First Impressions

Day 4 in Perth and I finally made it across the river to the CBD, or Central Business District. It's a small city by American standards, but it is packed with skyscrapers, indoor and outdoor shopping malls and even several parks. There is quite a bit of green space, which makes urban dwelling very pleasant and offers tourists many photo opportunities. I was on a quest for hangers, in preparation for the move to our flat. Unsure where to start, I took the blue CAT bus line (buses are free in the CBD) until I saw something that looked like a mall. Within minutes I found a Target, of all things. I've never been so happy to see that red and white logo! It's very different from what we're used to in the States. Foods like fresh meat and produce are fairly reasonably priced, but "finished goods" like towels, clothing and furniture are very expensive. Electronics (computers, etc.) are almost prohitively expensive. Not sure how anyone can afford the computers and cell phones, but with a robust economy and low unemployment, there is a way.

On Saturday we journeyed to Fremantle, a coastal city about 20 miles from Perth. It reminded me of the old town section of Galveston before hurricane Ike smashed through it. There is a charming old train station and many shops, as well as an impressive World War II memorial and an active sailing community. My favorite spot was the market which sold spices from huge barrels and at least 25 different varieties of olive oil. They're on the metric system here, so I will need to be careful what I ask for until I get in the habit of thinking in grams and liters. There were many jewelry shops there also -- Australians are enamored with opals, which are mined locally.

The weather is similar to Houston in spring and it has been quite humid. This is rare for Perth, I am told, and is caused by the unusually high amount of rainfall they received during the winter. It is relieved each afternoon by the "Fremantle Doctor," the name Australians have given tot he daily breeze which rushes in from the ocean each afternoon around 4:00pm. Temperature is recorded in centigrade, and it has been hovering around 25 degrees (about 80 F) since we arrived.

I hope to post pictures in the next day or so, as soon as I can get them uploaded. Meanwhile, it's time to get packed up again for the move to our new flat! There is a second bedroom, so anyone who can make it here for a visit is welcome to stay with us. Until next time...