Oh the wonders of OZ

After a very long journey from the US, I am here in OZ!!!! I am so excited to describe all of my experiences so far…

First of all, I don't like United Airlines. Don't get me wrong though, I love to fly! It doesn't bother me (apparently I was destined to be a world traveler!) Even so, I can't stand United. Why, you may ask?? I took a plane from Logan and I was sitting at the gate for about an hour. Mind you, there was NO air conditioning on this airplane. According to the captain, we had to wait because of "weather conditions". At this point, I was extremely restless due to the heat and wanting to start my long journey to OZ. Not only that, I had a connecting flight. Once I arrived in San Fran from Boston, I had an hour and ten minutes to jump on the next plane to Sydney. Prior to this whole episode, my mum and I had asked a United Rep if an hour and ten minutes would be enough time to make my next flight to OZ. Of course the United Rep told us it would be fine! So…. As you can probably guess, I missed my connecting flight. I stayed in a Best Western Hotel for the night close to the San Fran airport. The next day, my flight wasn't until 10:52 pm. So I had some time to kill. I explored San Fran a little bit, but only for an hour around the Civic center. I didn't like their public transportation, but I am a snob when it comes to public transportation. I have yet to visit a city that has better public transportation than Paris ;-)

As I was starting to become wary due to my bad luck at this point, my circumstances began to change. At this point, mind you, the nerves were starting to set in. I hadn't really been that nervous, but at this point it was creeping up on me. 'What if my luggage doesn't follow me?' 'What if Australian customs gives me a hard time?' 'What if this plane just sits at the gate?' However, once I got on the plane and shuffled down the aisle towards my seat, 50 D, a man was already sitting in my seat with his family. Of course, you can only imagine what I was thinking: 'What the hell? Was there a mistake? Do I not have a seat on this plane?' But NO WORRIES! This lovely man who was sitting in my seat gave me his ticket with a seat in Economy Plus (economy plus gives you more leg room).Finally God shined a light on me! Praise the lord! I was not destined to be cursed this whole trip! So I made my way to Economy Plus, a bit more cheerful than I had been. I ended up sitting next to a woman from Seattle and an Australian man! I enjoyed talking to them and explained my plans in Australia. The Seattle lady was fascinated with my decision to stay in OZ for 12 months (as are most people when I tell them about my OZ plans). She was also very generous and talkative. At the end of the flight she showed me a book of Australian slang. It was absolutely perfect she had this, because of course we talked to the Australian man about all the different slang. We kept on asking and giggling "Is this really what Australian people say?" Aussies call telephones "blowers" and red heads are occasionally called "blood nuts" or "Gingers" (although some Americans use the term "ginger"). Therefore, my 14 hour plane ride was not so brutal and I slept for almost half of the plane ride to OZ. Dramamine helped JUST A LITTLE BIT ;-) (Thanks mum!).

Just when I thought my nerves were settled down, they spiked a bit when at Customs. I wasn't sure what type of questions they would ask me. To my surprise, the customs official simply scanned my passport number through the machine without much of a glance at my customs questionnaire (the UK also requires you to fill out a questionnaire about your whereabouts and intentions in their country). The customs official gave me a big smile, and I was on my way the baggage claim. I had absolutely no problems at the baggage claim, even though I had to wait approximately 30 + minutes.

I proceeded through the airport and took the City rail so that I would reach my destination: the Central Sydney YHA. I had no clue what to expect from this place and I didn't know how close it would be to the train station. I had a lot to carry, so I prayed that it would go smoothly. It so happened that my hostel was two minutes away from the train stop.

For those of you who are wary of hostels (perhaps because of the movie Hostel?), FEAR NOT! My hostel is pretty decent so far. Regardless, I have been paranoid about my belongings. Flying solo puts additional pressure on oneself, but it makes you more awake and alert (I have been on an adrenaline high for the past 72 hours).

When I approached the desk at the Hostel, there was an Australian with dreg locks. He asked me some questions about Boston (I told him where I was from, because I don't much of a Bostonian accent). I am always impressed by how much foreigners know about us, but how little all of us Americans know about them. This Aussie knew all about the Celtics, Pats, and Red Sox. He put me to shame… I know nothing about Australian sports (this will change I hope!). I went up to my room, and I met a Japanese girl (who unfortunately was leaving). She told me a Scottish girl was staying in the room (I did not meet her until the following morning). So I proceeded downstairs and sat with my free breakfast in a café attached to the hostel. I stood out immediately because I spilled my OJ all over my tray (awkward new girl stands out haha). And so, a British man came up to me and introduced himself (spilling OJ apparently can help you meet people in case you didn't know wink wink). I told him I was from Boston and he said "OH! I know someone who is here from Boston!" The British man told me that some people (one of which was the Bostonian) were traveling up the east coast. Interested, I sat close to the British man and met the Bostonian. The Bostonian told me he was from the North Shore. He had been at the hostel for three or four days and needed a change of scenery. I was asked to join the journey up the east coast, but it was only my first day! I have things to do, I reminded myself, and I had to resist the temptation!

Later on, I rushed out of the hostel to see the famous Sydney Harbor and bridge. The bridge was spectacular, and once I saw the Opera House….. I really felt like I was in Sydney. It is the same feeling you get when look at the Eiffel tower or Big Ben for the first time…. you realize how real your adventure has become. I posted the pics above! They speak for themselves ;-)

I think the most fascinating person I have met thus far is a British lady who has been working in Sudan…. Yes… in Africa!! I couldn't believe it! As most everyone knows, Sudan has been experiencing quite a bit of turmoil. This British lady is a director of a program which teaches Sudanese people English. It's funny because we met in the ladies bathroom! Both of us are staying on the same floor and we have bumped into each other a couple of times.

Today, I saw Darling Harbor and from there I walked to the Opera house. I had a Corona and fish & chips…. Listened to some Aussies play Bob Marley. It was heaven ;-) It will be a good spot to take my visitors when they come to Sydney.

I have to phase out now… I am exhausted and need to take a break from typing. Feel free to write comments and thanks for reading ;-) CHEERS!!