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Thursday, November 24, 2011

On The Road Again


Gathering at the Airport
We travel the days we play.  So today is Thursday (Wednesday in the States) and we play tonight in Canberra.  Canberra is the capital city of Australia.  It’s a rather small city and according to locals a fairly undesirable place to live unless you are a politician.  The story goes that back in the day Melbourne and Sydney were battling it out for the right to be the capital city and whomever was in charge of the decision said you all can get fucked and picked a spot in the middle of the two cities known as Canberra.  It’s a short flight from Melbourne to Canberra, approximately a 45 minute flight.  I brought my passport to the airport thinking that my US drivers license wouldn’t qualify as proper ID.  Come to find out they didn’t ask for any ID just confirm my name and that’s it.  Our boarding passes were not what most would know.  Instead it looked like a cash register receipt with a bar code on the bottom.  Just scan that and you are on the plane.  Similar TSA rules apply such as no liquids, no flammables, and no knives.  However when we went through security all they asked me to do was remove my computer from the bag.  I didn’t have to remove my belt, take off my shoes or empty my pockets.  I passed through security with a  breeze and waited at my gate to board the plane.  When we arrived at our destination we gathered our bags and headed out to the cars.  The team rented 4 large vans for the equipment and players.  We loaded the equipment in one car and the rest of the vans were reserved for players and coaches.  After loading up it was short drive to our destination, the Medina.  Not a hotel but more of a dorm room the Medina looks old as dirt on the outside and ultra modern on the inside.  Each room has 2 bedrooms with 2 single beds, a living space with coaches and flat screen tv and a kitchenette with fridge, oven, range and sink, and a bathroom with tub/shower, sink and washing machines.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised when I walked through the door.  Not what I had expected upon arrival.  The weather for this trip is suppose to be cold and rainy the whole time.  Drizzle seems to come and go as it
Krispy Kreme: Even in Australia
pleases and never results in much more than a few drops here and there.  Ill write more about this city as I explore it so stay tuned.  Ive asked around and found Im suppose to visit Parliament House and the War Memorial, but other than that Canberra doesn’t have much to offer…Ill be the judge of that. 

3 comments:

  1. As the saying goes, the best thing about Canberra is the road out of it....
    Having said that, the War Memorial is definately a highlight.

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  2. Hi Jason, I'm a baseball fan in Sydney so although that means I have to hate Melbourne, I wish you all the best with your season. Look forward to more posts.

    Glad also you are discovering the travesty that is coffee in the USA and what real coffee is like.
    ;-)

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  3. Jason, I'm pleased you're experiencing Australia, and back playing baseball.

    One day when you've got a few World Series rings, and retired from playing, you'll have a backyard BBQ with family and friends recounting stories of life "Down Under".

    Sydney is the best city in Australia, so make sure you spend some time on Sydney Harbour when you're here!

    The weather will be quite stable from now on, and come January and February it's going to get super hot!

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