Footie (aka Australian Rules Football)

Richmond Tigers vs West Coast Eagles at the MCG,
originally uploaded by bernd ploderer.

Footie seems to be the national sport here in Victoria. Some might say that it is Cricket, but that's boring (sorry to my Australian friends for that statement, give me a few more years, maybe I change my opionion :) Footie to me seems like a combination of Rugby and American Football. Compared to American Football it's much more action (there are hardly any breaks) and no protective clothing.

My first live Footie game was Richmond Tigers vs West Coast Eagles last Saturday. The game took place in the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). It's huge (as you can see on the picture), when sold out there are about 95,000 people inside. That wasn't the case last Saturday but nevertheless it was loud and a great experience. Daniel and I supported the Tigers, but they had no chance. We were even more concerned with getting to understand the rules and getting enough beer - it was a gorgeous afternoon (and a funny evening :)

Thanks to Daniel for the pics & the great time I could spend with you in Melbourne - Dankeschön!

BBQ

What are Aussies doing on Sunday afternoons - BBQs, right. I've been to BBQs the last two weekends and I learned that it is the best way to spend the Sunday afternoon when you have a slight hang-over. Just relax in the sun, have a beer and enjoy the food.
For those who seek relaxed activity I can recomment lawnball. I haven't heard of it before, but it can be easily described. It is similar to boccia: Everyone has a ball and the goal is to come closest to a ball in a distance. However instead of throwing the ball, you roll it on the lawn. Sounds simple so far, but the trick is that the ball has different weights on each side. Thus it makes a curve when it rolls. The main challenge thus is to estimate the distance and the curve it makes.
I hope I didn't confuse you with my description. You can see some pictures taken by Tom, a volleyball colleague, and his friends at his birthday party last weekend.

PS: I forgot to mention that similar to Boccia, it is mainly played by elderly. However I can't understand why, because it's really cool.

Easter 2007

Easter Bunny,
originally uploaded by bernd ploderer.

I spent Easter Sunday and Easter Monday on gorgeous beaches on Phillip Island and on Mornington Peninsula. It's not exactly as good as celebrating Easter at home with the family, but thanks to Daniel and Christine it was a great weekend too.

Good Friday on Brunswick St.

Good Friday on Brunswick St.,
originally uploaded by bernd ploderer.

I wanted to spend the day in my flat writing the newsletter for you guys. However it's such a wonderful day so Daniel asked me to join him on his way to St. Kilda Beach. Since we didn't want to go back to the office after that we decided to take our notebooks with us and to look for a place in a Cafe on Brunswick St. That's how I celebrate my first Good Friday (Karfreitag) in Melbourne :)

thx

I justed wanted to show a friend that Rafiki stands on the desktop in my apartment. Hopefully he helps me to find my way here in Melbourne, like so many friends who helped me to make it to where I am now. In this way this picture stands for a big THANKS to all of you who encouraged me, actively helped me with my application and supported me with this move. I couldn't have done it without you.