Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Last day

Well it's finally down to my last day in Australia. Nichole and I have been staying at Charlie's house in Sydney this past week and a bunch of us went out last night. We didn't get back until two this morning, so hopefully I'll do a lot of sleeping on the plane. The place we went to was over the Harbor Bridge, so now I've officially driven over it, taken a train, bus and walked it!

Yesterday, I spent quite awhile doing laundry and trying to get my bags down to 23 kilos. It's not happening. There's no way I can get lower than 25. Our plan is to pick a line with a male attendant and do some sweet-talking at the airport. Just kidding...

The past week has been bittersweet, but I'm pretty excited to get back and see everyone. I'll start where I left off...

Last Thursday, I went to see Transformers. To know nothing about the plot beforehand, I was pretty satisfied. Saturday, I left Bathurst with a few dormies. It was nice to leave the dorm, but a little sad leaving everyone.
Monday, I went to see a frisbee tournament in Sydney because the CSU team was playing and that night, Pete and I went to dinner (I finally got the baked potato I've been craving!) and walked around Darling Harbor...BEAUTIFUL. One of those "I could live here" moments. The Opera House was lit up and there were all these lights bouncing off the water and fountains everywhere. We also saw two street performers that day: one was juggling fire and one was playing the flute. On the way back, we got a little lost and everyone kept telling us to go a different way...even the cabbies. We eventually found our way back.


The next morning, we went to another frisbee game and then to the airport to see him off. Wednesday, my classmate from Media Ethics, Adam, gave me a tour around Sydney. We went to Bondi Beach where they film Bondi Rescue and then to a cliff lookout where a guy was about to play his guitar. Next, it was off to Westfield shopping center at Bondi Junction, a ginormous 4-level mall. While we were eating lunch, the guy sitting across from us kept telling us how bad milk is for you. I need a little more convincing.

After that, we took the ferry to Manly and back and were going to go up to the Sydney Tower, but it was closed because it was too windy. In fact, some flights were delayed yesterday because of the wind, so I'm hoping it doesn't pick up today. Along the way, we saw a tap dancer and a guy painting on the street. I wonder how much money these people make.

That night, Charlie, Nichole, Mary and I went to this place called Crows Nest to watch the State of Origin game. Apparently, it's always between New South Wales and Queensland; I thought it included all six states. New South Wales won this time! That was also the fourth of July, so Nichole and I had a "woo hoo, it's the fourth of July" moment. I'm sad I missed fireworks.

So now I'm sitting here while Nichole is braiding my hair, almost ready to leave for the airport. I think I'm finally ready to be back. On Monday night, while Pete and I were right in front of the opera house, I thought I was going to cry. I really want to come back here soon...But of course, there's no place like home either. (Where are the ruby slippers?)

I have spread the word about Facebook, though, so I hope it'll be easy to stay in contact with everyone. Everyone has told me to keep in touch and to come back to Australia and that's what I plan to do. Some said they would come visit, haha. Oh and I finally finished my DVD of Australia pictures and it's quite long. It takes up the entire DVD and that was only a tenth of my pictures.

I'll write when I get back, but for now I have to pack up my computer and go. Cheers!