Australia seems expensive, relatively of course.  Dinner last night at the nearby Holiday Inn hotel bar was not cheap.  My entrée, a couple dishes of bar bites, consisted of 4 chicken wings, and a lamb kebab costing $20.  The accompanying Victoria Bitter was a stingy $7.  Good thing you don’t have to tip in Australia and the tax is included.  I suspect that things will get less expensive as I venture out of the airport microcosm. 

The Aussies that I have come across are friendly and genuine.  This morning I woke up around 4 after my lengthy sleep and waited around until 7 for the continental hotel breakfast consisting of toast, cereal, coffee and of course vegemite; yum!  After breakfast, I was greeted by the hotel receptionist who seemed very interested in what I planned on doing in Australia.  After a 45-minute conversation about the weather, sport, and teaching, I felt very welcomed to be here.  On the way back to my room, I was greeted by 4 or 5 hotel staff who greeted me with a “good morning, how are you?”  What a vast contrast to even the best of hotel staff in the States.  We certainly have something to learn!