The school aspect of the trip picked up full force on the day of the 8th- just plain busy. I awoke with just enough time for a run across the famed story bridge which provided me with some lovely views of the Brisbane River and the surrounding apartments. It was much further than I had originally expected, so as per norm, I had to hustle back to the hotel. Of course, I opted for the scenic route along the quay, darting around businessmen dressed in pristine suits and avoided getting run over by avid cyclists as they honked their pee-wee horns at me. I got slightly lost along the way back (what else is new?) but made it in enough time to do some damage control and collect the massive pile of final modules (they had been shoved under my door- hello paper explosion) before starting the wrap-up lecture. Frantic grading ensued, perhaps my best record time ever since I wanted my blue group to have their modules for the final. All the sum-ups finally ended right as I finished my little grading project- perfect timing!
Then we went through the regular surveys and course evaluations which was interesting to hear the feedback from the other two groups. I will be as objective as possible without ranting, but it seemed like some were not coming to actually study abroad, but instead expected a grade only because they paid the program fee. That’s not how it works, folks. Grades require some work and learning (in most cases… I hope). Some of the comments I heard weren’t only disrespectful but honestly some I wish I could have on a tape recorder so the speakers could hear how absurd they sounded. Getting off my soapbox now….
I had high hopes of being able to attend the farmer’s market for a leisurely stroll through the booths, but instead I sacrificed my lunch hour to talk with professors about logistics. However, I was treated to a brisk walk around the marketplace; I was granted the task of turning in an order form for final dinner meals at Jo-Jo’s with a quick diversion. For future visits it’s held every Wednesday from 9-6pm just outside of the casino in front of Victoria Bridge. Also for future reference, bring a lot of cash- they have stalls for all sorts of local nuts, produce, cheeses, popcorn, chocolates, and, the best, GELATO. Not to mention they have all sorts of foods including baklava and other world dishes. Just incredible.
Legs burning, I returned to the Eagle Street Conference Center for the highlight of my day: administering the final. THREE HOURS in one room listening to the frantic flipping of pages as students rummaged though their notes (or in some cases a lack thereof). It did give me the chance to go through the photos I pilfered from Akshat which was nice and a bit nostalgic though the events only happened a mere day to week(s) prior to now.
Finally the exam was over and I literally had to hustle the last few students out of the room, shooing motions and everything. I had a little longer than I projected, but it was still hustle to get ready for dinner. Once properly outfitted in my one dress to my name, I headed over to Jo-Jo’s with my beloved biology crew. The meal was great but the company was better. It was jam-packed with lovely photos from LEI (one of which was an extreme close-up of my face- lovely), laughter until it hurt, and to top it all off, a slow clap entrance for the one and only B-O-B!
Jo-Jo’s has everything, from their vegas-rococo style to their varied cuisine. They served us salad, a main which was a pumpkin pizza for me (YUM) and dessert. For dessert I chose the mud cake which was more like a cake like brownie mooshed really tightly into a square. It would have been delightful paired with ice cream, but alone it was a struggle to fully appreciate. We wasted no time- upon the request of Bob, we all migrated back towards the hotel for the after party. It was a great time, nearly the entire blue group was there enjoying one another’s company with a few of the yellows and greens interspersed. After a little while chatting and reminiscing, a group of us headed to the Down Under bar where we chatted and met a few Aussies as well as some people from Israel staying at our hotel. Ready for a scenery change, we migrated to Victory which was CLOSED. Seriously?! Brisbane. What a tightwad.
The idea was thrown out that a number of us should head to… Hungry Jacks! For those non-oz people out there, it’s more or less burger king, but Australian style. Sorta. The important part is that they have ice cream for 50 cents and if you feel generous, it’s $1 for a chocolate dipped ice cream. Gold.
Their chocolate dipper was broken, much to K-Larsh’s dismay… but that didn’t deter me! K-Lacksen and I ended up heading back after the blue group company I was with thoroughly professed their loved for each other- myself included. I really don’t think it’s even humanly possible for next year’s crowd to come close to this year. They have one hell of a group to live up to.
We climbed, rather stumbled, our way up the 86 (I re counted) steps to the Astor which was a riot in itself. We found Bob and Anthony still hanging out in the hotel bar so we stopped and chatted a bit. Another crowd headed back out at that point, but I was done for the night. Sorta.
Recruiting the blue group stragglers that were still downstairs, I stopped on the 6th floor to say goodbye as a 5:30am send-off (mere hours away at this point) was just too much for my mind to handle. So, standing in the doorway of the elevator as it persistently reminded me that I was blocking it’s closing mechanism.. every few seconds.. I woefully told everyone there adieu and safe travels. A reunion is going to happen, I don’t care how hard we have to work to make it well… work. We will have one. Period. No ifs, ands or buts.
*knock* *knock* “Ehhhummmguuuaaagggghhhhh”. 8am. Sick. Christine was a lovely roomie and answered the door where she was welcomed by a cheerful Bob asking for the finals, ready to grade. Double sick.
I recovered from the initial “OMGee I only had about 5 hours of sleep” train of thought to head out for a run. I ran bridges, first the William Jolly Bridge, weaved around and then headed back over on another which I don’t know the name of- but it looks like God decided to throw out his wire coat hangers in the middle of the Brisbane river. It is really quite terrifying.
Upon my return, knowing what awaited me, I subconsciously took my sweet time. However, over the course of that hour or so that I spent getting mentally prepared for the grading, I noticed something. My legs itched… a lot. I pulled back my skirt only to reveal a series of mosquito-bite looking bumps... suspicious. After the first night’s stay in the Astor, a few of our students had been bitten by bed bugs… we assumed that they come on the student. Wrong-o. The entire 6th floor was infested, the 4th floor as well, and now my bed in the 11th. In a panic, I ran downstairs to show the offending blemishes to Bob who quickly diagnosed them as bed bug munchies. Terror. Panic. Breathe.
I booked it as fast as the bloody elevators would carry me up the levels of the hotel and immediately gathered all clothing that might possibly be considered to carry the bloodthirsty beasts. The reception surprisingly washed them for me without a detrimental blow to my bank account. Really the Astor Metropole is probably one of the worst, if not THE worst, place that I have ever stayed. The staff is simply snobbish, rude, inconsiderate and inhospitable. The rooms were infested and the haughty exterminator refused to acknowledge the fact that it needed to be addressed, but instead recited his resume to us several times. Lovely.
Once the panic subsided, grading. This continued with the exception of a midday break and several room visits until midnight. Barf-tastic.
For lunch, Christine and I went down the hill to the street just before Queen, Adelaide I believe, to a little sushi restaurant just past the starbucks. They had all sorts of rolls to buy- I opted for salmon and avo, California, king fish (which tasted like pure butter) and tuna. I don’t know if I will ever be able to eat sushi in the states ever again after that experience… nothing can even come close to comparison of the awesomeness. NOTHING. Needless to say that was both lunch and dinner. We wandered a little bit further to Michel’s patisserie where I got a meltaway (shortbread and icing) as well as a mini-lemon meringue pie. YUM!
Leaving for Auckland in the morning!
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