Hobart Welcomes Us: Day 6

Reporting from Hobart, Tasmania.

I must start by stating that I will be switching to writing my blogs in the morning. I will discuss what happened the day before as well as what the plans are for the current day.

After we landed in Hobart we were immediately asked if we needed a shuttle to our hotel. Did not even have to ask. Went to the Pickled Frog (http://www.thepickledfrog.com/) where we are staying. It's an older hostel. After checking in we headed to the downtown area which is about two blocks from the frog. This place is bad cold but very friendly. It's cheaper too. We went down to one of the pubs right down the street and had a 250g T-bone with a salad and chips (fries) for $10 bucks. You can't get that in the States.

While at the pub we met a local named Steve. Steve overheard us talking and asked where we were from. He told us that he spent about 15 years in the states as a carpenter/builder for the Wal-mart corporation. I knew he was legit when he could tell me street names in Jackson, MS. He told us about his travels and then it began the Australian versus US comparison.

While we talked about everything from politics to food, Nathan and I found out answers to many of our questions.

1. Aussies are terrified of firearms (they think we are crazy for arming up)

He elaborated that it is too late for the firearm issue though for us, because if guns were outlawed the good of society would be without arms against the evils of society. Therefore we are stuck with the second amendment forever.

2. Aussies think we are tough on Welfare

He informed us that most of the world thinks our welfare system is almost too tough. Here they support generation after generation without complaints. They're school of thought is that of, why have homeless and hungry begging and killing on the street when you can just bite the bullet and feed them and home them. The difference is that they don't have guns so that when people are on welfare they don't have a chance to kill.

3. America has amazing customer service

He told us that it is an approach based off of our companies that send out coupons. There is no such thing here in the Oz. If you don't shop at a certain grocery store, they don't care. People are going to get paid minimum wage (18.00) no matter what.

I'll elaborate more when I get back.

I've gotta head to the Uni.

Cheers mates

Shane