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It is now clear to me that my long sit downs at the internet for 0.2$ an hour at the far east will not be continued through out my Australian journey as internet costs here reach 4-5$ per hour. So, it will usually be brief, if any.

Everything is so different here that I sometimes feel like I’m about to lose it. I’ve just read an email from one of my fellow world traveler who warned me of a culture shock by her own experience and I totally agree. It’s everything and everywhere, starting with the breathable air and the weather through appearances and money issues to the cultural differences.
I also remember another fellow traveler warning me 2 months ago about …

After an amazing flight with Phillipines Airlines and although the long 6 hour wait at Manila, I arrived at the Melbourne airport. “Hey, are you by any chance Israeli?” was the unexpected question I got. To make a long story short - The unbelievable has happened. I met an Israeli girl at the airport who has introduced me to her local family - The Felman. They are extremely nice and hospitable and have offered me a stay for the night. We just came back from a lovely family dinner… Melbourne looks lovely though the weather is somewhat colder than I’m used to.

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I’m heading to Melbourne-Australia, where I’ll be teaming up with my dad for a few weeks. That’s going to be different!

Anyways, I have no idea how the internet thingy works there. The blog might go on as usual and it might be a while till I write again.

Bye for now…

. Categories :b-australia

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Oh yeah, it’s here. Just got my passport back with the Aussie VISA. 6 months for an entry, multiple entries possible for a year. Halleluya.

Next week - Australia!

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Categories :b-australia

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Oh, shit. What’s going to happen now? Was this the right thing to do? Inside, I struggle. Making my last round of goodbyes I look at the faces of the people I’ve got to know so well and feel confused. Am I sad? Maybe glad? What do I feel thinking that I won’t be coming here tomorrow. After 6 years and a one month, after giving my best years to this place, I don’t know anything else. What’s it like not to come to work everyday? What’s it like not to have huge responsibilities – projects to run, meetings to attend, phone calls to make, asses to kiss, political wars to fight.
I’m tired, really tired. It took me a long …

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I’ve found this interesting article about the “Cost of living” in different cities around the world. I know that Saigon is expensive, and so is Hanoi, but it was interesting to find them at the top of the list ranking #29 and #36. Even more amusing was the city to be exactly in between them ranking #33, while far behind - at #67 is where I’m headed to.

http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/11/pf/costofliving/

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A later addition - if I already mentioned lists, seeing them open in internet cafes and taking a look, then here is another one I saw this morning :

Top 100 Asia Pacific Universities - http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005_TopAsia.htm
notice rank #6 (Really?! Whaoo…)

Top 500 World Universities (1-100) - http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2005/ARWU2005_Top100.htm
notice rank #78 (Not too bad, …