So I haven't updated my blog with my trip in some time now, Uni here has been crazy busy and time has been short. I thought I'd update a few photos that I have of where I'm living here at the University of Illinois. I'll update some more of these photos of the school soon and then continue on with the regular program. Andrew [View Full Entry]

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That's not a lie, every word of that title is true. But first, before I arrived in Texas, we stopped in Santa Fe. It has quite distinct architecture, any new building that is built there has to be designed to a very strict code of how it should look as evident in the pictures. A few things of note there was the spiral staircase inside one of a church, it has no internal supports and is quite a feat of engineering. Also the amazing Spanish food that we had in the town square, there were vendors set up around the place [View Full Entry]

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After the wonders of the Grand Canyon, we continued on our journey across the country into the land of the Indian reservation. These area's are quite unique in that they dont really belong to the states that they are located in and they have their own governments and laws, one thing that we all know but might not realise. The Simpsons and other popular culture references has taught us this with that of the Indian Casinos. Gambling is illegal in all but a few states, Nevada being the most obvious, but it is also allowed on Indian Reservations. Monument Valley, the [View Full Entry]

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To start with, I should say that I've seen enough of the Grand Canyon to last me a lifetime of lifetimes! After another long all day bus ride from Vegas to Arizona (I can see these are going to wear on me quickly) we arrived at the Grand Canyon, we all filed off the bus trying to glimpse one of the seven natural wonders of the world. We walked up the path looking around for it and all of sudden, there it was! Truly breathtaking the first time you see it, pictures and movies just cannot do its size justice. What [View Full Entry]

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My flight to Los Angeles was the first one to be delayed. I got to wait about an hour in the airport, then board the plane, then get off that plane because one of the warnings wasn't working and then get on another brand new plane and finally get on my way. Fun times. I finally arrived in LA sometime in the afternoon where I met my Great Auntie Wendy for the first time. She was kind enough to pick me up, give me some food and then take me to my hotel in Anaheim all in one afternoon! She also [View Full Entry]

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The trip into the city took about 40 minutes. It was very weird driving on the right hand side of the road with the steering wheel in the car on the left side. Every time the driver made a turn I flinched thinking we were about to go into incoming traffic. I arrived at the Green Tortoise Hostel about 8:30pm, it was right in the centre of the city and just across the street from the Pike Place Markets. It was the perfect location. For $33 a night I got a very comfy bed in a six bed dorm which had [View Full Entry]

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I arrived at the airport about 4 hours before the flight, I had a long time to wait, the queue was rather long to get to check bags though, so time went quickly. I had no troubles getting through customs and I got to wait around til the flight left at 7:30 pm. I met an American girl at the lounge and we discussed differences between Australia and the US. She had just spent a month in Australia so she had quite a few things to tell me. Mainly the accent but differences in names of soft drink (in the US [View Full Entry]

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Today started just like yesterday...in the dark. Sunrise is about 7:30am, so naturally with my always waking early habit, I was up well before then. Today wasn't going to be like yesterday, today I was going Black Water Rafting! (more on that later, and an actual explanation of what it is.) I awoke at 5:30am after what was a fairly bad nights sleep, the bed was comfy enough and no one was snoring, but it was a Saturday night and there was a bit of noise and music coming from outside, it wasn't too bad though and I got enough sleep. [View Full Entry]

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Yes, the alliteration continues, but I'm sure you'll live! Auckland, it's kinda like Brisbane...I saw a Bunnings on the plane in, the only difference I've noticed so far is Hungry Jacks is Burger King. I think right now I need some food though, hunger has set in, then I might go to the Sky Tower. Tomorrow, Black Water Rafting awaits! I can't wait. Andrew [View Full Entry]

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I've been to cities that never close down From New York to Rio and old London town But no matter how far Or how wide I roam I still call Australia home I'm always travelin' And I love bein' free So I keep leavin' the sun and the sea But my heart lies waiting over the foam I still call Australia home All the sons and daughters spinning 'round the world Away from their families and friends Ah, but as the world gets older and colder It's good to know where your journey ends And someday we'll all be together once [View Full Entry]

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