Day 1

FINALLY, I’ve arrived safely! It’s so great to be here, I cannot stop smiling. Amazingly enough, the jet leg hasn’t really affected me. I slept for a good amount on the plane. Watched a couple movies, ate, and slept. The airline gave me a nice kit with a blanket, a sleeping blindfold, and a pair of socks. I wasn’t sure about the socks but the Aussie’s next to me found it normal so I pretended to also. I arrived at 2:30 Sydney time and was so excited, I had enough adrenaline pumping to last me until 11pm.

When I first got in, I took a bus to central Sydney and then took a cab from there to my friend’s family’s house where I am staying. I looked like a struggling fool with all my bags and whoever took pity on me helped me out here or there. I’ve already been introduced to the forward manner of the people here. This one man on the bus was exiting in front of me and says “that’s a lot of luggage for one little lady. If I were a gentleman, I’d help you but I’m not… I’m homosexual.” Then he just walks off the bus. So that was a bit startling of an introduction. It was also a little bizarre when the cab driver didn’t get out and help me with my bags. A stranger saw this and helped me instead, haha, but in a country with no tipping, what can you expect.

I finally arrived to Jenna’s at 5pm. Her cousin’s house is absolutely beautiful. It’s very modern looking and immaculately clean. It’s in a town called Vaucluse and it’s on a hill that overlooks the water and you can see the skyline of all of Sydney. You can even make out the Sydney Opera House. Unfortunately though, there is no wireless internet so I’m only able to go online on the host’s computer which is hard to do cuz she works from it.

For my first evening here, Jenna, her brother, and I jumped a bus and went to Bondi Beach which is supposed to be a very happening, hip place. Walking along the water, and into the quaint town, parts of it made me think of vacation spots in Mexico. We had dinner at an Italian restaurant and then when to a bar where we met her cousin Robert for a drink. Other than that, I haven’t been able to explore too much yet, the weather is very temperamental. It was sunny when I got in, raining by the time I got to Jenna’s and sunny when we went out and now it’s very rainy and windy this morning. I haven’t experienced the hotness of Australia yet but I’m sure I will. (mom- I think I'm going to need the warm clothes so I’m glad we got them.)

Ok well I think it’s time for me to wake up Jenna and get the day started. Hope everyone is doing well, miss you guys!