This and that!

Here're some things I've seen or learned on this trip. I'll be adding to this as I think of things.

1. In Guam when they want a new coconut tree. they split a coconut in half lengthwise, then tape it to a living tree. The coconut they sprouts on both halves and makes 2 new baby trees.

2. The one downside of Sydney is its FLIES. They are smaller than those of the US, but follow you everywhere, and try to land everywhere, especially on your face. You can see people swatting flies as they walk down the street.

3. Sidewalk advertising signs scroll down so each one has at least 4 advertisers.

4. The Sydney subway allows food and drink. No smoking, no alcohol and no putting your feet up on other seats. It's cars have 3 levels: the one you come in with with just a few seats, then the upper and lower levels. There is nearly no graffitti and no littering. In fact, so far I've never see a steet with litter or blowing papers since I got here. There are elevators, escalatorsand rest rooms in most subway stations. There are also computerized scrolling signs at each track telling you when the next train will arrive and what stations it goes to. Inside each car is onr of those digital scrolling display that also tells the next stations.

5. Sydney is a truly international city. It has a HUGE Asian (from everywhere) , German, Turkish, amd Italian populations. Aside from the very occasional aborigini (not like Cairns where there were a lot or native people on the streets, going and coming from work) there are no black faces. Jane (my Servas friend) says that there are a lot of new immigrants from Sudan, but I've only seen 1 so far.

6.Burger King is called Hungry Jack in Australia.

7. People not only drive on the left; they walk on the left on the street, and use lefthanded handrails on staircases. This last takes a little getting used to.

8. The Taronga Zoo washes all its enclosures every day, and recycles its water.

9. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is MUCH larger than it appears on TV or post cards. It's huge...the longest single span arched bridges in the world. And, yes, there are people climbing it 365 days a year, even in the evenings.

10. There is a very low police profile in Sydney. In 3 1/2 days I've seen 6 cops and heard 1 siren.

11. There are penguins that live in the Sydney Harbor...and no, I 've only seen them in the zoo.