Time flies, especially when there are literally an unlimited number of activities to do! At the one month mark of being in Australia, I thought about all I had done in a mere four weeks. So very much. Then I started to think about all I want to do while I am here and realized time is a-slippin away before my eyes. Feels like there isn't a minute to spare. I have met so many fantastic people, from literally everywhere. I love being based in such a gateway city as Sydney because I really get a taste of so many different cultures all in one. The world is a fascinating place, no doubt, but the people inhabiting it are what it's all about. No matter where you are, may it be the best or worst place on the face of this planet, you need people. We are here to interact with one another and there is something to be learned or at least appreciated from absolutely everyone. Talk to people. Particularly those different from yourself.
The Sydney harbor is such an inspiring place. Absolutely beautiful. Colored houses stretching for miles around the points, softly bobbing anchored sailboats, a great realm of tourists among local businesspeople, an Aboriginal playing a didgeridoo, and of course the Opera House which is seemingly unreal upon first sight when you realize you're here - it does exist!
I have hit up the major tourist beaches in Sydney: Bondi, Manly, and Coogee. All good in their own way. And although they are the majors, far less crowded than any LA beach and significantly smaller. Parking is still a bit rough, of course. But between these major tourist draws are the sweetest little beaches you ever laid your eyes on. Super clear and blue water, very small shore lines between rocky points, and fantastically delicious little cafes. I have developed a liking for hiking up and around the rocks at the points. Discovered a few caves, heaps of sideways-crawling crabs, and microscopic communities inhabiting itty bitty tide pools. Splashing and slipping around barefoot, I get giddy like an adventurous Girl Scout, every time.
One overcast day, Savannah and I headed to Bondi for a surf competition that was a little under the weather. Cool set up, just not many people due to the rain earlier in the day. But the sun came out, like it always does, and we had a good few hours exploring. Ran into a couple American guys I had met at Manly a few days before and joined them for the view from their buddy's rooftop-beachside-awesome balcony. So pleasant.
A bout of all-too-nice weather couldn't be wasted by not enjoying the seaside. For about a week I was at one beach or another nearly daily. A highlight was a Saturday at Manly. We went real childish - tackling one another between waves, team building a giant sandcastle with a killer moat that was never utilized due to the low tide, tossing a football goofily around in a circle, and of course ice cream. A top day.
Random activity: volunteering at the Jurassic Lounge at the Australian Museum. The Australian Museum is a cool little place right by Hyde Park in the center of the city. On Tuesday evenings, the museum puts on an event called Jurassic Lounge which has an assortment of artistic activities. The week I was there, queuing visitors through lines to buy tickets (they draw in upwards of a thousand visitors each week), there was a silent disco, band, comedian, lecture, naked woman painting, poetry reading, and open after-hours exhibits. Really neat.
This past weekend, hopped in a car on a whim to head to Canberra for a friend's 21st. 21st birthdays aren't just big in the US. Apparently they are a tradition many places, in which a family and friends gathering is put on as a sort of 'coming of age' festivity. This one was themed 'A Day at the Races,' put on by the parents, complete with the entire family and hometown friends, catered dinner, open bar, dance tunes, and speeches. Great time and great to see the countryside. Gorgeous fields that stretch for miles, abundant African style trees, and rolling green hills in the background. It was a rainy day as our two-car, eight-person crew cruised down South, which broke as we were nearing the capital and produced the most perfect rainbow I have ever seen. Brilliantly massive and stretched completely from end to end. Complemented the emerging blue skies so nicely. Canberra was very significantly smaller than Sydney, and is the capital mostly for the reason that Melbourne and Sydney couldn't decide between themselves. So they picked a point in the middle of nothing, between the two. Didn't see too much of the government buildings, but got a feel for the quaint town. Good to see the countryside.
Uni today, an interview for a potential internship tomorrow (fingers crossed!), most likely the Gold Coast for a four-day weekend starting Thursday, and a trip to New Zealand over Easter break in the works. So much to see and so many people to meet! Get out there and discover something unexpected today. Time's a tickin'.
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