All the credit must go to Mr. Bryson, who is a very cool writer and very funny... but thank you. That book made quite an impression on me. I've always wanted to go to Australia... and now I'm a little concerned about stepping off the plane.
I was traveling by air last week. On the outbound several people boarded the plane with take-out reeking of onions and garlic. I find that a lot easier to tolerate though (since they'll be consuming the food) than someone sitting near me who hasn't showered... in a while... and decides to mask the fact with an extra splash of scent. Ugh!
One of my favorite books by Bill Bryson is 'In A Sunburned Country'. This little passage stuck out in my memory:
"Australia is the home of the largest living thing on earth, the Great Barrier Reef, and of the largest monolith, Ayers Rock (or Uluru to use its now-official, more respectful Aboriginal name). It has more things that will kill you than anywhere else. Of the world's ten most poisonous snakes, all are Australian. Five of its creatures - the funnel web spider, box jellyfish, blue-ringed octopus, paralysis tick and stonefish - are the most lethal of their type in the world. This is a country where even the fluffiest of caterpillars can lay you out with a toxic nip, where seashells will not just sting you but actually sometimes go for you. If you are not stung or pronged to death in some unexpected manner, you may be fatally chomped by sharks or crocodiles, or carried helplessly out to sea by irresistable currents, or left to stagger to an unhappy death in the baking outback. It's a tough place."
Ummmm... that would be a good quality sippin' vodka martini, with just a hint of vermouth, served very cold, and a bowl of olives on the side. One should never drink on an empty stomach.
I'm sure human 'processing' has been considered. Processing enough coffee beans, for sale at a price the market will bear, would kill most human beings. Butt advertising the special 'piquance' or pungency one adds to the flavor of the beans to warrant the high price would be hilarious.
EDIT: No wait, that's shipping. I wonder how much this sold for?
"Australia is the home of the largest living thing on earth, the Great Barrier Reef, and of the largest monolith, Ayers Rock (or Uluru to use its now-official, more respectful Aboriginal name). It has more things that will kill you than anywhere else. Of the world's ten most poisonous snakes, all are Australian. Five of its creatures - the funnel web spider, box jellyfish, blue-ringed octopus, paralysis tick and stonefish - are the most lethal of their type in the world. This is a country where even the fluffiest of caterpillars can lay you out with a toxic nip, where seashells will not just sting you but actually sometimes go for you. If you are not stung or pronged to death in some unexpected manner, you may be fatally chomped by sharks or crocodiles, or carried helplessly out to sea by irresistable currents, or left to stagger to an unhappy death in the baking outback. It's a tough place."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZlCPQur4hc
http://www.neatorama.com/2011/12/13/krampuslauf-graz/
Alternately, single malt scotch is excellent.