Welcome to Brisbane :)

I have arrived! The plane ride was not that bad and even the 8 hour layover in LA was not that bad. Though I didn't spot any celebs I got a great book called Kook about a surfer who starts from the ground up and goes pro in a year, very inspiring. I also, wrote in my journal and started my novel. Yes, I plan on writing a novel about my journeys, whether it sells or not or anyone reads it it will be a great memoir of this journey.

Made 2 friends in the LA airport both from Australia. One was named Glen, probably in his late fifties who was so friendly and gave me a ton of tips and even offered to pick me up with his family and show me the coast at some point. The other was a woman named Simone, visiting home to see family. Both were so friendly and immediately wanted to exchange emails and numbers. The flights were great, I watched Water for Elephants (loved), Arthur (so stupid), Bridesmaids (always hilarious) and Scream 4 (mediocre at best). I slept a lot too which was nice. And took advantage of my free bottle of wine on Qantas airways.

Arrived in Brisbane at 6am and met a girl named Karin who was from Edmonton and a lonely traveller as well. Sadly she was not going to the same hostel as me but said she might transfer in a couple days to mine. She was really nice and us canadians can stay together. Got checked in to my hostel and went for a run around the area, lots of cafe's, restaurants and little shops. Realized I will never be drinking coffee here as the average cup is $3.50 min and the absolutely cheapest is the crap from 7eleven, so crazy. Bananas here are currently running at $10.99 fora bundle, when I asked about this it was because of the flooding bananas are gold here. Stew should bring a suitcase full of bananas and we'll sell them for like $4, we'd make a killing!!!

Anyways, walked across the bridge and went looking for an electronics converter and cell phone. Got hte converter and got my phone unlocked, just need an Aus simcard now. Came back to the hostel, layed by the pool and watched boys being boys throwing each other in the pool. I couldn't understand anything they were saying and soon realized they were German. haha. A young gentleman walked into my 8 person room yesterday when I was relaxing. He is 23, named Haiko from the Netherlands. He was about 6'4", blue eyes and really nice. He was just staying for a night so we decided to go for a walk to the waterfront since he's been in aus for a bit and knew the area. watched a really cool laser show, went on the ferry and saw the beautiful waterfront area where I discovered there is a GORGEOUS man made beach. I am hitting that up today naturally. Had a beer with Haiko and chatted with from French men and then off to bed where we hung out with a french girl for a bed and then retreated to our bunk beds. I got top bunk which I thought funny since I haven't been in a bunk bed since the days of camp at Texas Longhorn ranch lol.

Slept like a baby and about to head out for another run today. Going to buy some groceries but will probably live off granola bars while in Bris since everything is SOOOOO expensive :( Gotta get my phone sorted out too and then heading to the beach. My french roommates aren't much drinkers sadly so it may be a dry week in Bris. Haiko and some other Europeans are having a bbq on the weekend and invited me so I may go. They have these outdoor gazebo type things at the waterfront with gorgeous bbqs for public use. So cool.
Anyways, looking forward to seeing Emily and Stew soon enough! It's beautiful here, the perfect weather, I am sooooo not missing cold Canada right now but I am missing family and friends and thinking of you all and will email when I can. I have to pay for internet here so it may be in time! Love you all!!!

Courts