By the time I post this, I will be in Australia.  The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind.  Fear, excitement and uncertainty stewed together in my stomach to make me more nauseous than I have ever been. That said, my drive and determination would have never let me turn around.  I want this too badly.  I want this adventure, I want this opportunity, I need this.  Too often I have let myself say, “you can't,” or “you shouldnt,” this time I had to pull a George and do the opposite of what my brain was telling me to do.  I have yet to meet an incomprehensible accent and I have had stupid good seating arrangements.  One entire exit row to myself and a rotating window with an incredible kiwi who diligently answered all my questions, calmed me with her stories and to whom I owe a great debt.

Lets rewind a second.  Everyone should get to fly into Sydney.  Here is this massive country.  A country that brags about its wild and wide open spaces.  But if all you saw were the airports in Sydney and Auckland you would never guess it to be true.  I can't do the approach justice but to boil it down you basically land in the middle of an industrial harbour.

I should clarify, I started writing this post while I was in Auckland. Im still awake and yes, I most certainly am in Sydney. This city is wild.  After I booked myself a hostel room and showered off I debated burning my filthy plane clothes.  The destruction of these pants will both lighten my load and I am almost certain that it will be impossible to remove the smell from them.  

The biggest challenge I have faced this far is keeping my mouth shut while I wander about the city streets amazed.  The older buildings in town are some sort of tan sandstone with incredible sculptures throughout. This city is also rife with two legged distractions.  Tight short summer dresses and blazers seem to be the in fashion and I have never seen so many horizontal stripes.  

It never fails, my feet will eventually lead me to water.  This harbour is everything advertised and a little bit more.  There is some sort of art and light festival this weekend.  Michael told me to take pictures but in all honestly I feel a little ridiculous when I bust out my camera.  How many thousands of pictures have been taken beside that opera house or the bridge? Both are incredible and no picture can ever do them justice. The bridge spans are impossibly long but seamless. A true testament to steelworkers skill and talent.  However, architecture really isn't my thing.  I will freely and easily admit how cool it is but at the end of the day I prefer seeing the horizon. I think the real architectural hook is this cities is history. Old government buildings have been refurbished into high class bars and boutique shops. Yet the outside facade remains true to the original design. I literally walked right into some sort of landmark flag pole downtown.  Just sitting in the middle of the sidewalk is this unassuming steel flag pole. The brass inscription cooly states that it was the place where the australian flag was first raised. To me, it was more interesting than the bridge or the strange opera house.  On top of that, there was no throng of Asians taking selfies in front of it.

Until next time, take it easy.