How to Speak Australian

The first obstacle one encounters when talking to someone in Australia is deciphering if the person is a true Aussie, a Kiwi (from New Zealand), American, Canadian, or from the England/Ireland region.  With these different nationalities comes a completely different accent and their own lingo to go along with it.  Also there are heaps of Europeans from non-English speaking countries, Asians, and a lot of Brazilians in Sydney.  You really never know what you’re going to get when you start speaking to someone down here, which makes it that much more interesting.

Some of the stereotypical phrases that we’re used to in the states are present down here, but not exactly the same.  Shrimp on the barbie is not accurate because they call shrimps prawns, but the Aussies do love their barbies, as do I.  The do say g’day, mate, cheers, no worries, no dramas, and wanker.  This is only the beginning of the lingo and their language continues to boggle my mind daily…

Lingo

How to speak Australian can be summarized with a few key rules.  First, they abbreviate EVERYTHING!  After half the word is cut off it’s usually safe to assume that you add -ies to the end and you’re good to go.  For example sunglasses are sunnies, breakfast is brekkie, and mosquitos are mozzies, which have been eating me alive.  Another trend in the lingo is shortening words and adding an -o to the end like with avro, which is afternoon or seppo which is short for septic tank and a lovely nickname for us Americans, along with Yanks.  One thing I don’t quite understand is their tendency to end sentences with the word but.  The first time I experienced this I was like, “Yes continue on…”

Just in my cozzie…enjoying the view of Bondi Beach

One phrase that really caught me off guard is someone asking you if you “Fancy a root?”  This and tons other variations on this phrase means “Do you want to have sex?” or something to deal with being absolutely messed up, like rooted when you’re really drunk.  So ladies this is one you definitely want to take note of because I’m sure you will come across a similar situation down here.  But don’t get the wrong impression about the Aussie guys, they really aren’t usually that forward and don’t come across as complete womanizers like many other nationalities.

Here are some helpful sayings / words to get you acquainted with the language Down Under….

Ankle-biter: Infant or baby

Bog in : Begin eating, to attack food with enthusiasm or be a Carnie

Bottle Shop: Liquor store

Cabbie: Taxi Driver- By the way they are the biggest as*holes down here…

Chemist: A pharmacy or someone who writes you prescriptions

Chips: French Fries

Crisps: Our chips, fried potato chips

Cozzie: Swimming costume aka swimsuit

Dead Horse: Tomato sauce / Ketchup

Gronk: Complete idiot / moron

Good on ya: Well done or good for you

Hotel: A pub that can be with or without food or accommodation * You always have your local pub/hotel!

Lollies: Sweets or candies, not necessarily lollipops

Longnecks: 750ml bottle of beer…On Australia Day I was called out for “longneckin” my Passion Pop

Macca’s: McDonald’s

Off one’s face or on the piss: Drunk

Roadie: A beer you take with you…gotta love these!

Skull or skol: To drink a beer without taking a breath aka our pound or chug

Westie: Someone from Sydney’s western suburbs…Not the classiest area of people

Follow this link for a more detailed list of Aussie sayings and lingo.

My local Bottle Shop! Love this place..

The Australians do cuss a lot and are constantly insulting each other, but it’s all in good fun.  They have a very dry sense of humor that I love and there is never a dull moment around them.  They have no “sensor” regarding what they say and to whom.  There is no BS down here and you’re going to hear how someone really feels and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Most Americans can’t quite handle the truth, but I love the brutal honesty of the Australian culture.  People are not easily offended here or worried about being politically correct and it’s amazingly refreshing.

Pronunciation & Spelling of Words

The Aussies have a tendency to completely leave out letters in a word.  For example Melbourne is pronounced simply as Melbin, because that makes sense? Both the letters “h” and “z” are pronounced differently.  I just joined ANZ Bank, which is pronounced A N Z(ed).  WTF?  The word aluminum is also one that they have their own way with and manage to pronounce it al-u-min-e-um, which is adding an extra syllable.  Also their spelling is much like the Queen’s English with all their ou’s like in colour.  The word that really caught me by surprise was the word jail is actually spelled gaol.

