see a kangaroo roaming the streets.  I have yet to see a wild kangaroo but have heard they are common as you get more inland.  Actually, one of the top reasons for tourist death is people driving too fast at night in the Outback and smashing into a kangaroo.

Myth # 5: Major cities are the equivalent of the Outback
Believe it or not Australia is one of the most developed countries in the world.  Unless you are actually in the Outback, a city is just like any other modern day city.  Roads are paved, people drive cars, there are skyscrapers, khaki bushwhacking attire is not the norm, etc.

Questions, comments, concerns?  Hope you learned a thing or two about Australia.  I also really hope the info I put in here is correct.

That's all for now.  Bye.

In case you don't believe me, here are some sources: 
http://goo.gl/gEYc3Q
https://goo.gl/UzDsrX
http://goo.gl/vhpC1
http://goo.gl/yNjlik
https://goo.gl/aFnSHG

Let the Festivities Begin!

There's some exciting things happening in the land down under lately:

First things first, I got to watch the Super Bowl over at Liam's place, due to the time difference, on Monday (a little weird not being a Sunday).  I think this was the first time I've actually sat and paid attention the entire game.  Although I don't really follow football at all, I was happy Denver won since I used to live in Colorado and Liam would have killed me if I had gone for the Panthers.  While it was great we were able to see the game, it was a bit sad not having the US commercials play.

Housing update:  Initially I was only supposed to be staying at my current place for 6 weeks which would have been up on Saturday. However, one of my housemates decided to move in with her boyfriend which meant there was a spare room available which I quickly claimed. It's a great relief not having to move and I shouldn't have to worry about housing anymore (or at least for quite a while).  Even better, one of my other housemates bought a new bed and said I could have her old one which makes things very convenient. 

Adelaide Fringe commenced on Friday.  I'm going to do what every teacher in history has told me not to do and quote Wikipedia:

The Adelaide Fringe is the world's second-largest annual arts festival, and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. For 24 days and nights during February and March, it features more than 4,000 artists from around Australia and the world, featuring world premieres, hit shows and new artists. Over 900 events are staged in pop-up venues in parks, warehouses, lane-ways and disused buildings as well as established venues such as theatres, hotels, art galleries and cafes.

The festival includes contemporary work in art forms including cabaret, comedy, circus and physical theatre, dance, film, theatre, puppetry, music, visual art and design. Adelaide Fringe begins with free opening night celebrations, including a street parade through the city centre and parties at various venues. Street theatre artists from all over the world participate in four days and four nights of events as part of The Adelaide Fringe Street Theatre Festival.

The festival attracts interstate and overseas visitors: 6% percent of the Fringe’s 1,560,000 audience members are visitors to the city.

The amount of shows is pretty overwhelming but I've been doing some research to try and narrow down selections.  A lot of people have said you don't even need to go to any of the shows to appreciate the festival but I figure I might as well see at least 1 while I'm here.  I get to walk by a big festival location that took over a park on my way to/from work which will be fun to do!  It seems like there's going to be a lot to do in the next few months.

In terms of work, I'm still loving my job.  I got "promoted" to a shift manager and have my first managerial shift today.  It feels really nice to be recognized for doing good work and getting rewarded for it, something a certain previous job failed to ever do.  We got a spot at the Royal Croquet Club, one of the hubs of the Fringe in the middle of the city which has been great.  I did an 11 hour shift on the first day of Fringe and a 7 the next which was exhausting but fun.  Throughout the festival I'll be trading between working at the shop and at the croquet club.

High quality iPhone 3 camera picture.  Entrance to the RCC.

Although it's still a little ways away, plans for my birthday have started to formulate.  I am very excited.

Have a good week and happy Valentines Day!

That's all for now.  Bye.

Travelling: Planning A Trip Part 2

Here's part 2 of planning a trip.  Once again, this turned out to be very long so I cut it down as much as I could.  If you missed part 1, here it is.

