What a crazy two days it has been!
We arrived Monday morning around 9. We sat on the plane for a while for them to come in and spray all the overhead bins so we don't let anything illegal into the country! We managed to squeeze all of our bags into the taxi and were on our way to the hotel apartment with smiles all over our faces! Our hotel room wasn't ready, so we unpacked our bags in the middle of the entrance to find a pair of shorts and flip flops and head to the university. Only a short 15 minute walk away we made our way to the university and headed to the International Student Service Centre where we got a welcome package. We then told them that we were exchange students, so technically not international and the woman was a little bit confused so then we went to the the Exchange office where we picked up another package. The woman there was very nice and gave us our student numbers and showed our classes. My classes were all fine and I managed to get Friday off, possibly another day too if I want to rearrange things! Laura still has to work on her schedule but the exchange lady seems very helpful. We then went to get our student ids where they had to take a picture of us for the card. Keep in mind we have now been awake in Vancouver for about 14 hours, followed by a 14 hour flight and now have been walking for about 3 hours. Needless to say the pictures are a little bit ugly, and we are starting to smell!
After the IDs, we went to the bank on campus and set up an account. We had been looking at the list of available accommodations at the International Centre and realized that it was useless to call people when we didn't have a number they could call us back on. So we headed into the nearest suburb and got set up with phones. However, having worn boots for the last couple months, our feet were not used to sandals and we had a couple blisters and raw feet to deal with. We stopped for a pair of flip flops each at a wonderful $2.50 and were happy for the rest of the day!
After a quick call home with our new phones we grabed a bite and headed back to campus. Here we proceeded to write down every possible available apartment, shared accommodation or house for 2 people and started calling them. We managed to get an appointment with one woman who claimed she had 2 rooms to rent so we thought it would be awesome. We found this apartment, after getting rained on, and knocked on the door. There were cardboard boxes all over the entrance hall stacked as high as the ceiling, so we thought people may be moving out. But no! The boxes were in fact the wall of the "room" that had no door, just a space in the boxes. And there was only this one room, not 2 as she had said. So we quickly left and headed back to our hotel. Our room was ready so we were able to finally shower and change out of our clothes! We made the rest of the calls to the apartments, most of them taken or only available for 1 person. We began looking on websites and everything too without much luck.
Our hotel room balcony faces a dominoes pizza across the street. Being very tired we decided to walk over there and pick up a pizza for dinner. We finally went to sleep around 10, seemingly void of any jet lag and having accomplished a lot more than we thought in less than 24 hours in Australia!
Tuesday was almost just as busy. We headed to the university again and decided to check out the residential colleges to see if they had any vacancies. The first two sort of laughed at us when we asked and said no. We then walked to the "New College" residence and asked if they had space and to our amazement the guy said yes of course. We went on a tour of the building and filled out an application form, hoping to hear back as soon as possible.
We went back to continue to search for places back at the International Centre incase this one didn't work out. We went and saw a place at 3, but it was not great so we decided not to take it. Finally around 4:30, James, now our hero and named St. James, called to offer us a place at this New College. We managed to get into residence! The place we are living is similar to Marine for those of you at UBC. We will share a kitchen and living space with 5 people but have our own separate rooms with individual bathrooms. It is right across from one of the main entrances to the university, on one of the major streets and bus routes. So basically perfect!
We headed back to the hotel very relieved and excited. Tonight we went to see Slumdog Millionaire with a couple other exchange students and then went for dinner at a Thai place with these students as well. We have just arrived back at the hotel and are getting ready for bed. We appear to not have many effects of jet lag. I guess when the time difference is so large it's not much of a problem!
Tomorrow we have an arrival session for international students in the morning and then an Afternoon Tea for any early arrival exchange students in the afternoon. Thursday and Friday we are hoping the weather is nice and we can finally enjoy and explore some of the city and beaches. We will move into the residence sometime on the weekend.
One of the gates surrounding the UNSW campus
Streets appear to have been designed for tourists. OCASP people would be glad to know that the Australian government is working hard to reduce all potential hazards for Canadians abroad.
Overlooking the Quadrangle Lawn. See? The sun does shine brighter here!
We tried reading a local newspaper, but had to quit when we realized it was written in a foreign language.
We finally arrive at Coogee Beach! Within half an hour of taking this photo, the pictured friendly clouds peaced out to make way for the giant, dark rainclouds. 
The clock tower at UBC 
One of the beautiful views on the bike route
Morgan braving the millipede
Laura being... not so brave
A sea lion showing a gull who's boss at the aquarium