Yup Tomato Sauce it is!

My Lingo Progress

The more time I spend with Australians the more their lingo is rubbing off on me.  It really is inevitable for this to happen and I’m loving all the new words and ways to say things.  I have really become a fan of sayings/words such as: I can’t be bothered, reckon, something bad is just sh*t, heaps, bottle shop, and the list really does go on.  I’ve also picked up the cue after many people giving me a blank stare that ketchup is actually called tomato sauce, but must be pronounced with a hard o sound like in Tom.  I’m sure the longer I’m down here the more sayings and lingo I will pick up and say without even realizing.  It should be interesting to see how much these Aussies do rub off on this American girl living in their world!

Hope this was helpful to those of you wanting to hear a little about the lingo and language down here in Australia.  I’m sure I’ll have more favorite words in the future and my Australian vocabulary will continue to grow!

Just a few Americans enjoying some beverages responsibly!

Taxes

Everything is expensive in Sydney, but alcohol is sooo expensive it’s seriously disgusting.  At bars, clubs, restaurants, and in the “Bottle Shops” the amount they charge for booze here should be illegal! For example, if one were to buy a bottle of Smirnoff here it would cost about $40, in the US $12, and a good bottle like Grey Goose will cost you $90, in the US $40. Ew. Right?  Plus who even drinks Smirnoff?  Even a 6 pack of Corona’s or other import can cost you $20 at a local bottle shop in Bondi.  Wine is the one alcohol that you can get at a decent price.  Most younger Aussies and backpackers drink “Goon” which is boxed wine, that is disgusting, but for $10 you can get around 3 liters.  The origin of goon comes from the Aboriginal translation, which means pillow, because the Aborigines would drink the goon wine and then blow up the bag for a pillow.  Classy huh?  I’m hooked on a great $10 Rosé that I discovered at my local bottle shop on Beach Rd, and my most recent obsession, thanks to my fellow American Liz, is Passion Pop, which is a $6 bottle of sparkling goodness that does the job.

A classy box of Goon Wine chillin' on my balcony

Laws

In addition to placing ridiculous amounts of taxes on of their booze, they also have tons of laws and rules they have put into place.  RSA class or Responsiblity for Serving Alcohol, is a mandatory class for anyone that plans to serve alcohol for a job.  It was a 6 hour lecture about the dangers of drinking, binge drinking, “drink” driving, and the laws surrounding serving alcohol.  It was not a fun day and of course I went straight to the pub after for a beer.  Also the fines for serving minors or over-serving someone can cost you up to $11,000.  Alcohol can only be purchased in bottle shops aka liquor stores, and is usually not for sale after 10pm.  Most bars highly monitor who they’re letting in and will ask you how many drinks you’ve had, and if your answer is more than 2 they usually will deny you entry and tell you to come back later, which you then just head to another club.  Drinking on the streets and in public places is not illegal unless stated on a a sign, so that’s nice.  Finally the limits that they have imposed at sporting events, such as cricket, are horrible and you aren’t even able to get a full strength beer.

All the different "Standard Drinks" here in Oz

Hot Messes

Everyone knows Aussies are big drinkers and they know how to have a good time, and I love them for that.  I thought I was prepared for this but I was sorely mistaken.  Since I’ve been in Sydney I’ve learned the hard way that there is absolutely no way I can keep up with the Aussies.  I don’t know how they do it.  They will drink all day, while at a barbie or whatever it is they do, and just continue into the nighttime not even phased.  Well I mean they are usually wasted, or pissed as they say, but somehow keep it together.  I can’t do it, I’m one or the other: day drinking or night drinking.  Also a new term I’ve learned is to “skull” a beer, which would be like “pound” or “chug” in the American culture.  Oh yes all these life lessons the Aussies are teaching me.

