Let's Get a Wriggle On

Unless you're willing to have a go, fail miserably, and have another go, success won't happen. Phillip Adams (Australian)

As Nadine and I headed east on the train headed towards Melbourne on Nadine's birthday (September 1st in case you forgot), we were uncertain of what to expect of our encounter with the Bennett family. Upon walking into their living room and seeing a chocolate cake with a candle on top, we knew that our time together was going to be great.

We spent the weekend mostly relaxing with the fun Bennett bunch. To really be welcomed by/into the Bennett family, we went to a "barbie" put together by Chris, brother, uncle, family comedian. We spent the evening quizzing each other Aussie words and their American equivalents. Be careful talking about "rooting" for your favorite team in Australia, you will get some interesting looks.

We visited the normal sites, museums, parks, cultural places you wouldn't find in New Mexico, but what made our time in Melbourne great was the Bennett family. We met each other through a fellow educator, Joy C., who had switched places with the Bennetts early in the 90's in a teacher exchange. They offered to put us up for awhile and share a part of their life with us.

Big waves in front of the museum, no sharks

Terry took us to an Aussie Rules Football game between his team, Richmond, and West Coast. Unfortunately, his team lost by almost 100 points. I played basketball with David for an evening in his basketball league. It was great to run up and down the court. We didn't lose by the same margin as Richmond. We spent a night playing cards with Louisa (Lou), James (Jam), Anthony (Ant), and Kathy (Kat). Anthony, being the dealer, some how won. A little fishy. Rachel and I had some major battles over chess, the 12 year old came close to beating me, but not quite. Jess was ever the entertainer.

Rachel, Cathy, Jess, Big Terry, Cool Guy, Cool Girl

Nadine and I also had the pleasure of meeting one of Nadine's old class mates from Skutt High School in Omaha, Terry Packer. According to Nadine, he still looks the same other than the fact that he is 10 years older and an engineer living in Australia.

Due to the fact that we spent so much time with the Bennetts, a good thing, we only had 2 days in Sydney. It is kind of working due to the fact that the weather has been raining and our last day in Australia is set to be, well, raining. We plan on spending our last day in Australia on a whirlwind tour of Sydney, Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Skytower, and maybe a few other places we can fit in.

Nemo! Nemo! Where are you Nemo?

Hard to believe but we are already a third of the way through our Around the World trip and are passing from our stage of easy traveling in English speaking countries and a solid tourist infrastructure to foreign languages and possibly some more difficult traveling in third world countries for 5 months.

Chocolate makes life worth living. - Cathy Bennett

Life is good and we are both in good health and excited for another challenge.

JW