Sunday, March 20, 2011

A religious Experience

So, tonight Nikki and I went with a friend we met surfing last weekend, April, to church. It was at Calvary Christian Church. They had tacos for us beforehand... yum! I was curious to see how it was in compared to a catholic mass. First of all, it wasn't really a mass. You walk in and its very modern, felt like a convention room setting. There was a stage with hardcore concert lighting. It started with a 'rock band' type performance with a whole ensemble. Kind of overwhelming and it didn't seem like church. Great singers, but I didn't know any of the songs. Then I got to see baptisms. In a Catholic mass, baptism is usually with infants, and everyone gets quite dressed up, theres usually one or two at a mass. Here, everyone was uni age or older and very casual. Some wore swim suits under T's and shorts. Instead of a priest pouring holy water and oil over your head, you step into a small pool and are completely dunked under. It was so different than what I'd seen before, but interesting. Then the pastor, probably late 20s early 30s, came out to speak. He was charismatic and I really liked what he had to say. He was passionate and knew how to speak so everyone could understand the message. Of course it was more informal and passionate than a Catholic service. We sang some more, prayed and then after an hour and a half it was over.

Then they had a sausage bbq and cake afterwards. Sausages are like Brats only thinner and taste better. Its what all the Aussies eat at bbqs and they put them on a slice of bread with either tomato sauce (Ketchup) or barbeque sauce. Onions are optional. Met some nice people there. One guy in particular was so fascinated that Nikki and I were from MN! He loves the Mighty Ducks movies and was so excited we were from where they were filmed and have been to the places in the movie. He also wanted to know about skating and was excited because MN is home to the Miracle Man and the Miracle on Ice. Quite an interesting conversation. We hung out a bit, ate and then it was time to head home. Over all, it was a different experience at church, one very different than I am used to, but pretty good.

Nikki and I watched a little TV with her roomie Elli and learned that: A) Aussies have no idea what root beer is.(a crime!!!) and B) they don't really have kegs here. I've also learned that Aussies dont say the letter 'H' like we do in America. They say 'Hay-ch' with the hard H sound. so funny to listen to. Also, when saying money or how much something costs, they say for $2.50- Two dollars fifty. kinda different. It is so annoying having so much change here. Coins are $2, $1, .50, .20, .10 and .5 SO many coins! very inconvenient, their notes (dollar bills) are much prettier, more colorful and impossible to tear because they're plastic. Some of their foods are english words, yet others are in spanish (Sultanas) means raisins/grapes. Weird how they mix languages. One thing I won't understand while im here is how most Aussies don't like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. HOW is that possible!? 

While here I've so far eaten a few foods native to Australia. 1) hot cross buns (no its not just a song!) I had chocolate chip ones. delicious! they also come in fruit ones (by fruit they mean sultanas, by sultanas they mean raisins) 2) Vegemite... if you like salt, you'd like this! I don't care much for seasoning, so i wasn't a fan. I prefer peanut butter and/or jelly on my bread. not the type of flavor I usually go for. 3) Tim Tams...SO DELICIOUS. They are cookies. long and thing filled with chocolate, I love the caramel, and various others. wonderful with hot chocolate. Still on my list are meat pies and gelato. Can't wait! Kangaroo.... I won't do it! Saw Tahlia's roomie Julian eating it on thursday... nope cant eat it!

Well, I think thats all I've got for this Sunday night. Good Night!

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