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Published: July 13th 2008
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Living in Sydney
It only seems like I only updated the blog yesterday but when I looked I realized it was two weeks. Time seems to fly by here. I am not sure where the last two weeks have gone too.
I have now moved out of the hostel in to a flat in Pyrmont which is just the other side of Darling Harbor (see map). My commute to work is now a gentle 20 minute walk across the Pyrmont bridge in to the city, picking up a coffee on the way. Pyrmont bridge is the only electric swing bridge in the world. It is pretty amazing to see it work as the middle section of the bridge swings through 90 degrees to let tall boats in and out of the harbour. On Friday I also saw a mother duck and her babies on my way to work. It definitely beats a 40 minute drive on the M3!
The flat is nice it is in a big apartment black where there are a total of 160 flats. There is a 20 meter swimming pool and gym in the basement. I have already discovered a couple of interesting things
about living in Australia. Firstly they generally don't have any heating in their houses, so it is a little cold at the moment especially in the mornings. So I went out and bought myself a nice big queen quilt (they are called quilts here not duvets) to keep me warm. It was a bit of a struggle bringing it home on the train but it was worth it. Secondly they have top loading washing machines here so it feels like you are doing your washing in a launderette even when you are at home.
It is funny I thought Australia would be quite similar to home but there are lots of differences. I have already started to talk about putting the garbage out and am asking for schooners in the pub. For those that don’t know a schooner is a 425 ml glass of beer and they only serve pints here in Irish bars. I have decided to start keeping a list of all these interesting differences I am discovering (very sad of me I know). Australia television is also very different there are very few programs made in Australia, most of the shows are imported from the US
or the UK - NCIS, CSI, MY Family, Top Gear. I never thought I would say this but I miss the BBC news especially the breakfast news. The news here is not very good and very brief they devote 10 minutes to the news then 20 minutes to the sports news - I guess that says something about there priorities.
Work is good not quite the same as Systematic but I am settling and don't feel so much like the new girl. It is a very good experience working with people from different countries and cultures. At work we have people from France, Italy, Singapore, India, China, England (me) and of course a few Aussies! Last Friday we all left work after beer o'clock (4.30pm) and went ten pin bowling in Darling Harbor. Beer o'clock is the time after which we can drink beer/wine at work it is very nice to not have to worry about driving home afterwards. I think systematic should look in to doing this 😊
I have also finally found an Australian to explain Aussie Rules to me. Everyone I kept asking say they didn't have a clue what the rules were. Finally someone
told me to ask a Victorian as this is where ithe game originated from - there are 10 teams in Victoria, 2 in Sydney, 2 in Brisbane and 2 in Perth. I found out that my boss at work is from Melbourne which is in Victoria and he has promised to explain it all and take me to see a game. I think he is quite excited to find someone who is interested in it as everyone else in Sydney prefers rugby league. I am not sure if I really want to go as the matches can go on for more than 3 hours, but at least I can say that I went.
Having reread this post I realize that it is a little dull as I all I seem to be talking about is heating and washing machines and you thought life in Australia was exciting. Hopefully the next post will be more interesting as it is World Youth Day in Sydney next week, thousands of pilgrims are descending on Sydney to see the Pope. And the following weekend I am off travelling again as I am going to the Blue Mountains for the weekend to see the
three sisters and hopefully I will have some good photos to show you all.
Am missing everyone lots and I was especially jealous when I saw the photos from the Summer Event it looked like you all had great fun. I am shopping for a laptop at the moment and as soon as I get one I will be able to update the blog more regularly.
Jess x
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