Deciding to make a day of it we set of a bit after 10am, arriving in the city around noon (had to make a couple stops and missed an exit so it took a bit longer than usual...). Our first stop was an outlet mall right near the airport. Kieran had thought it would be nice to do a little bit of shopping before the game and while it was fun, "a little bit" turned into around 4 1/2 hours. The place was HUGE and by the time we went through the first half, stopped in the food court for lunch, and went through the second half to get back to the car we had already taken up quite a bit of time. We had a good time and found a few good deals.
As we were leaving we discussed our next stop and decided on bowling. There was a bowling alley a short walk from where we planned to park for the game so it seemed like a good plan... until we got there and they told us it would be $18 per person per game. Yikes. We didn't want to bowl quite that badly. Right across the way from the bowling alley was one of our favorite burger places so we ended up enjoying a couple drinks and some burgers there to eat up the rest of the time before we went to the stadium.
A short walk and a free bus later we were at Suncorp Stadium! There weren't many others there yet since we were over an hour early but we went up to our seats and got settled in.
The stadium continued to fill more and more until pretty much all but the uppermost sections were filled. By then it was time for the pre-game of both teams being announced, lining up, and the playing of both the French and Australian National Anthems more formally.
Then the game was underway! The rules were a bit different than those of the State of Origin (which is Rugby League, not Rugby Union, two different things I've learned) so Kieran and Simon were explaining things to Lovisa and I throughout the game. After watching this game I do prefer the rules for Rugby Union, it keeps it more continuous and it's a bit easier to follow. Australia ended up winning 53-20 which is quite a large margin of victory.
It was a lot of fun to go to the game and both learn more about the sport and compare the atmosphere to what I've experienced at MLB/NFL games. I'd sum up the difference as Aussies just being much more "chill" at the game (so essentially just like they are for most other things). Although there was plenty of cheering when big plays happened it calmed down quickly and there wasn't much other noise besides then. No chanting or announcements or anything going on between exciting plays, just the babble of conversation and the occasional substitution announcement. A bit of a different atmosphere.
One big thing I realized at this game was that I've probably learned just as much about the US since I've been here as I have about Australia. There are so many things that we do a certain way in the States that I was assuming was done the same way elsewhere that aren't done that same way and the way the rest of the world views America is very interesting.
Three weeks from today I'll be on my way home! Still lots to do and see (and exams to study for - ahh!).
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