An Aussie in Florida

Spring break is a relatively new concept to me. I mean, I saw "Road Trip," and we all know how good Hollywood is at depicting real life. Just look at the realistic Aussie accents and stories that have graced both the big and small screens. \nSo given these preconceptions, I naturally wanted to experience spring break in all its glory. I needed to see some sun, and maybe a few big cities, and college students running riot in a week-long haze of beer and parties. I decided to head for spring break headquarters: Florida.\nWith the Aussie dollar dropping to an all-time low the week before, and the final Bursar bill to pay before I set off, this was going to be a low-budget vacation, so I agreed to embark on a road trip with four relative strangers. \nI can see all of you grinning at my ignorance now -- I just want to point out that I had no idea that it took 20 hours to get from Bloomington to Florida. I mean, that's how long it took for me to get here from Australia, and we had to fly across the Pacific. \nThat said, I set off for my first and only spring break with a box of half-eaten Frosted Flakes, a jar of Vegemite and $12.38. \nI should point out that this was to be my first time out of Indiana since I arrived here in January, so I was naturally excited by the prospect of a change of scenery. But after five hours of Oasis, I was starting to get a little irritated with our DJ, not to mention the close proximity of everyone else in the car. \nWe arrived late the next afternoon -- I don't think I've ever wanted to get somewhere so badly in all my life. But one look of the beach that awaited me and all was forgotten.\nWhen I packed for this trip to America, I knew that I was heading into the depths of a winter that I've never experienced before, so my bathing suit was not essential. \nSo I was going to make do with what I had and decided on a tank top and a pair of cotton boxers. I woke up the next day all excited and ready to head for the beach, only to discover a thunderstorm brewing and a tornado warning. But after traveling more than 16,000 miles to the States, not to mention my 20-hour sardine experience the day before, there was no way I was going to waste a day at the beach.\nWithout hesitation, I threw on my makeshift bathing suit, grabbed a boogie board and headed for the beach. We braved the rain, thunder and rapidly rising tides and ran into the water without a second thought. \nSure, it was cold, but I've just survived my first winter in the snow, and nothing could compare to that. Besides, it was impossible to ignore the surf that was breaking -- it was perfect for boogie boarding. We glided in and out of the surf and were having a great time, until lightning struck just centimeters in front of us, at which point we all promptly made our way out of the water and ran for our lives.\nThe days that followed were better; the sun was shining and we spent our days on the beach until we'd had enough of the sand and the saltwater and went to relax in the pool. At night, we'd hang out with our group, and make friends with the other spring breakers in the condo beside us, but there was still something missing. \nOn our final night we jumped in the car and headed to Panama City. I'd heard stories about it, but nothing prepares you for the reality of thousands of college students running around wild and naked at mass parties.\nI'd never heard of the Mardi Gras bead thing before I got here, and to this day I'm still grappling with the concept. Let me get this straight: Guys are so desperate to see girls flash their breasts that they'll stoop to tempting them with cheap, plastic jewelry that resembles the prizes I used to win on the clown game at the Melbourne Show when I was a kid?\nAmerican girls are obviously willing to make huge sacrifices in the name of having a good time. I soon came to realize why all of the people I told about my trip looked at me with a knowing grin, and that it definitely wasn't my scene.\nNow I'm a little more positive about the whole experience, and while I'm not likely to embrace spring break lifestyle any time soon, I know that my trip would not have been complete without it. My week ended quickly and before I knew it I was on my way back to Bloomington, ready to get back and enjoy my last 10 weeks in this country, knowing that I can check at least one thing off my "things to do in America" list.