Queen of the Kookaburra.

"Living a Day Ahead: Australia"

Well, I've finally made it (alive). After a 'quick,' 14 hour-flight to Fiji, and another five hour flight to Sydney I am actually here. First, Fiji is amazing. From the airport, it looked green, tropical, and gorgeous (even though it was raining). I have to go there at some point in my life. The flights were semi-ridiculous. The first one was sooooo full. I swear at least 700 people were on the plane (which was huge). Nadi, Fiji is the place where people fly to and then go to other destinations like Auckland, Brisbane, Asia, Sydney, or Melbourne. I was very tired (and needed a shower) by the time I arrived in Sydney. My VISA worked, I got through customs with all my heavy vitamins and herbal supplements (barely, the guy thought they were drugs or something), and then took the train three stops to my hostel (which cost me $13; ridiculous).

Even though it is the end of summer here, Sydney has been overcast. Yesterday (Feb. 6th), it was so bright and sunny that I got sunburnt seeing the sights. I have met a nice girl from Germany who has been in Australia for the past 6 months, and who plans to stay even longer working. She studied abroad here during her equivalent of high school, and came back before attending the University of Berlin. Although I absolutely adore Sydney, she keeps telling me that Melbourne is better in many different aspects. So far the list of how Melbourne is better includes: food, coffee, cafes, transportation, museums, festivals, people, and much more. She lived there for four months and worked as a waitress (and made $30 per hour!!). She just received a job living with a family and working as an au pair (nanny). For those of you who don't know there is a rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney is like L.A., and Melbourne is more cultural (think SF, Boston, or New York). But so far, I just adore Austalia in general. The people are very friendly and nice.

Yesterday we saw the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the botanical gardens, opera house, the rocks, and much more. Today we went to Manly Beach by ferry, but after 10 minutes at the beach we had to a cafe because it began pouring... I still enjoyed it though.

The time here is 19 hours ahead of CA; so if it is noon on Feb. 7th, it is actually 5 PM on the 6th in CA...

I have so much more to say, but my internet time is running out (I am at a cafe)... I will write more later :)

Miss you all...

P.S. I am homesick for Berkeley; I have been bragging about it to everyone here :)

posted by AMB @ 10:10 PM