Hailey Goes To Oz: Canberra

I'm a little behind on the updates, so let me backtrack a little:

2 weekends ago Katie, Gracie and I took a Greyhound bus down to Canberra. For everyone who thinks that Sydney is the capitol of Australia: guess again. The capitol is a lovely little place called Canberra and it's about as different from Sydney as it could be. It's a pleasant, pre-planned city that's nice and clean and everything looks so put together. Ask any Canberrian what they think about their home and they'll say the same thing: "Great place to live, but why would anyone visit?" Here are some scenic shots I got:

View from The Lookout

Parliament House

War Memorial

The real reason that we went to Canberra was for Gracie and Katie's friend (Joe)'s birthday party. The party wasn't until Saturday night and we arrived at his house on Friday night. We were welcomed by his family in typical Australian fashion. They were so nice and let us stay the weekend with them. Joe's mom fixed us some pasta when we got in and it was nice to have a real meal.

After we got dressed and ready we hit the town and went to a club called Academy in Civic (a part of Canberra). It was a really good time and Joe and his friend Geoff-later nicknamed "Josepheeny Weenie and Geoffy Poodle"-took good care of us.

Outside of Academy with some new friends

L to R: Gracie, Joe, Katie, Geoff, Me

The next night (Saturday night) was Joe's party and it was hilarious! It was a costume party, and everyone went ALL OUT. Gracie, Katie and I weren't prepared and didn't have anything to wear. Honestly, we thought Joe was lying to us when he told us we had to dress up. We thought he was trying to trick us into looking like stupid American/Canadians all dressed up for no reason. But Joe's mom helped us put together our costumes and I went as Cleapatra in a toga, Gracie was Pocahauntas, and Katie was....well...I don't really know. She threw on some uniform that was funny to all the Canberrians but we didn't get it. I think it was a high school rugby shirt or something.

Anyway, Joe's brother Mardo went as Duffman from the Simpsons and his costume was hysterical. Halfway through the party I was sitting and talking to him and he goes, "Wanna trade costumes?" and I was like, "HECK YEAH!" Haha, so I ended up as Duffman before the night was over. At one point I put on a Wiggles shirt of someone elses but I got the evil eye from Mardo so I took it off ASAP. Haha, overall a fun weekend!