Three Things Only Australia Can Throw At My Face
13 September 2006
Some days you just know it's all worth it.
It's only six thirty on my watch, and the coffee is percolating in its pot, and I've taken off my trainers, and I still have some time to go back to bed and sleep. But I'm too awake for that. I know the sun is good outside, perfect for just about anything.
Yikes, have I gotten too optimistic and sunshiny now? This is what Australia does to you; I've been living here for little over a year now, and I love it. It's seeping in my skin. It's an in-my-face kind of bliss.
Here are three things only the land down under can throw at me.
1. Fishes: Lots of them and all kinds. Barramundi, flathead, cobbler, gummy shark, lungfish, the list goes on. And they're always fresh! I can never figure out how to cook them properly, but I try my best, and they still come out tasting good. It helps that Australia has countless restaurants with cuisines from all over the world because when I'm feeling lazy, I just leave it to the experts.
2. Mornings: Jogging is almost a religion for me. It makes me sweaty and short of breath. If I don't jog in the morning, I'd be guilty the whole day. Haha. But seriously, I know for a fact that the Australian air and sun is the healthiest. And you have to admit, there's simply nothing like being the first to see the sunrise, hearing birds chirp, making friends with other joggers, and knowing you're alive. Simply put, in Australia, I learned how to run for my life.
3. Market Days: Which is to say, everday. Australia has lots of good and exciting markets. Exciting because you never know what you're going to see and get. It's a hodgepodge of everything: Chinese incense, German sausages, Italian herbs, New Zealand pavlova, Greek cheeses. To shop here is to take a trip around the world.
At the end of the day, it's never really about what kind of stuff you're going to bring back home. Not jade bracelets, or rutabagas, or cocoa tablets, or Japanese lanterns for that matter. Whether I'm on the beach or in the outback, or a sushi bar, or a football stadium, I'm always sated when I get back to my house. Sated with the friendship of people. It's about participating, it's about involving one's self. I'm in Australia, and it's all that matters.
Neoli Marcos
It's only six thirty on my watch, and the coffee is percolating in its pot, and I've taken off my trainers, and I still have some time to go back to bed and sleep. But I'm too awake for that. I know the sun is good outside, perfect for just about anything.
Yikes, have I gotten too optimistic and sunshiny now? This is what Australia does to you; I've been living here for little over a year now, and I love it. It's seeping in my skin. It's an in-my-face kind of bliss.
Here are three things only the land down under can throw at me.
1. Fishes: Lots of them and all kinds. Barramundi, flathead, cobbler, gummy shark, lungfish, the list goes on. And they're always fresh! I can never figure out how to cook them properly, but I try my best, and they still come out tasting good. It helps that Australia has countless restaurants with cuisines from all over the world because when I'm feeling lazy, I just leave it to the experts.
2. Mornings: Jogging is almost a religion for me. It makes me sweaty and short of breath. If I don't jog in the morning, I'd be guilty the whole day. Haha. But seriously, I know for a fact that the Australian air and sun is the healthiest. And you have to admit, there's simply nothing like being the first to see the sunrise, hearing birds chirp, making friends with other joggers, and knowing you're alive. Simply put, in Australia, I learned how to run for my life.
3. Market Days: Which is to say, everday. Australia has lots of good and exciting markets. Exciting because you never know what you're going to see and get. It's a hodgepodge of everything: Chinese incense, German sausages, Italian herbs, New Zealand pavlova, Greek cheeses. To shop here is to take a trip around the world.
At the end of the day, it's never really about what kind of stuff you're going to bring back home. Not jade bracelets, or rutabagas, or cocoa tablets, or Japanese lanterns for that matter. Whether I'm on the beach or in the outback, or a sushi bar, or a football stadium, I'm always sated when I get back to my house. Sated with the friendship of people. It's about participating, it's about involving one's self. I'm in Australia, and it's all that matters.
Neoli Marcos
Australian Food: You say Australia, I say Yummy
06 September 2006
Not that we're saying the Brits are bland and boring just because their legacy of cuisine to Australia is the standard lamb chop and three vegetables (or meat and three veg). After all, that was during the 1830s, a time when English immigrants had to live modestly. Simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-cook dishes was the style then. If the recipe book suddenly asked them for 350 °F in the oven for an hour, they simply turned to the next page.
But Australia is more mouth-watering now than ever. The wave of migration of Asian countries, the Greeks, Italians, Germans, Africans, and who else, has brought their native cuisine to Australian shores. What results then is a blissful chop-suey of worlds, a lovely fusion of gastronomy.
And why not? Australia is surrounded by pristine waters, has rich pastures for cattle and sheep. And there's plenty good sunshine for vineyards and farms. Australia can never run out of fresh lemon aspen, barramundi, abalone, yabby, and sparkling Olive Grove Chardonnay. No reason at all for chefs not to come up with sinful creations such as Grilled Tuna with Lime dressing or Kingfish fillets served with Macadamia Sauce or Oysters Kilpatrick. Then top it all off with the equally sinful Australian dessert Pavlova, a fluffy meringue decorated with whipped cream and fresh fruits.
Of course, we can go on forever praising the culinary wonders of Australia, but it's about time you came over here to experience it yourself.
But Australia is more mouth-watering now than ever. The wave of migration of Asian countries, the Greeks, Italians, Germans, Africans, and who else, has brought their native cuisine to Australian shores. What results then is a blissful chop-suey of worlds, a lovely fusion of gastronomy.
And why not? Australia is surrounded by pristine waters, has rich pastures for cattle and sheep. And there's plenty good sunshine for vineyards and farms. Australia can never run out of fresh lemon aspen, barramundi, abalone, yabby, and sparkling Olive Grove Chardonnay. No reason at all for chefs not to come up with sinful creations such as Grilled Tuna with Lime dressing or Kingfish fillets served with Macadamia Sauce or Oysters Kilpatrick. Then top it all off with the equally sinful Australian dessert Pavlova, a fluffy meringue decorated with whipped cream and fresh fruits.
Of course, we can go on forever praising the culinary wonders of Australia, but it's about time you came over here to experience it yourself.
