10 things I love about Australia

1)  The People    Australians are lovely people.   Friendly, polite, laid-back and funny,  they're wonderful hosts.   They love Americans and are endlessly inquisitive about our world.  I've met Aussies who know more about US current events than our own citizens.   They speak with charming british accents,  but also have their own fabulous slang.     When you factor in the warm and dry climate,   it's as if England moved to Southern California and took the best of both worlds.  

2)  Coffee    This is a cafe society.  Every neighborhood has at least a couple of nice indie cafes, often with outdoor seating and a case of tempting baked goods.   A good cup of coffee is always easy to find.  How good?   Starbucks hasn't even tried to move into this country.  I've visited the 3 most populated cities and have seen exactly 2 Starbucks.    I've become addicted to  the "Flat White".......something akin to a latte with less milk and more strong coffee.  I've been studying the baristas  to see how I can concoct this when I return. 

3) Sports scene    Aussies love their sports and it's a completely different scene than the US.   They're crazy about cricket, rugby, soccer, surfing and especially "footy" or Australian rules football.   It's a sport that's kind of a combination  of rugby andf American football that  is played without pads.  Even though Footy isn't in season right now, rerun games are on TV all the time.   These are a gambling people.  The morning papers are full of betting grids on all sports.    And it's not isolated to games.  The Sydney  morning paper recently gave betting odds on the likelihood that the pope would resign over the latest crisis.

4) Universal health care   They have it and they love it  Everything is covered....everything.   I spoke with a breast cancer survivor who told me of her treatments in great detail with several rounds of chemo, surgery, aftercare and more.  Total cost?  Nothing....not a dime.  Not one co-pay.    She received first class treatment through the entire process.   Every Aussie I spoke with couldn't understand the US healthcare debate.  How could anyone be opposed to universal health care?  What are these people protesting against?   I had no answers to these questions.   The Australians pay for their health care system with a small income tax (1.5% of income) and hefty sin taxes .  A six pack of beer costs almost $20.  A gallon of gas $6.  Don't even consider smoking cigarettes.  

5)   Landscape    The entire country of Australia has a population of 22 million people and ninety percent of those live in the five largest cities and suburbs.   It's a country roughly the size of the US with small fraction of the population.  It makes for a lot of open space.  Much of the interior is desert or jungle, but  what I've seen is ever changing and gorgeous.  Lot's of exotic wildlife, too.

6)  Food  It's been said that Australians have no cuisine of their own and while that might be true, I've eaten very well here.   The proximity to Asia makes for many choices of ethnic food and we've enjoyed them all.   Mr. Smither is quite the foodie, which makes him an excellent travel partner.    Since all the cities are on the coast there's great seafood.   I'd never heard of Barramundi before this trip, but it's quickly become my favorite fish.   Australians love their "brekky"  and we've indulged in some pretty big morning meals such as this breakfast stack.....fabulous!   They do serve Kangaroo, but I'm not going there.  

7) TV   There's nothing on.....ever.    Each time we check into a hotel I'll flip on the TV and turn after 5 minutes and a couple of spins around the channels I turn it off.   At seems that half the channels are devoted to sports.  Cricket is always on.  Chris explained the fine points of the game so I almost understand it, but it''s still the most boring TV sport ever.    The rest of the channels are devoted to bad movies and the worst of American television.   The TV news is pathetic.   The only bright spot is they seem to show Flight Of The Conchords a lot.    This must be why they hang out in cafes and attend concerts...nothing on telly.

8) Public Transportation   This country has great public transport.   Every city has  a tram or bus system and it's always clean and easy to navigate.   Melbourne has no less than 4 different rail systems including a free tram in the downtown.   Even flying within the country is pleasant.    It's as if 9/11 never happened as the security check is a breeze.  No taking off your shoes,   showing  ID or boarding pass,  no toiletries in little bags and you can even bring your water bottle.   It's so nice to see people greeting loved ones at the gate just like the old days. 

9) Goofy town names   Wee Wa, Wollloomooloo, Tumbarumba, Wagga Wagga, Coober Pedy, Mullindolingong, Buddabaddah.....I could go on and on.

10)   Being called "mate" by total strangers