Life in Sydney

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So my last entry was vague because it was a general update. Today I'd like to give you a little more in depth look at what it's really like to live in Sydney. Keep in mind that I haven't even been here a month so this analysis will still be pretty much at the surface level.

Sydney is a bustling city with 4.6 million residents. But it seems like half of that are tourists and backpackers. Culturally, it is quite similar to the U.S. The dress is the same, music is the same, the same movies and plays are watched, the people are friendly. I may only say that half the city seems to be travelers because I am a traveler myself. But tourism is obviously a big part of what makes this city. This is especially true near the CBD (Central Business District = downtown) where the Harbor Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens and Opera House are located. There are always tour buses filled with camera laden men and women eager to snap a photo proving they've been on the Opera House steps. There are also never ending numbers of people here on Working Holiday Visas just like me. The four guys I live with, half of the people I work with and every single person I met in two hostels are all here working short term.

Life in the city is easy. Everything you need is a train, bus ride, or a short walk away. I can walk to two grocery stores, five gyms, twenty sushi joints and three Mexican restaurants (they're all in a row???) in less than ten minutes and work in just about 23 minutes. Sydney is called a city of villages because there are distinct neighborhoods or boroughs. I live in Surry Hills which is just south of the CBD. It's an up and coming area that is now home to hip cafés and coffee shops that give you three different ways to brew your coffee. I don't get it yet but there is the French press and then all kinds of fancy drips that seem unnecessary. But the coffee is outstanding wherever you are in Sydney.

So it's spring now and the people seem to be eager to be outside even though Winter isn't particularly harsh. The parks are full of loungers on the grass. And the one day I went out to Bondi Beach it was absolutely packed. Enjoying the beaches is on my list but I have yet to accomplish that particular goal.

All in all, Sydney is an international city with every nationality imaginable making roll call. This diversity is present everywhere you look in the city. It is in the people, on the TV and especially in the food. It has been an interesting adjustment for me to come from the Dallas suburbs to such a large, compact city but I can say that I have enjoyed my time so far in Sydney and I look forward to what the future brings.

Until next time,

David

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Comments

[Chrisann]

Love the update!
David - what an exciting adventure! My brother lived in Australia for 4 years (Perth) and really loved it. Enjoy your time to the fullest and keep those updates coming. Love you, friend.