I'm a thinker, not a writer:
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| Now that's a fine accommodation |
The moment of intense relaxation, reunion and
general revelry upon one's return home after a holiday is paired with a delayed
but equally intense feeling of stagnancy and urge to get back out there and see
something new. Southeast Asia was one of the most revitalizing places I
have been so far (more on that when I find the time; moving on to here and
now), but the comfortable, homely nature of Australia while maintaining an
adventurous allure gives you an immediate love for the country that I have
rarely experienced in my short time on this awesome earth.
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| Gonna stand next to that flag tomorrow |
The delirium that our crew as a whole had the
privilege of experiencing after some 20 hours in a plane (broken up by a 4 hour
Falcons football break accompanied by a few cold beers in LAX) is something
that is very difficult to comprehend for those who have never skipped a day
while traveling. Leaving in the evening of December 26th and arriving,
having completely skipped a day, on the morning of December 28th gives the sense
of having something taken from you, and now the confusion and fog of being in a
completely new, though strangely familiar place, really plays tricks on the
brain. Fun tricks. Beer gains a similar potency as it does in apres ski hot tub. We found ourselves getting many strange looks and having even
stranger conversations with locals on the transit system after a couple beers
with dinner. Most of our small talk partners left us with, in a confused and
somewhat shocked tone, simple advice to "get some sleep". No goodbye.
Just get some sleep.
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| Creeps live here. And us. |
We hit the ground running at a pace that I usually
try and maintain while traveling: fast as possible. Who needs rest when
you have ridiculous amounts of stimulation and new life everywhere around you.
It, plainly, kicks ass. Took a quick journey on 2 buses, 3 trains
and a short walk to Sydney University to find Wesley College, which was
to be our home for the next couple of weeks, or something like that.
First thing I had to say when we first saw the college was how haunted it
surely was. In a good way, of course. Turns out dive bomber
mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds were a good night sleep's enemy rather than
the ghosts and ghouls, or whatever. Still, it is a lovely place on an incredible
campus. Words won't justify and pictures can only begin to capture.
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| It could use a solid polishing, but still incredible |
Once we flung our packs down, picked our rooms, and
got subsequently lost in Shining-esque hallways, we took off for Sydney Harbor
for a glimpse at the picturesque Sydney Bridge and Sydney Opera House. These
two Architectural and structural feats make up the face of Sydney across the
world. The surprising thing about the general architecture and city
organization of Sydney is that they begin to somewhat overshadow these two
iconic structures. All across the city there is an awesome juxtaposition
of old English style building with modern architectural wonders.
Pre-elevator era buildings stand overshadowed by huge skyscrapers that
could compare with any of the great in New York, I would imagine.
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| If you look close enough you can see Rafiki in that sucker |
This contrasting relationship in architecture gives
the city a unique feel that I have never been able to genuinely enjoy in a
city. As soon as you think you have wondered deep into a concrete jungle,
you stumble upon one of many of the most magnificent gardens you could
imagine. Australia has some of the most unique, deadly, and beautiful
natural inhabitants and environment in the world, and even the biggest city in
Australia, one can still see mother natures influence on this rough land.
After wondering along the harbor and haphazardly
partaking in a street contortionist show with a fine young lady named Emily, we
made our way to the greatest garden the city has to offer; the Royal Botanic
Gardens. People start camping out in this incredibly gorgeous and lively
place 3 days before New Years Eve to get one of the best seats in the house of
the world renown fireworks show. A simple stroll through the garden is
enough to blow your mind, but on NYE with the Bridge in the background
exploding with fireworks with a starry Australian backdrop while sitting in one
of the most badass gardens in the world? Sensory overload can sometimes
be a good thing. I wonder how much tents are over here...
Along with the amazing contrast of urban and
bucolic; old and new, there is a strangely evident melting pot feel that blows
America's out of the water. Not to say that I was expecting to find
locals talking about their knives or wearing those stupid hats that Andrew just
bought that they are so well known for, but the general population has been
very surprising. I started counting languages the first day and ended up
hearing Portugese, French, German, Italian, who knows how many asian derived
tongues, Spanish, and Icelandish or Viking or something like that.
Obviously that is a typical characteristic of most internationally
popular tourist cities, but never have I noticed the demographic to be so broad
and seemingly all encompassing. I have a hard time picking out locals or
even Australians until I actually get a chance to speak with someone.
Everyone seems to be on an equal playing field demographic, but that is,
of course, a first day's glimpse into the general population of a damn big
city.
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| Good old Bondi Beach |
One thing I do know is I am meeting way too many people originally close
to home this far from home than should be normal. My first plan of action
in any new place is to meet and talk with as many locals as possible.
This means striking conversation with any person working any service
industry. First, they have no choice but to answer your questions, and
second, they have to live here. Best way to get the lay of the land and
the must sees and do's. So far the most beneficial interaction I have
been able to takeaway was the "phone lady" at Vodaphone that was
setting up all of our international plans. A cute, 20-something, outgoing
girl is always full of advice I am very likely to follow. This one seems
to be no different. We talked about the general air of the younger crowd
in Sydney and it seems to be similar to areas like Buckhead or Virginia
Highlands back home. Young people spending money they shouldn't be
spending on general debauchery they should definitely be partaking in. My
kind of spot. Asked her for the places to go, and she named off some that
rang a bell: Bondi Beach, beach bums paradise; King's Cross, a pubcrawler's
delight; and George Street, where the levelheaded imbiber can have a good laugh
at the wannabe pretentious.
General advice, obviously, but there is something here for everyone and this girl is cool. That was my takeaway. Maybe my phone will break and I will have to make another stop by Vodaphone before I get out of town. Hopefully.
I couldn't have asked for a better first day. Great group, awesome city, met some cool people, ended the night with five or so Toohey's New (Keystone light of Australia) at Planet Hollywood's knockoff, the Star Bar, and ended with a much needed nights rest. Living hard enough that every day blows your mind at how much great action you squeezed into it is probably the key to happiness. How could one not feel fulfilled? Wish there was more time to write and cheaper beers to drink, but I am now off to a cheaper watering hole to meet up with a buddy from Thailand. Life's a trip.
Cheers.
