Coming to America for Real!

What if Crocodile Dundee really came to America? What would it be like? What kind of questions would you ask of him? Would he find the day-to-day living that much different? There is just something about that aussie accent.

I would like to share the story of a special man that I have had the pleasure of knowing for a year and a half. This story gives a glimpse into life in Australia as a kid. He may not be Crocodile Dundee but in my eyes, he is the one and only aussie guy. Mr. Ray C, the man in the photo with me above this article. He is an aussie male living and working in the United States.

He was born in Malta and his parents moved to Blacktown, which is a suburb of Sydney Australia when he was 1 year old. He was the only son of Kate and Vince who had six daughters as well. Imagine growing up in a household of sisters. He does not see anything wrong with it, and still talks to all the sisters and his mom on a monthly basis.

Young Ray spent his childhood growing up going to a catholic school, and learning about his world. His playground was his neighborhood and the town, as he grew older. That is not much different then my own childhood, except for the different locations. He watched television and played with toys like I did, but they were different shows and different toys.

He watched his father work endlessly providing for his large family and this is where young Ray would learn his work ethics. He used to help around the home as much as his sisters did as a child, and I know first hand all the household chores there are with a large family. Ray learned early to pitch in and do whatever was needed, no matter the time.

They eat cheeseburgers as we American's do but their dressed burgers include a fried egg, a slice of beet and a slice of pineapple. I think I will just stick with our toppings.

Ray says that the restaurants there are not limited to preset weights of food, the shopkeeper's just kind of eyeball it. That would be nice with homemade fries covered in cheese, yummy, that sounds great about now.