D72 -- American accents cool

We went back to the 12 Apostles this morning to see the view during the day, and continued along the final bit of the Great Ocean Road, stopping at several pretty look-outs. We had to get back to Melbourne tonight to get ready for our flight up north, and Thomas asked me to help with the driving. I'd gotten fairly used to driving on the right side of the car, but this was the first time I'd driven standard here. It was a little freaky to shift gears with my left, but luckily it went fine. We stopped for dinner at McDonald’s. Yes, that's right, McDonald’s! They have a “McCafe” menus of healthier sandwiches and salads at all their locations here. It's great for when you're on the road but don't want an artery-clogging burger or the ubiquitous Australian meat pie. I was all excited because the girl behind the counter told us that she loved our accents. I've never had anyone compliment my American accent before!

We had trouble finding a place to stay because today was the start of the Commonwealth Games. They're held every four years, like the Olympics, and all nations and territories that are still affiliated with the United Kingdom participate – 71 in total. We saw some of the fireworks from the opening ceremonies while we were unloading our car, and watched some of them on TV with the staff of our hostel. There was a lot of aboriginal imagery in the ceremonies, and one of the commentators said something about Australia originally belonging to the aborigines. One of the staff members said to the others, “They came here, too!” It seems she was comparing the aboriginal migration here 40,000 years ago to European settlement two hundred years ago! Hmmm... Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Australia... every country we've visited so far has been a nation of immigrants whose ancestors practically wiped out their native populations. Maybe the US isn't so unique after all.

-Elva