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Glass and steel: Roof of the Paris train station Gare de l'Est

Claudia in Europe. Just like last year, a conference is bringing Claudia back to Europe again. While London was her primary destination in 2004, this time it's Paris. Claudia knows this city like the pockets of her pants since she was a Paris tourist guide during her studies, and her MBA lessons were held here as well. Therefore, it comes as a surprise that soon after her arrival she feels like at home in Sydney: After having just arrived, she goes for a short stroll to stretch her limbs — two minutes from her hotel, some wallabies are crossing her way. They belong to a small zoo in the Jardin des Plantes adjacent to Claudia's hotel. Next, her walk brings Claudia to the river Seine where right at this time a kayak race takes place!

Claudia gives her best to find some time amidst the tight conference schedule to follow the trails of her "former life". This and the conference itself make time fly through. Even more diverting is her following stay in Germany where she takes some leave days. Visiting friends and family, she wishes she could stay longer. But duty is calling and some scientific contacts want to be visited. Furthermore, her parents' basement, where we had stored some of our belongings a long while ago, needs to be cleared now. Claudia is packing boxes with "personal effects" and ships them to Australia. And a few days later she herself is on her way back home as well where she is being awaited eagerly because ... — now, this little secret will be disclosed next month :-)

A rugby match leaves its footprints

Go, Tigers, go! Isn't it amazing what you are willing to do in order to become a real (dinky-di) Aussie? We have even learnt the Rugby rules by heart! Which is good, as in 2005 the team from Sydney's Inner West dubbed the Tigers surprisingly make it into the National Rugby League Grand Final. The Inner West, that is first and foremost "our" suburb Balmain. The suburb dresses up for the event: The main street Darling Street is dotted with black, white and orange paws on the pavements. Shops that don't display at least one Tiger-shirt or similar merchandise in their windows risk to lose their customers. Even dogs in Tiger-shirts are being spotted, not to mention the Tiger make-up on kids' faces.

On the night of the big final (which actually takes place early in October and hence should have gone into next month's report) the streets are deserted like during soccer finals in Germany. In sharp contrast, the pubs are "chock-a-bloc" with people who came to watch the final on the Big Screen. Peter experiences the cheerful crowds when the Tigers win 30 to 16 over the North Queensland Cowboys. We assume that the players — measured on the cheering and the car horns blown — just got much closer to become "preferred citizens".

No, not an Aussie-Sheila! Irina shows off her German Dirndl.

Oktoberfest. Each and every single one of you knows the image that in foreign countries is painted of Germany: Germans eat Sauerkraut (i.e., cabbage), wear leather pants and like to listen to Humpa-music. Late in September this picture is being refreshed again. Like the big idol in Munich, Sydney celebrates Oktoberfest! Peter and the "Brownys" Irina and Matthias, Maya and Max head off to the marquee. Matthias had made Irina wear her Dirndl before. On the way, she wouldn't believe anyone else would dress in this traditional garment, and teases Matthias heaps. Far from reality! In the marquee Dirndl and leather pants, traditional apron and Gamsbart hat are being shown off. Under the t-shirts showing the German State Eagle, barrel-like tummies cannot be hidden though. The enthusiasm of the organizing club Concordia shall not be diminished here, but we find ourselves a little uneasy, looking around to the left and to the right in the marquee, as if we wanted to state: "No, not all Germans are like this!" In any case, the pig leg, Kasseler and beer taste beautiful. And after three years, we feel well entitled to delve into this artificial world...

Schwänzchen in die Höh'

Hervey Bay Weekend. In 2005 Hervey Bay airport at Queensland's Fraser Coast gets refurbished. The big airlines like Virgin Blue and Jetstar, a Qantas subsidiary, establish new city connections and penetrate the market with discount airfares. We are early enough to secure seats for the two of us. For after our Fraser Island Trip in September 2004 we are eager to spot whales from the platform of a whale watching cruise ship. And we don't get disappointed, see photo. At the Fraser coastline which is approx. 1,000 kilometres north of Sydney, the water temperature is already noticeably warmer than at home. Hence, in addition to the giants of the ocean, there are swimming in the ocean, long walks on the beaches, and a visit to the Bundaberg rum distillery on the agenda of a relaxed long weekend. More photos in our photo gallery Hervey Bay Weekend