It was election day. I had just updated the GC and was off to Coles to inspect the quality of their mushrooms. It was 7pm.

Coles was closed.

Luckily, there are three similar stores in Surfers Paradise. I set off to IGA.

IGA was closed.

An unhealthy pattern was taking shape. I set off to Woolworths.

Woolworths was closed.

It looked like the mushrooms would get off easy this night.

As I walked back to the apartment, it started to rain. It began mildly, but soon grew frustrated — it became insistent. I continued to ignore it, and its frustration turned to anger. It was like walking beneath the massive head of a high-powered shower. It was amazing. No part of my clothing nor myself remained dry by the time I reached the apartment.

The security guard looked at me questioningly. To him, I said simply the words: “It’s raining.”

I thought that summed it up.

More things I’ve learned about Australia:

• Coke comes in 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 2 litres.
• The two litre coke’s bottle is made of sturdier plastic than the Canadian equivalent.
• Also, you can get glass bottles of coke, in at least two different sizes.