Day One in Australia

Well, the flight was long, but not horrible. :) I had an aisle seat which was great. Each seat had its own entertainment screen so you could watch movies, tv, play video games, etc. and that was nice. I finally saw The Hunger Games and also watched We Bought a Zoo and some tv shows. I am guessing I maybe slept about three hours total on the 15 hour flight.
Upon arrival, I easily made it through customs ;) and then went to get my luggage. I was a little nervous as mine came out with only about 5 people still waiting, but I got it he headed to the SkyBus. This bus takes you to a station in the city then has a free bus that will drop you off at your hotel.
When I arrived at the hotel, no rooms were ready because it was only 10:30am. I used the free wireless in the lobby (limited to 30 minutes every 24 hours and only 50mb-what's up with that?!?) I ate lunch at the hotel restaurant then my room was ready.
Upon trying to get my room, they wouldn't charge it to the school credit card because I didn't have it with me. No problem, I said and handed them my Visa(that I had just used at lunch.) It wouldn't take my Visa...guess Visa turned it off thinking it was stolen and being used in Australia. (Note to self: when traveling abroad, call and let the credit card company know!) I said I needed to call visa so they let me go on up to my room. They were very patient and nice but in my head I was thinking they probably hear all the time that "my credit is good, really."
Upon getting in my room, I went to charge my iPad and realized the electricity outlets were totally different than in the US. This caused a breakdown....mainly I think because I was so tired! I skyped Chris and was crying telling him the Visa story and about the outlets. Chris, my calm thinker, told me to go to the front desk about the outlets. He also called Visa and straightened everything out. (thanks honey)
I relaxed in my room, took a shower, then went for a meet and greet with the action research team at 4pm in the hotel lobby. It was a very nice group. My team leader, Linda, talked to me and I shared with her about being nervous since I was on the action research team for the first time. She was great and reassured me it was going to be fine. Words I needed to hear. :)
I met a girl from Virginia who does technology for K-5 at her school. She was staying at a different hotel, so she came to my room after the meet and greet and we talked all about school and our travel plans in Australia (her husband is coming after the conference as well) until we went to meet a group going to dinner at 6:30. We walked to a pub type restaurant and I really enjoyed getting to know a few people better. Two of the team leaders were there and everyone was very nice. we walked back to the hotel and I went straight to bed at 9pm.
I woke up this morning at 5:45. Early, but grateful I had some decent sleep. Today (Sunday), we are going to a school for meetings/training all day. We have another meet and greet this afternoon in my hotel lobby. I'm thankful I'm staying here as those two events are here and the bus leaves for here to the meetings. Headed to get ready for the day...lots of learning about action research to come today!!! The picture is a view from my hotel room in Melbourne.