CONTINENT 6 - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DAY 1
I had an amazing flight over. I watched two movies, ate an incredible meal, and slept nearly the whole flight. I sat next to a sweet Aussie Mom with two boys. She was on the West Coast for a conference for her company. You’re right Mom and Dad, Aussies are warm, curious, and kind to the core. Such a lovely person. We made great conversation- I told her I'm meeting up with two best friends from high school, *(like Kay- Same friend circle), to tour Australia and New Zealand for two weeks *in March. We enjoy ourselves until I tell her about wanting to bungy jump in New Zealand. She tells me she has a friend who's an eye surgeon, who's had a lot of patients come in after bungy jumping because their eyes popped out of their sockets, and I need to be careful when I jump and make sure to shut my eyes. At first I thought she was kidding, but she wasn't laughing with me, so I guess that's a real thing. If I wasn't terrified at the idea of bungy jumping, then I certainly am now.
NARRATOR: Emilie was already terrified of bungy jumping. She woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, every night for two weeks, prior to this trip. Heart of a lion, she's got.
We landed and I had a lot of time to kill before checking in at the hostel. I had a coffee and decided to try one of Australia’s legendary meat pies- It was delicious of course. It’s like eating a non-shitty, non-cancer ridden hot pocket.
I do as the hostel suggests online, and I grab a shuttle. Round trip was $42U.S. Very expensive but instead of a cab- Very cheap. I was under the impression that I would get reimbursed for $15 as it states on the hostel site. I arrive, and the reimbursement is only included for a three or more night stay. Ugh, didn't find that fine print anywhere. I’ll suggest public transport when I arrive back here again with Rachel.
They let me check in an hour early. My room is the top floor of course. I walk in to greet one roommate, and try to set up my sheets on the top bunk. It was a comedy. I’m shaking the top, rickety, flimsy bunk with my big clunky boots on, I keep hitting my head on the slanted roof, and I'm spread eagle, stretching and holding the sheet down on all fours, trying to keep the constantly moving sheet over the period stained bedding. (I know it’s period blood because it’s an all female dorm). I pause, look over to my right, and see another empty, single bed at floor level. Fuck it. I take that one instead. Thankfully, the other dorm mate couldn't care less as she was on the phone.
I shower quickly. It’s such nice weather out, I decide to let my hair air dry, and I take my small backpack and hit the town. I walked 6.4 miles today, all the way from my hostel, to the Opera House and back. I hit Hyde Park and a few other landmarks and parks on the way. I took a bunch of photography and even took a long exposure of the Opera House at dusk. I also touched the Opera House to say I did it haha! It’s interesting that you told me the architect was Danish, Dad. A lot of the arches in fact look like a very old Icelandic or Scandinavian cathedral or church. I don’t know if that’s what he was going for, but that’s what I got out of it.
There’s not too much to note about Sydney being drastically different to anything we know at home in the States. I will say, everything is much more “jungly” than I was expecting. Historically this makes sense. It seems like it was a lush, jungle island that became a city, rather than a city like New York that installed Central Park to have nature. There are so many diverse trees and animals here- It’s REALLY cool!! I keep looking at something new and think, "Wtf is that"? Some of the buildings remind me a lot of New Orleans as well. They have similar architecture and characteristics. This "jungle" integration within Australia makes even more sense when you know the history. England had been sending its convicts to America until 1783, when the American War of Independence ended. With America's refusal to accept England's convicts, they needed to be sent elsewhere, and Australia was the perfect place. So the Land Down Under was essentially founded by a slew of lawless criminals. You wouldn't know it today, of course. Australia is known to foster some of the kindest, warmest, heartiest people in the world.
As the night carried on, I hit the wall at 6PM. Still walking home, my stomach grumbling and my feet dead, I get in to my hostel at around 6:45PM. There’s a free barbie!! *(Australian term for barbecue). I’m thrilled! Free dinner! It was honestly delicious- I had two helping of grilled squash and chicken skewers in a bun.
I’m writing this to you now in my dorm with eyes half closed. I have an early wake up call at 5:15AM to catch my 6:15AM shuttle to the airport. I’m going to try for the earlier Virgin flight.
Love you guys! Hope I have time to FaceTime you in the airport.
-eM
