Thursday saw Josh and I leave New Zealand, which was definitely a pity because I had such a lovely time there. Our flight was at the crack of dawn - which reminds me, lots of countries like to charge you for the privilege of leaving their airport, so be prepared as you pass through into the departure lounge (I never have any money left at this point).
I'd been planning to stay in a city hostel for a couple of nights when I arrived in Sydney to give me time to get myself together, but when I started phoning around I couldn't believe how expensive they were - especially since many of them were in very scummy locations. Eventually I plumped for a new hostel called Wanderers on Kent, and we fought our way through the rush hour traffic to get there. Fortunately, the hostel was worth the struggle - it was clean (including the showers!!) and new, the staff were friendly and the location was great! The only downside was that the rates were expensive, especially after New Zealand.
Josh and I ambled around Sydney and I reacquainted myself with my one-time home - although I couldn't help feeling that it had lost some of its charm after the quiet beauty of South Island. Later that afternoon I had to see Josh off at the airport - inevitably very emotional - and then I was alone again. I wasn't too worried about that as I was going to start work again on Saturday and then I had just nine short days left before I would leave Sydney forever and travel up the coast. Using the last five months as a guide, I was certain the time would fly by.
Later that night in my hostel I was desperate to go out somewhere - when I'm left alone the last thing I want to do is sit in a room. Unable to find anyone awake in the hostel, I headed to the bar next door where, after a short while, an Australian couple took me under their wing. I wound up having a very fun night that carried on into the small hours - and I got some good advice from the locals. I knew there were reasons why I loved Sydney.
The next day, in an attempt to clear my head, I walked to Circular Quay and caught a ferry to Milson's Point, the site of the North Sydney Olympic Pool. I'd promised myself I'd get back in the water, and this seemed like a good way to start. The greatest thing about this pool is that if you just turn your head while you're swimming (either indoor or outdoor) you find yourself looking across the harbour towards the city with the bridge looming large in front of it. It very nearly distracted me from the actual swimming, although I felt so relaxed in the water that there may be hope for me yet! This was also to be my last night in the city - as it happened a bed was available at my old place, and budget-wise I would have been crazy not to move back in.
My three hostel room-mates and I headed down towards the Rocks (the oldest area of Sydney) as one of them - an American girl - had yet to see the bridge and Opera House. After stopping for pizza at a small, crowded restaurant, we headed on to see Sydney's best-known sights. In the dark they are pretty spectacular and, though I didn't gawp as much as the others, I was reminded of how impressive the two structures are - especially the solid harbour bridge which dominates the skyline at so many points around the harbour. So Sydney is beautiful in its own way too.
I had to drag myself out of bed at a silly time on Saturday for the pleasure of work. My hostel has a 24-hour reception and big storage lockers which is fantastic, as I could actually check out and leave my stuff at 4.30am. My day at work was actually pretty enjoyable - as I'd been away, I spent most of it recounting details of my trip to New Zealand and catching up with everybody. I also got invited to the house-warming of a couple of work-mates, so later that evening, after dragging my bag back to Coogee and pretty much just dumping it in my new room, I headed back out to Kirribilli, an attractive area on the opposite side of the harbour bridge. It was a fun evening, although I bet the two of them were relieved that they had yet to acquire any furniture!
The disadvantage of going out with everybody you work with is that you all have to work the next day. That explains why on Sunday night there was a slightly ropy-looking group of us at the Jewish wedding reception. Actually I was quite keen to see it - I've heard they can be pretty lavish events and this turned out to be true. Such a lot of effort went into the evening: the ballroom looked like something out of a fairy tale, the guests wore some fantastic outfits and the whole thing seemed almost choreographed, especially the bride and groom's big entrance and their waltz together.
Despite it being a fun evening I was shattered, and very much relieved to be let off early - and also given a hotel room key! I had to start work at 4am the next day and luckily there was a free room, so that evening I got to stay in five-star luxury. Unfortunately it defeated the point of sending me up early - I was so excited by the comfy bed, shower and robes, big TV and tea-maker that I stayed up using everything and had less than two hours' sleep. Still, those hours were in the cosiest bed I've ever been in - which made it very hard to leave!
I made it through another long day and at the end of the shift it hit me - I've only got one more day of work after this, ever! I met this realisation with mixed emotions, but mostly with lots of anticipation for what the future holds.
That night was Sapphire and Dave's last in Sydney before they head on to Melbourne and then New Zealand - like me, they've been brought round to the idea of going there because everyone talks about it so much. They were staying in the same place as me in Coogee although none of us had really been in to see each other, so that evening we had a quiet dinner celebration - actually, we stretched to a three-course meal, but as the extent of the actual cooking was switching on an oven, I won't describe it to you!
On Tuesday I saw the two of them off for the last time until we meet England in September, and it then occurred to me that I had a day off. I was almost at a loose end - it's been such a long time since I've had a day to myself. Still, there are so many options around this city that I was really spoilt for choice. In the end I took the bus down to Bondi Junction - I hadn't been there for a while and the shops are good. I enjoyed a delicious sushi roll before purchasing the cookbook I'd been promising myself, then headed into the city simply to enjoy wandering around the ever-crowded streets. Later I cooked a beautiful vegetable stir-fry - well, OK, I cooked, which is achievement enough - and for once took it easy. Sometimes when I'm travelling I feel like I should be doing things all the time, but then I remind myself that it doesn't hurt to relax once in a while. Good for the soul.
Besides, the next morning my alarm went off at 3am - and for once it wasn't for work. Wednesday April 25 is Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day, a public holiday, and I was off to the city to watch the dawn Anzac parade. I'd been advised by the locals to see this commemoration of the day in 1915 when Australians landed on the beach of Galipoli. It was the first calling of the newly-formed nation 'Australia' and although it was an unsuccessful manoeuvre, it kindled the spirit of 'mateship' and the slogan 'lest we forget'. At 4.30am a crowd of thousands stood in the dark near Martin's Place Cenotaph, listening to readings and joining in with the singing. It was a moving event, and one I was glad to be present for so I could understand the heritage of my adopted home. After the ceremony the crowd flocked to look at the Cenotaph which glowed gold in the early light and had been covered in flowers. There are just 24 veterans still living and later that morning, as taxis transported some of them at the front of a parade, the crowd cheered wildly.
Because it was a public holiday I had the rest of the day to myself, and it was sizzling hot. My house-mates and I headed to the beach for a while, then, as one of them had a birthday, we bought a big picnic and joined several other friendly family groups in the sun at a beach-side park. It was an idyllic afternoon, full of good sun, good food and good drink. I slept very soundly that night.
Until next week (end of work, end of Sydney - and no idea quite where I'm going next!), Milly.
