After a surprisingly smooth 20 hour flight to get to the Sydney Airport, I arrived safe and sound at my hostel near Kings Cross, Sydney (otherwise known as the Red Light District, but I think its rather unimpressive as far as that goes…with all my experience in Red Light districts that is).  I was too excited to sleep, so I jumped in the shower and then ran off to see what I could see.  One of the reasons that I chose this hostel (The Blue Parrot–I suggest it to anyone coming to Sydney) was because it was a short walk away from the Opera House and Sydney Harbour through the botanical gardens.  So off I went, winding through bat-filled trees, looking at flowers and birds I have never seen before that just happen to thrive down here until I come into the most glorious clearing (see above).  This iconic scene is why many choose to come to Sydney, and really once you get past this, there’s not much here other than your normal, everyday city life.

 

But it is quite impressive isn’t it?  Apparently the Opera House took over 20 years to build, but now stands as one of the most recognizable and unique buildings in the world.  Unlike other opera houses, this one is made of multiple performance rooms: Opera House, Concert Hall, Drama Theatre, Playhouse, and Dance Studio to name a few.  I haven’t taken the tour of the inside, since I did that a few years ago, but I plan on going to see a show of sorts before departing Sydney.

Then there’s the bridge itself, making this picture so visually captivating.  As you walk around the harbour you can look up and see tiny little figures walking overtop the arch in small groups.  If you go to the Harbour Bridge Climb office you can actually see pictures of all the famous people that have attempted that very feat such as the Olsen Twins and Harry Potter.  It is quite a magnificent experience–much cooler than simply taking an elevator to a high tower and looking down.  I couldn’t quite afford this walk this time, but I was lucky enough to have done it before right around sunrise and it was the most beautiful and awe-inspiring view you can imagine.  

So anyway, after a gorgeous walk around the harbour and then through Circular Quay, the ‘hub’ of Sydney harbour where you can sit outside at a cafe, walk around wit some gelato, or stop and watch a variety of street performances, I headed up through the heart of the city.  

I really had no purpose in mind, other than trying to come to terms with the fact that I now live in Australia.  I’m still trying to come to terms with that actually.  

In the meantime I’ve met a lot of great people at the hostel I’m staying at.  Its a small little 2-story converted house with a back courtyard.  There are only about 8 or 9 rooms of people, so already by the end of the first week I feel like part of the family.  There are a few people who have been here a while, some who are just here for a few days, and then some like me who just arrived in Australia, but are planning on staying the entire year on a working/holiday visa.  I met two girls in particular, Ruth from Scotland and Jenny from England, who I’m thinking about traveling a bit with.

 

The next few days I went to Bondi beach, which is a mere 2 subway stops away from my hostel.  That Sunday a few of us went to the Festival of the Winds.  Sunday is already the busiest beach day in Australia, but with this festival, the place was packed full.  We were able to squeeze in a few metres of sand and watch as the huge kites soared above us.  There was also live dance and musical performances along the boardwalk and in the beach pavilion.