Week4/5: Surf Camp and Espresso Machines

Last weekend, 87 students embarked on a two-hour ride south of Sydney to the Seven Mile Beach for an epic weekend at Surf Camp. This is their story.... Saturday morning was a rough 7am wake up call as we trudged to the beach in the cold rain, but once we start paddling out and catching our first waves, it was SO WORTH IT! In our morning lesson, most of us managed to get up only once or twince. By the afternoon lesson though, the rain cleared out and I was getting up almost every ride. Even though I was on a humungous foam beginners board, I'd say I was definitely shredding the knar. So ya, I do autographs, thanks for asking...

Being at surf camp really brought me back to childhood days - bunk bed cabins, long picnic tables, no shoes, and Uno. I loved every second of it. There's just something about eating crappy camp food and walking around barefoot all day that feels so right. After our day's lessons too, we all huddled around to watch the videos/slideshow pictures of our surfing "accomplishments" - hysterical. Our awkward stances and goofy smiles were just the right mix of pathetic and entertaining... twas a perfect weekend.

On Monday, I decided to combat exhaustion with caffeine at a 3-hour barista basics class. Since Australians only drink espresso-based drinks, the whole class was seperated into pairs and assigned an espresso machine. My teammate was a Sydney local taking time off from work before trying to get back in the job market (I have to say, Australians have an incredible love for travel and vacations - so admirable). Her best drink was defintely cappucino, YUM! Mine was the babycino... so easy, so simple, so delicious. It's not even coffee actually, just milk foam with chocolate sprinkled on top. It's means for kids who come to the coffee shop with their parents but want a treat too, but clearly sells well to tall American girls who like chocolate and miniature-sized anythings.

 

 The rest of my week was spent mostly at the gym and writing my paper for my Sporting Traditions class. Even though the paper sucked, our field trip to Olympic Park and the Aquatic Centre there were so fun. We toured the Sydney Olympic grounds and spent a few hours in the kiddie area by the historic Olympic pool racing eachother down the water slides. Such an insightful and rewarding field trip, if I do say so myself.