A typical Aussie fridge in a bottle shop

Getting Around It

If you’re coming to Australia for a holiday or to move I would recommend buying the maximum amount of booze at the duty free store in the airport to save yourself some money.  These bottles will come in handy for your pre-drinking activities and your new best friend in Oz, your flask.  In the bars here a cocktail will literally be one shot, which is 30 ml aka about an ounce.  This caught me by surprise since I’m used to the states where normally your single cocktail will end up being a at least a double.  It’s actually sobering to drink single drinks here and is super expensive.  This has turned me into more of a beer girl and of course I am still enjoying my wine.

Don’t let this article leave a bad taste in your mouth about Australia.  It is unfortunate but believe me there are tons of things that make up for it in this country.  Hope this was useful information and gives you a better idea about what it’s like to drink Down Under.  It really hasn’t slowed me down, in fact Australia has made me much more of a lush but everything in moderation right?  Please comment and give me some feedback regarding topics you would like to know more about while living in Australia! Thanks!

Coffs Harbour

The airport at Coffs was one of the smallest I have ever been in and I loved it, the simplicity of an airport usually sets the tone for the city.  We picked up the flatmates car, which thankfully hadn’t been towed, and headed straight to the beach at Coffs Harbour.  After laying out for a few hours we went to the Yacht Club, which is one of the main restaurants/bars in the area, and met some of Pete’s friends for some drinks and dinner.  I tried VB, Victoria Bitter, for the first time and can’t lie, I enjoyed it.  I’m still shocked by how much beer I’m drinking down here but I’m learning to appreciate it.  The next morning we headed to the beach again at Coffs Harbour to lay out, take a quick swim and then left for South West Rocks.

One of the beaches in Coffs Harbour

Myself enjoying the beautiful beach in Coffs Harbour

South West Rocks

After a short hour drive and a quick lunch in Nambucca, which wasn’t the classiest place I’ve been, we arrived in South West Rocks.  Although there is negative cell phone service in the area, I loved it here because it was so relaxing and everyone was beyond friendly.  My friend Tim was with his family and family friends camping right by the beach at the Arakoon campsite, which is located by the Trial Bay Gaol, yes that’s “jail.”  The camping here was not quite roughing it due to the electricity provided to power their kitchen supplies and of course their televisions to watch their beloved cricket, which I’m still completely lost on the rules.  I didn’t stay the night on the campsite but after seeing what amenities are available I think I may consider it in the future.  I spent a lot of time with the group just drinking beers, going to the beach, and exchanging hilarious stories.  It was great to be around a fun laid back family since I really miss mine.  There really isn’t much to do here but relax on the beach, take in the amazing wildlife, and enjoy some quality time with friends over a good meal and just a ‘few’ drinks.

Trial Bay at dusk- Super warm and calm little cove!

Enjoying a nice "Cold" beer in Trial Bay

Within moments of arriving at the campsite I sighted my first local wildlife, which was very exciting.  It was a huge kangaroo just chilling and munching on some grass.  They are very tame animals but you need not to get too close because they are very strong and will kick your ass.  I got some pictures with him, like the tourist I am, and we continued on a little wildlife excursion.  We came across a family of roos, with little joey’s/babies that were so cute.  I also fed a kookaburra, which I have on video, so check that out.  Later on we took some beers to the cliffs and sat as we saw a fever of stingrays, literally hundreds, sea turtles, and enjoyed the gorgeous views of the coastline.  The not so pleasant side of Aussie wildlife would have the be the abundance of flies, which is worst the farther north you are, also mosquitoes, cockroaches, other beetles, and spiders….to name a few.

My first up close and personal shot with a Kangaroo!

A great place to see some sea life & enjoy the view in South West Rocks!

Journey Home

After 3 days and nights of doing absolutely nothing but tanning, eating, and drinking, it was time to head home.  The drive wasn’t the most pleasant due to my slight hangover from the over indulgence of alcohol the previous day and night.  The highlight of the trip home was me experiencing my first meat pie.  We stopped at the World Famous Fredo Pies in Frederickton and I was crazy about my Steak Diane meat pie.  I’m definitely hooked now, but am scared that most will not meet my expectations since my first was one of the best.  This place also had meat pies made out of kangaroo, emu, crocodile, and hundreds more.  After the pit stop we continued the drive home, which ended up taking about 8 hours, 3 hours too long, due to accidents and random set backs.  I had a great mini-vacation up the coast and am so happy I decided to go before getting tied down here in Sydney.  Check out my pics on Flickr from my trip!  Everyone please leave feedback and any questions you may have!

