Hot cross buns

Last weekend it was Easter, also in Aussie. Unfortunately I had to work during the entire long weekend due to go live for the project I've been on since we came here.
Long days on a air force base with no open restaurants.
The saviour is spelled Hot Cross Buns.

I had never seen these before coming here but  they have appeared in the stores for a couple of months. Now I have learned that traditionally they are eaten on Good Friday and that the white cross symbolizes Jesus death. There are different variant e g with chocolate and spices (from which I think ginger is the most prominent) but the original (and best) are the ones with raisins or currants. Most people seem to prefer them toasted with loads of butter.
So what do they taste? Are they good? Quite alright I must say although not that special. Something in between common bread and sweet buns.
However they are quite filling to your stomach and without them we wouldn't have come through the weekend!

Cheers

What does it cost?

One of the most common question we get when talking to people back home is - What are prices like in Aussie? So then let's take a look at the cost to fill up the fridge and some other costs. Speaking about fridge, have you ever heard about an esko? "When you go to the beach be sure to bring your esko" is a typical aussie phrase. Esko = kylväska. I think it's from the beginning a brand same way as Thermos.

But now back to the fridge. How much does it cost to fill it up? After 6 months we have quite good statistics and our grocery budget is about 20% higher than in Sweden which I think corresponds quite well to the general feeling. However there are differences between food types
- Beef is cheaper (This is a beef eating country)
- Chicken about same as in Sweden
- Pork slightly more expensive (About same as beef)
- Fish is expensive (Salmon double price!)
- Fruit and vegetables vary more than in Sweden but is more expensive than you could expect in a country where everything grows all year around. Potatoes is a confusing thing. Much more expensive.

Alcohol is surprisingly expensive. Everybody knows alcohol is very expensive in Sweden but the fact is it is not cheaper here. The difference is that you get quantity discount, sometimes 25% if you e g buy six bottles of wine. In fact you need the discount to come down to swedish prices.

Petrol is ridiculously cheap, half price to Sweden and rest of Europe. No surprise you see a lot of big thirsty 4WD utility cars.

Also the cars themselves are cheaper, especially the japanese and other asian makes.

Road tax and insurance are slightly more expensive.

Electricity and gas (yes most houses/apartments including ours have gas stoves and water heating) are like home.

Services in general are cheaper, e g you can get a haircut for $10=SEK60. I go to one of the inner city barbers and pay a high price, $30.

Eating out is slightly cheaper I would say, especially fast food. I will come back to australian food in another post

Accommodation costs vary of course a lot depending on location and city but in general apartment rents are higher. House prices however seem to be similar if you compare Brisbane - Gothenburg

Cheers