Aaron's Australian Birthday Barbeque

by Aaron Jones
(Sydney)

Hello, my name is Aaron. My ancestors are from Ireland, and I was born here in Sydney, Australia. Sometimes I go to Ireland to celebrate my birthday (I went there for my 22nd). There we usually go to pubs.

But in Australia, garden parties are traditionally more popular, especially as my birthday falls in the summer when it is very sunny here.

Contrary to a common belief, we do not have kangaroos or crocodiles in Sydney. It is a very modern city. Some of my friends live in Melbourne, and came from a long distance.

Let me tell you about my 23rd birthday. I invited many of my friends and family to a garden barbecue or "barbie." I cooked meatballs, hamburgers, chicken wings, drumsticks, and lamb chops. My friends brought the salad, mashed potatoes & gravy sauce. One of them is a chef, and helped me out there.

For my birthday I received modest gifts like t shirts, because I told friends not to buy something of a great value.

I have a swimming pool, and we had great fun eating and drinking cocktails by the pool. Many guests swam and some sunbathed. After sunset people threw each other into the pool, which was fun and harmless!

I became bartender for the evening. Maybe I will become one later in life?