My new street Beach Road

My New Home

I’m currently renting a room in Bondi Beach, which is located in the Eastern Suburbs, on Beach Road.   I was informed about the room via a friend and am living with a nice Australian guy named Pete who works in the finance industry in the city.  My apartment is on the third floor, which is good for my figure, and is a 2 bedroom 1 bath that is fully furnished.  I am lucky to have the familiar amenities that I’m used to in the USA that I was neglected from while in Europe.  A dishwasher, washer & dryer, microwave, huge fridge, WIFI, and up to date appliances really do make a difference.  My room is kind of small but has a double bed with a single bunk up top, a good size closet and dresser.  My place is about 5 minutes walk from the beach, close to tons of bars, restaurants, shops, and convenience stores.  The nightlife in Bondi is very chill with a lot of nice big patios to enjoy some drinks with friends.  You can walk everywhere in Bondi, which was a selling point and it’s just a short bus ride to Bondi Junction, which has tons of shopping and is a transportation hub for buses and trains.  Although rent is quite steep, I’m grateful at how quickly I was able to settle into a nice place in a wonderful location.

I do have bunk beds…who's coming to visit?

Living room with the most comfortable couch ever!

Nice kitchen that I have yet to cook in…

Lifestyle

Australia is truly about “No worries” & “No Dramas” and it’s wonderful!  Most people I’ve met have been very friendly and helpful, especially guys- Ha wonder why?  Also the amount of people that walk around barefoot, and only wearing their swimsuits is crazy.  Here the motto “No shirt, No shoes, No Problem” is in full effect.  I’ve lived in a lot of coastal cities but Sydney takes the cake on how laid back both the lifestyle and people are.  It couldn’t be more opposite than Phoenix, which tends to be very fake and materialistic.  It’s actually refreshing to be on the beach and see girls that are natural and aren’t injected with silicon, botox, and other absurd amounts of enhancement surgery.  With that said there are still plenty of gorgeous people in Sydney, especially in Bondi.  Most people are very fit and are in tune with good style and most do it in a classy manner.

Pretty much standard…

Weather

I was not impressed by the weather when I first arrived to Sydney because there was so much rain and overcast skies the first few days.  Since then it has been absolutely gorgeous with highs in the mid 70’s – 80’s or low to mid 20’s Cº.  January and February are suppose to be the hottest months so we’ll see if it warms up any more.  The only set back is how muggy and humid it can be on some days, but the coastal breeze usually takes care of this issue.  At nights it’s been an average of mid 60’s (15 Cº) which is a little chilly for me, but a light jacket or a few drinks tends to do the trick.  The water temperature is a little on the cold side for me and is usually low 70’s or 22 Cº and I won’t lie, I have yet to fully jump in here.  The sun here is very strong since they have practically no ozone layer above and it’s taken some mild burns to learn my limits in the blazing sun, but I’m good now and getting prettttty tan. 

These are just the basics about my new home! Hope you all are enjoying reading about my new life.  Show me some love friends and fans! Also check out more pics on my Flickr Account.

My new home Bondi Beach!

Sydney Harbour filled with boats awaiting the fireworks to ring in the New Year

Since New Years I have been enjoying exploring my new city and getting used to the laid back lifestyle that is lived Down Under.  It seems crazy to think that I’ve only been here such a short time considering how comfortable I feel with my new surroundings.  This first week has been devoted to relaxing, doing some sightseeing, learning how to get around, and enjoying some quality beach time.  I have made my way to Manly Beach via the ferry out of Circular Quay, (pronounced Key) obviously taken dozens of photos of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and have also made the trek to Darling Harbour.  When the sun has been shining, which has unfortunately been a rarity since I arrived, I’ve been tanning myself on Bondi Beach and Coogee Bay, which is minutes away from where I’m staying.

