We arrived in Brisbane a week ago, and it’s been a non-stop slow-motion party of eating, drinking and talking (followed by sleeping)! Ozzies, or at least our family here, are social creatures!
We’re here for a little more than 2 weeks, embracing Christmas and New Years holidays, with my birthday thrown in for good measure.
Brisbane is a city of about 2.5 million people, sandwiched between the Sunshine Coast to the north and the Gold Coast to the south, midway along the east coast of Australia. It reminds me alternatively of parts of Los Angeles and Arizona, partly from the suburban sprawl surrounding its modern downtown, and partly from the architecture of the mostly wood and stucco houses surrounded by palm trees and manicured gardens.
Not surprisingly given our manic travels, I have moments of not knowing where I am. The raucous calls of flocks of rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras or the appearance of giant spiders above the exotic vegetation bring me back to knowing where I am.
Katherine and Andrew (Chris’ sister and brother in law) are gracious and attentive hosts. Andrew is a great cook, and we eat well. Their house was designed and built by them, and it’s clear that their house is the “Party House” of their friends, blending inside and outside spaces seamlessly.
Their cat Coco is a constant presence in the house too, making sure to remind his parents that he is WAY overdue for food (according to his one-track mind). He has a lusty throaty yowl that is hard to ignore. He has lost almost 2 kilos on an involuntary diet and he’s not super happy about it.
While the news from the US features sub-zero temperatures and dire reports of cold-related calamity, the weather here is showery, warm and humid, but not excessively so. Geckos chirp from ceilings and everyone seems to have a swimming pool that is almost warm enough for me.
Eating is a constant here…you are either doing it or planning to do it. Well, not completely true – sometimes having a beer or a cocktail takes over from eating in the short term. Life is good here, and it’s obvious that people enjoy gathering together for a drink or meal, much more than in the US or maybe anywhere I’ve lived.
For my birthday we went to a local Indian restaurant and it was great. Super service and very good food. First time I have ever had Tandoori Lamb Chops. Recommended!
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