Aussie Sunday Lunch :)

On Sunday, the internationals had a chance to be hosted for lunch by some local residents in Lismore. We were paired up and placed with an Aussie couple or family for the day, and got to enjoy the company of people outside of the university. I was paired up with Heather and we were introduced to the Whitney’s, a 60-something year old retired couple who couldn’t have been more hospitable (and adorable.) Maria Whitney picked us up and drove us (in her manual car) to the hills of Lismore where there lived. She told us how they’ve lived in the neighborhood in the same house for 30 years and couldn’t image being anywhere else. I could see why. They were towards the top of the rolling hills and the view from their house was impeccable. The house itself though was down a short, very steep hill that we had trouble getting up on the return home. When we arrived, about fifteen minutes away from campus, she said “Hope you don’t mind hanging with a bunch of oldies like myself! My sons and daughter are in Uni in Canberra so they couldn’t make it this time.” We walked through their modern yet quaint home to the balcony where there were eight other “old folks” sitting around their patio table. We all introduced ourselves and sat down while they kept chatting about the topic they were already on, which was movies. Movies they’ve recently seen, what us “youngins” are watching these days, operas they’ve attended at the Opera House and which ones shows were painfully boring. They were all around that age that they keep mentioning how old they are and how pretty soon they won’t be able to do this and that, but I saw them as all very vibrant, energetic and youthful. 

Their view of Lismore from the balcony 

One of the most precious things I have seen in a while happened during the lunch. Each of them had a calendar notebook out and planned an activity to do each month for the entire year! They asked us for some ideas as if we knew the area better than them, and it turns out we’ve already done some things that most locals have always wanted to do! For April, they are doing a walk from Lennex to Byron which would take a full day, then they will stop at one of their favorite cafes for lunch. Every month is accounted for up until next March. They told us that it is what keeps them going and gets them excited about yet another year progressing. It was second nature to them to be able to plan that far in advance. How couldn’t you make time each month to be in the company of your favorite people, do your favorite things and find adventure in new places? Next year they are planning a trip to America, starting in California, heading to Vegas for a few nights (what a sight THAT would be!), and ending up for winter in New York. It’s their dream come true to see the ball drop on New Years Even in NY. We talked over appetizers, consisting of different types of cheese and biscuits (crackers), roasted macadamia nuts and pretzels. I was curious as to the substance in the middle of the cheese platter which looked like a bean dip. Of course, I dipped my cracker into it and took a hearty bite. My taste buds didn’t react the way I had expected and I asked what I was eating. “It is pate.”   Okay, so that’s liver. Interesting.   “It’s goose liver.”   A new experience.  Instead of rejecting the offer, I took a bite of the other kind of pate on the table of which I did not ask what animal it belonged to. That one wasn’t as pungent, yet looked like a pile of gray tuna mixed with a slimy exterior. From then on, I stuck to the cheese wheel which was delicious.  Marie offered us juice or wine and we had a glass of wine (it was pink and inviting unlike the pate), and enjoyed that over conversation. We talked about how Lismore is mostly an area of retirement, so the views are mainly conservative, but there has been an influx of younger students (mostly Liberal) from the University. This creates some controversy in terms of the town’s entertainment, night life, and religious/political views. They said it helps that some people from Nimbin migrate to Lismore so they don’t really care what at all happens considering they are still stuck in the 60’s as are their minds and physical state. 

     We sat outside the whole time, enjoying lunch which consisted of bbq chicken, steak and sausages (still no hot dog buns to be seen since I left the US), a cold cous cous curry salad with prawns, a green salad with homemade dressing and homemade biscuits (real biscuits, not crackers). The conversation was light and easy, as we were treated like one of the adults, not the company that needed to be interviewed. They only asked a few questions about what we were studying, about our families, and where we have traveled so far. They were amazed at all the things we have done so far, and told us how their kids LIVE in Australia and haven’t’ even done half the things we have. It was so interesting to have Australians ask us our opinion on what it’s like to climb the Harbour Bridge or go to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary or the markets in Byron Bay on Sunday. Instead of how I usually view political talk  (dry, useless, contradictory, condescending), I was able to see it in an entirely different light during this lunch. I think it’s because in Australia it seems like the citizens are never against each other because of political viewpoints, they just talk about what they do and don’t like about the person in office. That seems to make a lot more sense to me. Also, the eldest lady there recalls Australia feeling more heavily under British rule, and now it seems to be

not be influenced by it at all until you look at a 

few of Australia’s federal laws. 

We talked about health care and I spoke up about how ridiculous emergency bills are and one of their husband was just in the ER for chest pains and he had x rays done, lots of blood work, and medication all for under $50. I told them to add a few zeros and that would be the American experience. Also, I learned a lot more about HEX, which is the government’s supply of money for university students. They are given thousands of dollars every year (and usually don’t have to pay a cent for classes, books, groceries, utilities, moving costs due to college, transportation, etc) in the years they are at Uni. When they start making over $35,000 a year at their job, then the government starts to take out bits of their paycheck.  They think it is insane that we paid what we did to study abroad in Lismore, considering their kids get to study in America for a year for free. I just have to keep reminding myself that they have to pay a lot more for the everyday essentials like food, petro (yes, it’s a petro station not a gas station here), and clothes.  One of the lady owns a macademia nut farm and I asked if we could go help pick the nuts one weekend and she was thrilled. That will be coming up shortly I hope! She said it’s actually hard work and to wear clothes that you aren’t afraid to get dirty. (I don’t think she knows how I’m the one to always seem to FIND dirt and end up being covered in it.)  

Pavlova and Macadamia Nut Pie

Dessert was out of this world incredible. I had (of course BOTH) delicious pavola with raspberries and homemade whipped cream on top and a slice of caramel and macadamia nut pie. I found out what Heaven feels like. Over coffee and tea-with real sugar cubes, they asked me what I would make them if I came over. I went with the Greek theme. Spanikopetas for an appetizer, leek soup, corn fritters (because I just learned how to make them at a healthy-cooking class on campus), pastisio for the main dish, and baklava (if my dad were there to help make it). They then proceeded to ask me to come over every weekend for lunch ;)

They mentioned that we were a LOT easier to converse with compared to the four Chinese girls that didn’t really speak English that they hosted last year. We exchanged emails and will be seeing them again soon as well as for a church service on Easter.

The Whitney's dog they rescued 10 years ago

I am so glad I signed up for this because I came back feeling so at peace. How wonderful that there are people that genuinely want to open their home, their bbq, and share their company with a couple of strangers. By the end, it felt like we fit right in and had been going to these lunches for years. SO grateful.