Gorgeous Coogee Bay

On the ferry ride into Sydney Harbour from Manly Beach

Overall the transition of moving on the other side of the world has been surprisingly quite painless and has gone rather smoothly.  I give partial credit to the connections I made before making the journey, which gave me a place to stay, and the fact they speak English also helps a great amount. I feel that Sydney is a nice balance of The United States and Europe.  It’s hard to explain but it still possess some of the character and Old World feel and charm that Europe has to offer, like England of course, but it contains just the right amount of New World American flare to make it livable.  For example the concept of “Take-Away” or “Fast-Food” isn’t foreign to them.  This is very American of me to say but there is a time and a place where quick and convenient is just more important than an enjoyable leisurely 4-hour lunch, like the Spaniards tend to do.

A spectacular sunset in Coogee Bay

Now that my “vacation week” is coming to an end, I’m slowing getting into the mode to look for an apartment and a J-O-B!  I’m getting my RSA, which is like an alcohol certification, done Thursday so I can begin to look for jobs first thing next week.  I hope to find a laid back serving job in Bondi Beach along with a cute flat in the same area.  Wish me luck as my adventure in Australia continues!  Continue to be in touch and please leave comments and feedback about my posts and journeys.  Also check out some more pictures and videos on my Flickr account!

Christmas Eve dinner with my lovely family!

Goodbyes are always hard and it never helps when you’ve gotten two hours of sleep the night before and are an emotional wreck for numerous reasons.  The dogs were my first goodbye and of course I cried.  Giorgio, my tripod, shook in my arms as I kissed him goodbye; he knew I was leaving.  Valentino is always on “Cloud 9” and when he got his kisses goodbye he was not fazed and walked away wagging his little stump of a tail.  Next was my brother Ryan, which was quite the water works display.   Finally at the airport the hardest goodbye took place with the parents.  I obviously cried as I said bye to my Dad and lost it as I said bye to my Mom.  It was hard to say goodbye to them even though I know they will be visiting me Down Under within a few months.

My boy Giorgio acting as a great gift!

Valentino tanning with his puppy…what he does best!

So once the tearful goodbyes were over I proceeded through the grueling security line in Phoenix.  Of course I got searched and they messed up my strategically packed carry-ons.  The flight to Los Angeles was quite painless and the warmth of my Bailey’s and hot cocoa helped a lot as I thought about what was ahead of me in my life.  After re-claiming my bags at LAX and re-checking them in for my V Australia flight I proceeded through another horrible security line and went to my gate.  I made my last phone calls and boarded my plane with mixed emotions.  The idea that I was about to fly 14 hours to another country to live was a trip, but I knew that it would pave my future and would no doubt be the experience of a lifetime.

As enjoyable as a 14 hour flight can be, my flight from LAX to Melbourne was quite painless.  A window seat, super nice American girl next to me, (who was in my shoes a year before) and a great electronics set up helped.  We all had individual screens with dozens of movies, shows, games, and also the ability to charge your electronics through a USB port.  Needless to say I ate dinner, had a glass of Australian wine, and passed out.  Thank god for Ambien because I think I was unconscious for about 12 hours and the flight was a breeze.  I can also say that I really enjoyed V Australia’s service and the ambiance of their brand new planes.

My excess baggage in Melbourne…those carts saved my life and my back!

Once we landed in Melbourne it finally set in that I was in Australia and I couldn’t have been happier.  All went well through customs and I re-checked my bags one more time for my quick flight to Sydney.  Other than freezing my ass off on that flight and the lady next to me awkwardly breast-feeding her kid, I can’t complain.  Once in Sydney I met up with my friend Rhodri and we headed to Coogee Bay to get ready for New Years Eve.  Things went surprisingly smooth on this journey and I can only hope that my trip continues with a similar vibe. Everyone be in touch and please comment and respond to my blogs, I think this will be a great way to stay in touch! Happy 2010 to all of you…more blogs about my life Down Under to come soon!

Fireworks over the Sydney Bridge! Happy New Year!