Daggy

On to Adelaide. Advance press for the city wasn’t great. It had been described as a “sleepy” town in the sort of way you might describe an unattractive and socially awkward cousin as “nice,” “has a great personality,” or “not contagious.” In the months before I left, my brother was chatting online with someone from Australia and he mentioned that I would be living in Adelaide. There was apparently a long pause and the Aussie wrote … “Adelaide? Why?” That seems to sum up the country’s attitude towards the city; it’s a fine place to fly over but why on earth would you live there?! Too boring.

Upon arrival, we were almost immediately informed of its checkered past. Adelaide is apparently the ‘go to’ place for serial killers in this part of the world, as a quick Google search will give you the pithy nickname “Adelaide – City of Corpses.” Sort of wish I’d done that Google search earlier. Notably, Adelaide is also known as the City of Churches. I’m not saying there’s a connection there, I’m just stating facts. The Snowtown Serial Murders (aka the Barrel Murders) are a local favorite - as the name implies, these murders involved barrels, acid, and a social security fraud scheme. In another, the three Beaumont children were abducted, suspicions centering on a wealthy but eccentric young man. These murders were never solved (and are therefore almost certainly fodder for the next CSI Miami with the signature Caruso acting - sunglasses removed melodramatically and husky, terse dialogue given by profile. My next blog will probably be ihatecaruso, though it’s likely that name has already been used). Upon learning of the roster of murders, I found it hard to think of Adelaide as a “sleepy” town, unless you’re using sleepy in that Stephen King, Castle Rock kind of way.


Adelaide is also known for its parks





and Don Bradman


If you don't know the name Don Bradman, I feel nothing but pity for you because it means you haven't followed cricket religiously for the past century and therefore have absolutely no idea of a good way to spend 36 hours on a weekend (average game length) and probably think 'wicket' is the name of an Ewok. Suffice it to say that, after his death, they retired both his number and his name. It is now illegal to be named Don Bradman in Australia.

We rented a place in North Adelaide, which is apparently a good place to live. This is our little slice of home.





Neil, Amy’s host at Flinders, informed us that prior visitors have chosen to live at Glenelg beach, which is a “daggy” place. Daggy means shabby or untidy. However, it also refers to the dung that becomes embedded in the fur around the business end of a sheep. This is apparently an unfortunate situation both for the sheep and the farmer, who has to shave the “affected area” to prevent bowflies from setting up camp. Just thought you should know, since I intend to use daggy at every possible opportunity once I return home.

There are no visual aids for daggy. I encourage you to visit your local farmer if you have questions.