Perth

We were greeted by 2 lovely women when we arrived at the airport Steely Neil and Karmen Adairya of Western Australia Roller Derby. They both had the most lovely smiles but Karmen had the biggest smile either of us had ever seen. We quickly gathered our bags and headed for the car. Karmen briskly drove us from the airport to the house we were to stay at. Along the way we all laughed and noticed a distinct smell of something green. Karmen swears her car farted the unnameable scent. Apparently it not the first time her car has unexpectedly passed gas for guests.

We arrived at Mother Thumper and Todd's house. Mother Thumper is from the states, the Denver Colorado area. To Mel's surprise she had already met Mother Thumper from the Castle Rock n' Rollers Derby League where she had previously coached a boot camp in 2010. Thumper had moved to Perth with her husband, Todd, who got a job in the mining industry in Perth. Apparently the mining industry is booming with tons of people being imported in to work. A whole new generation of immigrants are arriving to work in this industry. Mother Thumper and Todd were incredibly welcoming to us and luckily they gave us our own air conditioned room where we could escape the scorching heat of Perth.

The very next day we had an interview and photo shoot with the local paper The West Australian. This defiantly made us feel like rock stars. The photo shoot its self was humorous because there we were skating down a bridge towards the photographer when he asked us to "stand up and spoon". We skated to the top of the bridge discussing under our breath the possibility that "spooning" must have meant something totally different in Australia. (We have asked several people since the remark was made and the consensus is that spooning = cuddling) Obviously unable to meet his demand, we came up with our own pose. The Movie showing was at an old hall in Fremantel. It was a lovely building and a full audience.

The days of the boot camp were the hottest days ever skated. 40 C or 104 F. The venue had no air conditioning and very little breeze. The venue was packed with excited skaters already dripping in sweat. We had to make sure that everyone was drinking lots of water and taking lots of breaks. These girls pushed hard even through the tough heat. It was impressive. Two days of gruelling heat with Scratcher and Mel yelling at you sounds pretty fun doesn't it?

At the boot camp were skaters from 3 different leagues: the hosting league WARD hosting league, Perth though only one of there members attended, and Bunbury. The Bunbury girls are from a small mining town 6hrs out side of Perth. They drove in just for the camp and there picture of us with them made it to the front page of their local paper.

The Monday following the clinics we were taken around town touring with Juicy and Tae. The first stop was getting hair cuts. Then the took us out for coffee and churros in a cute area of Perth before heading to the beach. Here we played the rest of the day in bath water warm waves at Scarborough Beach. The undertow was strong enough to warrant several lifeguards, the sharks enough of a threat to warrant a helicopter and plane lookout, but so much fun. We spent the rest of the evening drinking beers with the crew at Carmen and Steeley's. We enjoyed our selves so much we refused to leave and slept on the couch.

When we woke the next morning Karmen took us on an adventure. We went to pick up her mom for the day and on the way we saw our first Kangaroo's. They were on the side of the road next to the local TV station, quickly followed by delicious Dim Sum. Then for the best part of Perth: Shaun Tan. Shaun Tan is an artist from Perth . The local puppetry theater Spare Parts http://www.sppt.asn.au/ did a show based on his book "The Arrival." There were no words and only beautiful puppetry and projections to show the immigrant experience in Australia. To our shock, a theater filled with kids it was completely silent. The show it brought tears to our eyes.

We followed up the show with a beer from a local pub. This pub and multiple Rogue and Lauganitis posters adorning its walls and reminding us of home. The brewery had 'The Judge" also known as a hopinator. It's a large cylindrical installation near the taps that allowed a selected brew to run through fresh chilies as it's poured into your pint glass!! We passed on the chilies but loved the idea.

The following day we decided our mission was to conquer the public transit system. We rose the bus from the Perth Zoo that was across the street from us to the train station down town. We then rode into Freemantle and hit up a few 'Op Shops' (the aussie word for a thrift store) where Mel found a dress suitable for the evening to follow out on the town. We then ate at the Monk Brewery enjoying tapas and finely crafted beer. We realised a few minutes too late that our train was departing within minutes and we were still about 10 blocks away from the station. We tossed money down on the table and ran, and ran, and ran...it was 104 degrees and we were several beers in, running through the streets. Long story short: we caught that damn train!

We disembarked in Cotteslough and walked another half-mile to the most well deserved, and refreshing swim ever experienced. The water was perfect, the waves were perfect, and we were running late already so we had to huff it back to the train. The trip back into the city was intense, we now found ourselves in the peak of commuting rushing to get home in time to put our gear on and attend WARD's practice....ironically in Freemantle. Karmen had arrived at Thumper's just as we walked up the street, no rest for the weary! Time to get our stuff together and skate, not coach but just skate! The Ward practice was warm, inviting, and challenging.

What follows practice better than a night out on the town dancing? Nothing. We went to Perth's premeir gay night club 'The Court' and danced the night away. Well at least part of it. We were home by 1 and very tired...and we still had to look forward to the next day: Australia Day.

USA has the 4th of July, Australians have January 26th and it is called Australia day. Its bogan as fuck.  We met at the park for a sausage sizzle.  Tae had brought sombreros from the costume shop she worked at so everyone could look Australian.

After the park we headed to a house with a pool where we swam and drank beer for the rest of the day.  At sunset the fireworks began and we left the pool for the top deck to watch.  It was the largest fireworks display either of us had ever seen.  The best part about the fireworks was the lightening storm that seemed to be in unison with the display.  Large bolts of lightening intermixed with brilliant colour explosions.  Gorgeous. 

The very next morning we left for Adelaide.