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Published: September 29th 2006
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Opera House
Famous architecture in Sydney My overnight flight here was rough (and delayed) and I started my trip to Oz (Sat Sept 23)with a bug I got from Indonesia but things are great and I have one of Lisa's friends Neets (Anita) looking after me so I am getting a little spoiled here at the moment. Lisa's dad, Peter, has been another caregiver and a great friend to me. He picked me up from the airport and after a much needed nap he took the three of us out to lunch for my first real aussie fish and chips at this great outdoor restaurant overlooking the harbor. Later Neets took me to Manly (beach) for a walk and then the sunset. I am very thankful that Lisa has opened her world to me here. She is currently living in Signapore and often misses everyone I am getting to see (including casper her cat), so I am always thinking of her.
Neets woke me up the first morning to eggs and bacon (not kidding when I say she is spoiling me) and she has been showing me the sites in a little miata convertible (which I almost did not get myself and my bag into the
first day at Peters!) She lives alone north of the city in her grandmother's house so she's been excited to have the company. Lots of laughing and she can also talk with the best so conversation is never a problem!! We really have been having a great time together, and it's been really nice for me. But what Lisa started has only gotten worse now that I'm in Australia...my aussie vocabulary is increasing in its use which I can only assume will get worse over the next three months...but no worries, my accent won't change and I'll adjust back to american vocabulary when I get home!
We were going to go diving/snorkeling in Cornulla (South of Syndey) on Sunday (24th) with some of Neets mates but the wind was insane and the conditions were not favorable. We both almost got blown over the railing when I took that beautiful picture of the beach! So instead we had a look and headed to the pub to meet her dive buddies for lunch. When I mentioned I was in the graphics industry at home, the new dive shop owners Paul and Bunde asked if I could help them with a logo...I
was happy to try and enjoyed brainstorming ideas over lunch...and Neets even got me on a computer at her work a few days later but I just don't have enough time to finalize things for them since I am traveling but at least they have a first draft and a head start.
But anyways, once the winds died down in late afternoon we did make it back to the beach for a few hours befoe sunset. The big group of us just chilled out, had a laugh about Bunde giving Paul a hard time about wearing his budgie smugglers (speedo) around clients and the kids even found and saved a lobster. All in all, it was a fun day.
I had a full work week here (M-F) with Neets in Sydney and I have been going into the city and just hanging around/siteseeing while she is at work. She has been fighting a viral infection and I had some rough days myself with my bug from indo, so the first half of the week she even took off some time and it felt really good just being lazy for a few days. Traveling gets tiresome and I have
The Laughing "Kookaburra"
A famous Aussie Birds that sound as though they are laughing, I caught this one eating lunch outside Neets house. had fun enjoying simple pleasures such as walking to the grocery store and then cooking a good meal (had to spoil Neets a little too!!).
Life here is quite similiar to home but I feel like more people work to live rather than live to work, and the general mentality seems to be more pleasant...which I enjoy to see. Stores aren't open all hours of the day, which can have it's downsides but not to the people working the stores and in a way I feel like it forces people to have a more routine life, for instance you can't work till late on a Tuesday and still go out for dinner!!! People seem to live simplier lives and everyone chats with everyone, meaning people just seem happier and more talkative/friendly here, where at home I feel like some (not all) walk around with a pole stuck up their bum! But I am sure Australia has their share of jerks too because I saw tons of loud/annoying ones in Bali (Bali is a cheap place to surf and get drunk for young australians on holiday), and what I am trying to say is there is a reason why everyone
Flying Foxes (bats) in the Trees
There is a bridge by neets and after sunset hundreds of these guys come flying off the trees and over the bridge, really eerie, but my night photos didn't come out, but this was taken at the botantical gardens in Sydney not by Neets bridge. loves Australia but at the same time I'm not trying to bash my own country either. I love america too, and our cultures are formed by a mix of a lot of things and I just think some technical/cultural advances come at a price for us at home. As an American I am trained to want, want, want, when sometimes you don't need much to be happy, and if our culture could slow down a little and the general population didn't spend most of their life working then maybe our mentality, our health and our families would be better off. America's culture has produced the best inventors/creators and some of the greatest technology, and this has given us great benefits but sometimes I wish for us it wasn't always about being the best or telling everyone else in the world what "we" think is best for them when we really have no idea. Anyways, sorry for that tangent, enough politics which you all know I hate and I am not trying to say I know everything or that there isn't two sides to a coin, just a thought (my thoughts)okay.....anyways I am really enjoying Australia and it does feel good
Syndey at Night
Pic isn't the best but it's gorgeous. to be in a developed country with similar ammenties to home and I am happy to be able to drink (and brush my teeth with) tap water again!!
The weather was much chillier after my first weekend here (when it was unusally warm-30C) and I did some shopping in the city because I needed to buy a few more pieces of warmer clothing to get me through the colder places I will be in. I packed a little too well at home and actually there isn't anything I packed that I haven't used yet! Melbourne and Tasmania (places south in Australia) are still going to be really cold in the spring, we are below the equator so remember here north is warmer/vs at home south is warmer. But luckily Neets pointed out all the cheap clothing lines (equilvant to places like H&M) so I was able to get a jacket and a jumper (sweater) for 25 Aussie dollars (I was really proud of my bargain shopping here!) In general, clothing here is expensive and some of you would laugh at the "in" fashion here, very 80s!!! I have seen plenty of legwarmers and tights/spandex!
So today is my
Lucky the Actor
Paul's youngest, Lucky, was quite the model posing all over the place for me. last day, I take the train into to city when I finish this blog and will walk around and people watch until I meet up with Neets for dinner after work. There are some neat (but expensive) things you can do in Sydney but I've been trying to be very cost effective. There is a lot I want to do up North as well as in NZ so I have to pick my activities wisely. I will have one full day in Sydney again at the end of the month before I head to Adelaide and hope to make it to Blue Mountains that day. I will meet up with Neets for dinner tonight in the city and today is breast cancer awareness day so the Opera House is going to be illuminated in hot pink for the occasion...how cool is that?! I'll try to snap some photos.
My bus leaves tonight about 10:30pm and I don't arrive in Bryon Bay till 10:30am. I purchased a bus ticket with one stop to Brisbane, and I continue on to Brisbane Monday morning. Neets coincidentally will also be in Brisbane for a pilot's course so I'll meet up with her again
Just Chillin
The pic is dark but here we are hanging around in Cornulla. there for a few nights and Thursday (5th) I fly North to Cairns. I have until the 23rd to travel south to the Whitsunday Coast where I fly out of on the 24th. I will then have about 30 hours again in Sydney before I fly to Adelaide to see Mary on the 26th. I will try to send another blog before I leave Cairns.
Miss everyone, having a great time...
Kristen
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nolawi
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leg warmers
ha ahah aha hah a I'mm laughing my you know what off.... just so funny that you think the fashion is outdated... maybe it is... maybe the us fashion is outdated.. I dont know i just thought it was funny.