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Published: February 7th 2007
Sunrise... somewhere over the Pacific
I think we're over Fiji at this point.Hi everyone!
Well...
I'M HERE!!! On a side note, the US Customs dude at YYZ was actually PLEASANT (i.e. jokey, jokey, smiley, smiley). Surely the Holiday Gods are smiling on me. This bodes well for the remainder of my trip I'm thinking. After a 22 hr. plane ride, and a slight delay in LAX due to some idiot getting off the plane at the last minute (= security breach, finding the person's luggage, getting said luggage off the plane) I landed in beautiful Sydney. The plane ride itself wasn't too bad. I slept most of the way and woke up with five hours to go before touchdown in Oz. The food was truly disgusting, so note to self: never fly with United again.
Poor Dave, for once in his life, was on time(!!!) but due to the delay at LAX, he was left waiting for me for almost an hour and a half. I was welcomed with a massive bouquet of flowers and a big kiss. Gee, I wasn't expecting that, but those Aussies sure do know how to do up a welcoming party.
The weather was picture perfect. Blue skies,
Land ahoy!
My first glimpse of Oz. slight breeze, a whopping 27 degrees Celsius (sorry). In retrospect, it reminds me of Jamaica... tropical foliage, similar architecture, driving on the "other" side of the road... YIKES! I almost got run over at the airport because I looked the wrong way.
Dave lives on the upper floor of a house in a suburb called Maroubra. We are about 1km from the beach and across the street from a huge mall. Yes ladies, this mall even has a Target!! So I expect to be adding to the local economy at some point.
After dropping off my stuff, phoning the appropriate people, snooping around the place, and a little nap, we took a walk along the beach, checked out a cricket match, and sat on the rocks watching the waves roll in and the sun set. Excitement at the beach; while waiting for the bus we met up with a little girl who had been stung by Blue Bottles (i.e. jellyfish) and was bawling her head off. So Dave went to look for her parents and I ended up in the ladies' change room with her because, of course, all the lifeguards were men. Parents found; little girl a
Pour moi?
My "Welcome to Australia" flowers. bit traumatized; good deed for the year done; missed the bus (damn).
Went for Thai in Newtown (think Danforth neighbourhood). What a vibrant area! Sydney is very much like Toronto in its ethnic diversity. I've noticed that cappuccinos and lattes are a must, as well as walking around in bare feet (eeeeewwwwwww).
Came home and met Carl, Dave's roommate and also a firefighter. Chatted for a bit and then crashed hard. The time difference between TO and Sydney is +16 hrs., so by the time I hit the sack it was 7:00 am on Sunday morning in Toronto, which is 11:00 pm on Sunday evening in Sydney. Talk about jetlag!
P.S. - if you're wondering where my pictures are... please read the next entry. That will explain everything (groan). Party Princesses - you should see all the Aussie men... truly delicious.. and super tall!
Tony & Laurie - Simmsy says hello and we'll be emailing you soon.
Mom & Dad - haven't had a chance to pop by 17 Queen Street yet.
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Princess Helen
non-member comment
Re: Your PP Note
Lisa... That's the reason you took the mostly-empty suitcase: so you can bring one super-tall Aussie guy back for show and tell... and share! Glad you're safe and sand -- er sound. Helen