Deep Thoughts, by Jeremy Gaynor

So today is kind of a lazy day and a laundry day so I figured I would share some deep thoughts with everyone.

So what if I have worn the same outfit everyday since my arrival? I would rather be slightly less fresh than constantly unpacking and packing my bag in search of clean clothes. Plus, I would rather have the dirty clothes on my body than in my bag so as not to make the clean clothes any less clean. Clean clothes have feelings too you know.

Getting stung by a wasp in the southern hemisphere hurts just as much as being stung by one in the northern hemisphere.

Corona beer costs about $8-10 per bottle in Oceania. Subway $5 foot longs are $7 dollars here. A McDonald's 1/4 lb with cheese-fires-drink is $7. Not now, not ever are these sound financial investments.

There is no beer in AUS/NZL that is over 5% ABV. I know many of you are fans of good 'ol Miller Lite and the like, but every single beer tastes the same here. All a weak lager with very little taste. And I have yet to see a Fosters anywhere.

Aussies and kiwis are some of the nicest people you will ever meet until 1am when you are trying to sleep in a hostel and they are drunk off their rocker seemingly oblivious to the fact that Jeremy needs his REM sleep.

I love slang in these parts. You know how we somewhat unaffectionately refer to redheads in the states as 'Gingers?' Well in Australia they call them 'rangas,' which just happens to be short for 'orangutan.' The local zoo was even having a promotion for rangas to visit at a discounted price until sensitive rangas protested.  Of note, Ginger Beer is actually quite tasty.

I know cricket is popular in these parts, but any sport where the fielders can wear floppy hats and they take a 30min tea break between teams batting has to have its authenticity challenged.

Physically fit people need not apply to your local Lawn bowling (essentially bocce ball on astroturf) club. This sports best 'athletes' tip the scales over 250 lbs and their spouses apparently don't want to give them an image complex, so they are gigantic right along with these bread winning athletes. Can you believe they actually televise this as well?

Aldi, Lonestar Steakhouse, 7-11, McDonald's, Subway, Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Burger King all have found homes down here. Haven't eaten in one of them yet.

Making Pinot Noir is a painstaking process. So the next time you find yourself complaining about the cost of a good Pinot Noir, just know that a ton of effort goes into making those grapes just right more so than many other grape varietals.

If you think gas prices at home are bad, try driving here. About $2.30 per LITRE or around $9 bucks a gallon. Slightly less expensive in AUS vs NZL.

Whaddya know. My laundry is done. Time to put on the same outfit again. Cheers.