This week our Hawks SBL imports Kassi Conditt and Bryton Hobbs head back to their hometowns in the USA – Kassi to Portland and Bryton to St Louis. We thought we would ask Kassi & Bryton a few things about their 6 months in ‘the land down under’.

Kassi:

Weather: When I was heading to Australia I thought the weather would be so much hotter than it was. I packed heaps of tank tops/shorts and no sweaters or scarfs. I soon realised I needed to “upgrade’ my wardrobe. It was cold!

Food:  Burgers not as good in Oz. Lamb was really nice and cheap; it’s so much more expensive for lamb in the US – we don’t eat it. Vegemite is DISGUSTING! Never tried kangaroo – I thought there was some in the fridge to cook, but soon found out that was for the dog!

Language: Was ‘totes’! confused when first arrived and heard the words : suss; reckon & tea (instead of dinner) being used. Soon picked the lingo up though.

Sightseeing: Never made it to Rotto – every time planned to go the weather wasn’t right. Held a koala and saw some kangaroos.

Nightlife:  Pretty expensive and the “dress code” got me all the time. We don’t have that in the USA for going out.

Experiences: Lucy & Sticks (Sarah) took me to Scarborough beach for surfing. It nearly killed me –I got dumped and ended up face down eating the sand – I think I’ll leave that to the girls!

Basketball:  It is a lot more physical than in the US which I loved and it suited my game. Refs let a lot more go – body fouls are called a lot in the USA but not here. I missed not being able to call time outs – something we do in the USA.

Host Family: The Humphryson’s are a beautiful family and have been kind enough to welcome me into their home and into their hearts with open arms. They have treated me like one of their own since I arrived, and that how I will leave – as an honorary Humphryson.

 

Bryton:

Weather:  I too thought it would be a lot warmer, man it was cold and it rained a lot

Food:  I’m not good a trying different foods but I did enjoy the burgers @ Retro Betty’s Innaloo.

Language: Reckon and keen got me – I couldn’t work out why they were used.

Sightseeing:  I didn’t get to Rotto but spent time at Kings Park and the Swan River

Nightlife:  Same as Kassi – Dress Code? I said “Man – what‘s that!”

Experiences:  Driving – at first I thought “Oh this is weird” then later “This is ok”. Enjoyed the roundabouts – we don’t have as many in my home town –they are also called “circles”

Basketball:  48 minute games were great; missed being able to call time-outs (did get caught out doing it once and couldn’t understand when no-one left the court!) I found the refs don’t like USA style basketball and don’t call the fouls so I had to adapt my game to suit.