A U.S. Marine helps a child off one of the refugee boats during the Mariel Boatlift in 1980.

Anniversary of the Mariel boatlift

It’s the anniversary of the Mariel boatlift. On a day like today, 20 May 1980, my family arrived in the United States. Between April and September 1980, 125,000 Cubans arrived in Florida from the port of El Mariel, in a dramatic boatlift that had long-standing repercussions for the United States and for Castro’s image. It …

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An open atlas with other books and a cup of tea. Expats and immigrants.

Expats and immigrants

Expats and immigrants. What’s the difference? Lately I’ve been reading expat blogs. That is, blogs by Americans living in Australia. I enjoy reading about their discoveries in Australia and learn from their experiences on moving and living there. I’ve been thinking about this word “expat”, what that means, and how that’s different from “immigrant”. My …

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Airplane wing in flight.

Coming home: flying Qantas

I have a confession: I didn’t really want to come home. Not yet anyway. I am glad to be home. I have a good relationship with my family and I enjoy spending time with them. I missed my coven and other friends. I like Melbourne and I loved being with there with my beau. Three months …

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My to-do attractions in Australia

I’ve been in Australia for nearly three months and I’ve seen a lot. I’ve seen many animals at the Melbourne Aquarium, Werribee Zoo, and Healesville Sanctuary. I’ve visited Federation Square, marvelled over the city from the Eureka Skydeck, and even went to a footy game. I’ve done lots of shopping and ridden almost all the rides at …

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Flinders Street Station. Melbourne tourist attractions.

Great Melbourne tourist attractions

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost three months and it’s time for me to go home next week. Melbourne is the fashion, arts, cultural, and sporting capital of Australia. To say there’s a lot to do is an understatement. Here are some great Melbourne tourist attractions for the first-time visitor. Tour the Central Business …

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Shopping bags. Shopping Melbourne.

10 great shopping spots in Melbourne

If you’re new to Melbourne and you’re not sure where to go shopping, you’re in luck. Melbourne offers heaps of great shopping. Here are 10 great shopping spots in Melbourne. Melbourne Central Melbourne Central is a large shopping centre, office, and public transport hub in the city. It has cinema, a free book exchange, and …

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