The last half of my time in Sydney was markedly different from the first in one significant way...I felt less like a tourist and more like a local, as though I was no longer visiting, but rather settling into a comfortable routine as I would at home. In my opinion, this is a rare experience during travel...I put down my camera (for the most part!), saw fewer tourist attractions, and simply spent my days with the very good friends I made at Big Hostel...it was nice!
So, since I last wrote, Australia celebrated its 220th birthday (My Dad also celebrated a much younger birthday!) on January 26. It's true that Australians are proud of their country (and why shouldn't they be?) so the festivities were, as expected, incredible! About 15 of us from the hostel made our way down to the harbour with liquor in tow and were entertained by ferry races, skydivers and live music, all complemented by beautiful blue skies!! Surprisingly, finding bottle shops to replenish the liquor stock was a challenging task, which may explain why these events don't get too out of control!!! But we had a blast...so much so that we realized a bit too late that the fireworks were going off, and after running to the nearest look-out point, we were dazzled by a sky filled only with smoke, that seemed to indicate that the fireworks had been truly breathtaking!!
We topped the night off by attending a couple bars down on George Street for beers, odd entertainment and dancing. It was well after 4am before I crept into bed!!
After that wild Saturday night, Eve, Ruth and I were the only ones in good enough shape to take advantage of the sunshine and head to the beach. So in the course of two days we hit both Bondi and Manly, each boasting white sand and blue water. I was excited to finally fix the horrific tan lines that I got in Thailand, and I did learn from my mistake and slather on the sunscreen every hour. I am definitely darker than I've ever been before...no more pale me!!!
We've also started making use of the fully equipped kitchen in the hostel by cooking more meals. It's a way cheaper option as the food here is quite expensive...I've been spending about $10 per meal for take-away and $15 for sit down meals, whereas in a group cook, we may spend $5 or $6 each. The food here is a lot like at home, with additional favourites like fresh baked meat pies and vegemite. Speaking of which, I have tried vegemite, in keeping with my "When in Rome" travel philosophy. However, my first experience was not so good. Like a typical North American, I spread it on like peanut butter - nice and thick. Now, anyone who has tried it is probably cringing right now, because it is only spread in a thin barely-there fashion due to its extreme saltiness. My second experience was better, only because I had an Aussie prepare it for me!! I've also run into a bit of trouble ordering a coffee...at home it's a simple 'large double double', but during my first visit to a local coffee shop, I realized that the only offerings on the menu were flat white or long black....hmmmm. When I tried to explain that I wanted a fresh brewed coffee with 2 cream and 2 sugar, all I got were blank stares. Unfortunately for the shopkeepers, it was early in the morning, and I was grumpy after being drenched in the rain, so I think I came across as a bit of a crazy caffeine-addicted foreigner!!! I did finally figure out that the closest thing to what I wanted (and it still doesn't taste quite the same) is a flat white with two sugars!!
Anyway, back to my activities...I did a day trip out to the Blue Mountains, which is 2 hours west of the city by train. I went with my friend Clinton, who I met on the plane into Sydney. He just finished teaching english in China (hence the long beard). We descended 900 steps down the Giant Stairway and hiked for 2 hours through the Jamison Valley before taking the Scenic Railway (steepest in the world) to the top of Echo Point.
My friends from the hostel are truly wonderful, although they constantly poke fun at me for my apparant lack of 80's movie knowledge!! We spend lots of time together, whether it's hanging out at the hostel or going out to various events around the city. We had a big BBQ on the roof one night as a birthday celebration for Eve and as a going away for a a few of our friends, who are continuing on to the rest of Australia. We were also lucky enough to catch the Opera in the Park, a free showing of La Boheme. John, Ruth and I also enjoyed incredible views of the city during our dinner at Centre Point. Unfortunately, most of these events were plagued by overcast skies, and my last week in Sydney was pretty much constant rain, to the point where there were literally rivers flowing down the sidewalks. I finally broke down and begrudgingly bought an umbrella...I had left my raincoat back in Thailand thinking "Won't need this...I'm heading to drought-stricken Australia." Yeah, not quite the case!!!
I also had a great visit with some of my parents' old friends David & Sharon, who picked me up at the hostel and took me on an amazing tour of the city, focusing on places that I hadn't seen yet. We made our way through Centennial Park, Paddington, Double Bay, Watson's Bay, Coogee Beach, The Gap on the south head...we ate fish and chips at Doyle's, a restaurant that my Dad remembers from his time here, and we had a beer at the Hero of Waterloo, the oldest hotel in Sydney. Conversation was great...I could've listened to their stories of travelling the world for hours!!! Sharon also told me that I have my Mom's laugh...
Unfortunately I'll miss them the next time I pass through Sydney, but I've promised to come back and see them again!!
I had a really hard time leaving Sydney and the friends I made there. I was quite happy at Big Hostel (I ended up staying there for 2 1/2 weeks, the longest I've stayed in any one place so far) and I feel very comfortable walking around the city (didn't get lost once!). The scenery is breathtaking, the activities were endless, the people were nice...I really do feel like Sydney could be a second home.
But, now it's on to see the rest of what Australia has to offer!!! Next on the agenda....Melbourne, rumoured to have a great live music scene and the best coffee in the country!!!
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