The weather is starting to get colder or I guess more comfortable by most standards. Cooler weather is a sure sign of autumn. It also has been raining a wee bit more and that is very relieveing to most Australians. This was one of their driest years on record. One big difference about fall is that on native trees the leaves to not change colour and do not drop for hours of endless raking. Rather on the gum trees the leaves stay.
The other sure sign that it is the autumnal period is Aussie Rules Football starts this weekend (not different from the states when football starts there). People get very excited about Aussie Rules Football. There are about 16 teams in the country. The ball is larger than American Football. The players do not wear helmets or pads. Shorts, kneesocks, and sleeveless jersey are it. So I guess by comparison Australians find American Football rather wimpy. I do know that the team rivalry, excitement from the fans, and betting pools are all the same as the United States, maybe more so. People cheer for their team, they no not root for a team as it has a deragatory connotation. They league has a pre-season like American Football, a regular season, and tournament play. For more information on teams and to see some uniforms visit the offical Aussie Rule Football website at: http://afl.com.au/ Hopefully we will get to go to a game. It is difficult to get tickets here as it is in the United States for a football game.
Australians are a sporting nation. It is not pluraized here by the way, sport section of the newspaper or the sporting news on television, not sports. The world championship swimming is being held in Australia this year. It has full coverage on regular television every night, cancelling all other programs. It has been fun to have the opportunity to watch the meets and have commentary by Australians. They root for a good race and are very positive about all athletes particpating. They do interview Australians more. But full coverage on regular tv, that supports a good race and not just the athletes of their country. Can we say this about the United States coverage of world championships or the Olympics?
Kim and Patrick's Travel Adventures