Before You Go:

Packing

Clothes ~ This is going to greatly differ depending on if you're going abroad or staying in country.  Let's say you're going international.  Assuming you did research on the country you're going to beforehand, what will the weather be like when you're there?  If it's a place that is hot year round, bringing a heavy jacket is not necessary.  If it's winter time and the temperatures average out to be freezing, you probably won't need shorts and thongs.  Especially with international travel, a lot of people tend to over pack.  A wise piece of advice I was given before going to Ireland was to lay out all the clothes you think you'll need and only pack about half of them.  This also depends on the type of travelling you're doing.  If you're doing the backpacker thing for weeks or months at a time, less is more.  If you're going on vacation to a resort, you could pack a little extra (but try and leave space for bringing back souvenirs).  In both situations, be aware that you have to carry whatever you bring.  A good clothes packing list includes (of course this also depends on what you'll be doing): 

• 2-3 pairs of pants                
• 3-4 shirts
• Nicer outfit for special occasion    
• Socks 
• Underwear
• 1 pair of everyday shoes and possibly 1 other for nicer occasions
• If staying in hostels, shower thongs and a microfiber towel will make life easier

Packing Sucks

Toiletries ~ If coming from the US, it makes life a lot easier to simply put any liquids into a checked bag otherwise you'll have to take size restrictions into account and deal with taking them out at security.  You don't need to pack every little toiletry you think you may need.  Especially if you're going to a fairly well established country, everything you can buy in your home country will be available at your trip location.  When it comes to smaller bathroom appliances like hair dryers, there's a high chance it won't work in the new country anyways so might as well save some space and buy a local one if you can't live without. 

*Side note, pack nail clippers.

Medication is another thing to be aware of and I'm going to throw it into the toiletries category.  Restrictions vary country to country but to make things simple, if it's not essential, don't bring it.  Any drug must be kept in its original container/packaging, only the necessary amount for the length of the trip should be brought, and although not always required, a doctor's note/prescription should accompany any medicine just in case. Nothing screams "drug smuggler" to boarder security as much as large amount of pills in an unlabeled Ziploc bag.  It's important to declare medicine (if required) before going through customs.

Outlet/Power Adapters ~ Outlet adapters are a must if travelling abroad.  Different countries have different electrical sockets and an adapter is likely needed to be able to plug in home electronics.  This is an easy thing to figure out by doing a quick Google search of "outlet adapter for country."  Adapters can be bought online or in store.  The cheapest ones I found were on Amazon.  You only need 1 or 2 of these unless you plan on bringing heaps of electronics.  To save some space/money, remember that if you bring a computer, you can charge many electronics via the computer's USB ports which means you won't need as many plug adapters.  Another thing that makes life a lot easier (and if you have the luggage space) is to bring a power strip from your home country.  That way you'll only need 1 adapter and can plug in your electronics like normal.  

USA to Australia Plug Adapter

On the topic of adapters, you likely are not going to need a voltage converter.  Yes, an adapter is different than a converter.  The voltage strength of outlets differs between countries which means electronics from your home country will likely not be powered correctly without a converter.  This is what causes things like hairdryers to "fry."  The good news is most electronics nowadays that require charging come with a built in power converter.  You know that little white thing for your iPhone you plug into the wall/USB to charge your phone?  That's a power converter  The brick looking thing on your laptop charger?  Also a power converter.  If you have an electronic that you think already has a power converter, look at the writing on it.  It will likely say something along the lines of "Input: 100-240V."  That means it can take any voltage between 100 and 240 volts which, I believe, covers every country in the world that uses electricity.  No converter needed.

Laptop Power Converter

Laptop ~ A laptop is by no means necessary but it sure can make things easier.  Between backing up pictures, looking up directions, and staying in touch with people, I like having access to a laptop.  Although I love it, my normal laptop is a massive Dell and I'm pretty sure it weighs about 30 pounds.  That might be a slight exaggeration but it is very heavy.  Before coming to Australia for the second time, I discovered the wonders of the Chromebook.  A Chromebook is essentially a very cheap laptop that is mainly used for the internet.  I could go on and on about Chromebooks and why you should/shouldn't get one but I can't recommend a Chromebook enough for travel purposes.  I have the Acer CB3-111.

Logistics

Tell Your Bank

A very important thing to remember is letting your bank know you're going abroad.  If you all of a sudden start trying to use your credit/debit card in, say, Switzerland, your bank is almost for sure going to freeze your account and reversing it can be a pain.  All you have to do is call your bank and tell them your travel dates and where you'll be going and they'll put a note on your account.  Some banks let you do this online.

