Origins
One of my favourite aspects about London is its multi cultural character. I loved to feel so many different cultures and origins all coming together. So when I came to Sydney I didn't expect to find such diversity. Still, after my first day on the streets, I immediately understood Sydney shared that global gathering appeal.
Australia has 20 million people. That's about 2,5 people per Km2. As a rough guide, Portugal has 10 million, about 115 people per Km2. A density 46 times larger! Australia is a huge country, with a small population, and therefore immigration is encouraged by the government. The greatest source is naturally Asia. Half the people in Sydney come from China, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, etc. Its a dominant sub culture, and half of the city centre is dedicated to a Chinatown 3 times the size of the London one.
Interacting with asians has been one of my favourite experiences. The food, the karaoke and the numerous useless attempts to identify where they come from. Guys, they all bloody look the same to me! (Jackie Chan...) But they're a great bunch! Last week I went for dinner with my football team, comprised of 5 chinese, 1 greek (oh dear) and 1 portuguese. One of the chinese went for this 4 Kg bowl of noodles. Tradition says if you finish it inside 30 min, its free. My friend made an impressive effort, and with 5 minutes and 2 Kg to go, threw up in the bowl. Game over. Good attempt.
The other fascinating thing about asians here, is how they change their names to "western names". Instead of a Fan Wang Wuok, you get a Tommy Wuok. Iao Ching becomes Ken Ching. Its brilliant! Apparently during high school, they all choose a name they like/identify/feel inspired by and that's it! My favourite is still my workmate David Fok. But in his case, its not the westerner name I find amusing!.... Fok?! What the Fok?? Then I started to think, hang on! Why not do the same? Deng Hua Sousa. Tanaka Miguel Fujimoto. A sea of possibilities!
Besides asians, I can identify many islanders from New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and other islands in the pacific. I always feel like tackling them. They have RUGBY written all over their massive bodies. There's a few europeans and indians, and serious social tensions with the australian born lebanese, who seem to have a natural tendency for violence and total social disregard. That does not apply to hard working lebanese born people, who arrive in search for a better life.
Last, but by no way in hell least... the brazilian. I've reached a point where I seriously wonder if this applies as invasion. Brazil took it from portuguese and decided to create a colony! Australia! They are totally bloody fucking everywhere!!! I hear portuguese on every bus, on my gym, on my pool, on my office, in the cinema, fucking hell, even in my thoughts! :) Bondi beach speaks more portuguese than english, and going to the beach itself feels like Copacabana all over again. (Apart from the water, that is.) What amuses me about them is how they can never understand what I say. Who can blame them. I'm speking freaky portuguese, how could they understand?! Morons...
