Best Discovery Yet

Aside from learning that Australians call cilantro by a different name (coriander), and that they have said coriander in the marketplace, I made the best discovery yet yesterday.  My Aussie and I had a leisurely weekend of hosting a BBQ on Saturday and then attending one on Sunday.  We did a little shopping for Christmas gifts in the Paddington markets (similar to a large outdoor mid-to-upscale flea market).  He bought a new suit at Oxford, we did a little grocery shopping, and then decided to mark a few things off my crucial "new to Australia" checklist.

I really need a new phone with an Australian number, a new checking account (thankfully linked to my Aussie's as I have no job yet), and most importantly, a new hair dryer and curling iron.  So we did a little research online for hair dryers and curling irons and all the ones I found are professional grade and averaging around $140.00 each.  Ridiculous and unaccpetable.  So my Aussie suggests we check out a few stores at a nearby mall.

After a short 10 minute drive, we round the corner to the mall and LO AND BEHOLD, THE MOST AMAZING VISION GREETS MY TEAR-MISTED AMERICAN EYES!!!!! Not only do I see a K-MART, but also a TARGET!!!!  That's right, folks.  America ain't so far away after all...

You have no idea how glorious it was to see those signs.  It was like a little slice of home.  And a major slice of savings. I found the hair dryer, the curling iron, wash cloths, and 40 clothes hangers for around $90 total.  They carry all the American labels too so when my Aussie and I do finally get our own place, we will be able to afford stylish decor, dishes, linens, everything for our new pad.  This might not seem like a big deal, but I assure you it is.  Bigger than discovering cilantro does exist here, albeit under a different name.  I'll have to write about that discovery another time...