Make Some Copies

One of my worst fears traveling is losing my passport or bank cards.  Although there's no way to entirely prevent this from happening, if you make copies of your cards/passport, it will make things a lot easier if the unfortunate happens.  I carry a copy of my passport in a separate bag from the original and give my parents copies of my bank cards.

Cell Phone

Alright.  Let's chat about cell phones, more specially smart phones.  There are some very cheap/free ways to use your phone abroad and some very expensive ways to do so.  

The most expensive and, for lack of a better word, stupidest way is to simply use your phone as normal (assuming it has roaming capabilities). Do not do this.  You will have a heart attack when you see your bill. It's pretty easy to find stories online of people being ignorant about travelling with their phone and racking up tens of thousands of dollars in cell phone bills because of it.

The free way is to simply turn your phone to airplane mode and keep it there for the length of your trip. This way you can still connect to WiFi (meaning you can use the internet/apps) and won't get charges from your phone company (this is what I did in Ireland).  Of course with airplane mode turned on, you won't be able to send text messages, call people, or use data.  However, there are numerous apps that run off WiFi and allow you to do these things. My favorites are Viber, which lets you call and text others with it, and Messenger which lets you video call/voice call/message people with Facebook.  Other popular options are Whatsapp and Skype. If you have an iPhone, you can still send iMessages and use FaceTime as long as you're connected to the internet.  Another potential downside to relying on WiFi is not being able to use map functions while out and about.  There are some apps that will work offline and provide you with maps.  I haven't used any but have heard good things about PocketEarth.  While talking about offline apps, Word Lens is great for travelling in a country with a different language.  You take a picture of a sign/menu and it will translate it to another language (I just checked my phone and apparently Word Lens is no longer a thing and has been replaced by the Google Translate app).

If you still want/need to be able to use a phone as normal, you're going to want a local, prepaid, SIM card. First, you'll need to unlock your phone.  An unlocked phone allows you to put any SIM into your phone whereas a locked phone won't accept any SIM card besides the carrier's.  At least in the US, this can be a bit of a hassle.  Most companies won't allow you to unlock a phone until the contract terms are up.  If you are able to get an unlocked phone, take it to your destination, buy a local SIM card, and insert into your phone. Bam. Your phone will work just like it did in your home country.  In terms of what SIM card to get, that could be a whole post in itself.  To keep it short, I'll just say do some Googling about best prepaid SIM cards in whatever country you're visiting.  I only pay about $23/month and have 2GB of data and unlimited calling and texting using Amaysim here in Australia.

If you don't want to deal with getting a local SIM card but still want to save money, many phone companies have international plans.  These are going to save you a lot as opposed to roaming but they can still be expensive.  All you have to do is let the phone company know and they can get you set up, if available. The cost will depend on your phone carrier.

Print Out Your Details

Not an essential step but printing or writing out details such as your accommodation address, directions, transportation confirmations/itinerary, and anything else you may need in the travelling process may be beneficial.  For example, on a lot of incoming passenger cards you're asked for your local address.  Having this handy will prove helpful.

Final Steps:

Educate Yourself

Now that the big things are dealt with, try and learn a little more about the place you'll be going!  Find out more about the history.  Figure out some local social norms/etiquette (I always look up how tipping works).  If going to a place where they speak a different language, learn the basics like "please" and "thank you."  In my experience, little things like these not only help you but it makes the locals appreciate you more.

Especially if you come from a country that has a heavy influence around the world (e.g. the US), try and brush up on your home country as well.  Chances are very high someone will ask you about your country's governmental policies or history and it doesn't look very good when you have no idea yourself.

Double Check 

A few days before you head off, double check everything!  Make sure flights, ground transport, accommodation, visa status, and anything else you've already booked is good to go.  It would be a bit of a bummer to find out your flight was moved up 2 hours or your hotel booking never actually went through the day you leave.  It never hurts to print off boarding passes at this time, too.  Also, make sure you have your passport.

Enjoy the Trip

That's it!  All of that work is done and now the only thing left to do is relax and enjoy your upcoming adventure.

- - - - -

Wow that was long.  I've got some good updates but those can wait until next time. Have a good week!

That's all for now.  Bye.