From: Beth Fulton <beth.fulton@m...>
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2002 10:32:38 +1000
Subject: RE: [OT] Completely off-topic and useless celebrating re: World C up
G'day, > Most Europeans, even a lot of Americans, don't really grasp When I was in Europe that couldn't get how big Australia was until I started explaining that where I would be going to Uni was the same as my parents being in Stockholm with me in Lisbon... the other ones that got them were: 1) There is no bridge between Tassie and the mainland 2) New Zealand is a separate nation and not an island jutting off Queensland 3) We have stations (farms) that are larger than some European countries and I'm not talking about the Luxemburg size ones 4) Travelling 5 hours for a hamburger was not something the rural populace of Australia would worry about (though it probably casts some doubt as to our culinary sophistication) 5) Yes Australia does have snow, and washing machines and television... As to unnerving events in airports, I was travelling at the time of the Gulf War, there was a change of planes in Singapore, I forgot to take my ventalin inhaler out of my pocket and so set the metal detector off, I got patted down.... I found out (at the point of many automatic rifles) that a ventalin inhaler rather resembles a small handgun in shape if its inside your pocket at the time.... my ventalin is now the first thing in the tray when I go through the metal detector (and thankfully the new machines mean I don't have to prove my laptop works, explaining dual-boots to airport scanning staffers can be a bit of a time consumer). As to the world cup, Australia is steadfastly refusing to comment as to the logic/fairness of the selection process ;P ;) Cheers