Wizards of OZ
G'day Mates!!
This is our first post since being in Australia (known here as OZ). We will refrain from using the Aussie slang in this text but will give you mini glossary of terms at the end.
14.5 hours on the plane was not all that bad. 4 movies, 3 meals, and 7 hours of sleep later we arrived into Sydney. My good friend Chris (who is studying medicine at the University of Sydney) was there to greet us, make sure we got to our hotel alright, and take us on an 8 mile walking tour of the city. This we definitely needed, although our legs felt dead. First off we headed accross the famous Harbour Bridge (they have climbing tours on the top rungs) where we saw great vistas of Kirribilli (where the Prime Minister lives), the Opera House (as seen in every photo ever put in books about Australia), some gorgeous parks with lots of activity (music, dance, tourists like us). We had breakfast in a neat outdoor cafe (most are neat and outdoor and offer Asian fair).
We quickly learned to look right instead of left before crossing the streets as they drive on the opposite side (and fast I might add) of the road. We toured some neat suburbs such as Surry Hills, North Sydney, Chatswood (where Elizabeth's office is), & Central Sydney.
There is a great Metro system here as well as bus system, although we haven't been on the bus.
The city has a great European feel with many foreigners, amazing architecture (brick), small streets, and music coming from pan handlers.
We had a great meal in the evening at a place called Thai Riffic and crashed early (we made sure we didn't rest all day--which may come as a surprise to many of you, ha ha) and slept through the night.
Yesterday was quite exciting. We toured the city even more, finding our apartment where Quintiles will be putting us up for 3 weeks. We searched out her new office by Train and foot, found a great market (similar to Whole Foods), had Sushi for lunch (lots of Sushi here), and trained it to the MediBank International Tennis Tournament here in Sydney at the Olympic Park. The matches were rained out so we toured the facilities (golf, aquatic, and more). Great venue with lots of activity, hard to believe it has only been there for a decade, maybe more.
We me some new friends and hit a swanky bar called the Cube for dinner and drinks. We toured Hyde Park (the Sydney festival is going on this month) where we heard music and saw faces being projected on the trees (produced by an artist who we think is in a mental hospital now).
The weather is in the 80's and today we're heading to the beach. Haven't see the ocean yet but looking forward to it as we will meet more of Chris' friends at a BBQ where there will be surf boards aplenty (haven't surfed in awhile).
Well, Elizabeth is asking if I am ready to go running and quit typing so I will ablige her & my body and sign off. Oh, below is our a mini glossary of terms learned thus far.
Cheers,
Elizabeth and Logan
Mini Glossary of Terms
Heeps=Lots
Breki=Breakfast
Uni=University
Barbie=BBQ
Keen=Fond
Give Way=Yield
Single=One Way
Cheers=Thanks
No Drama=Don't Worry
This is our first post since being in Australia (known here as OZ). We will refrain from using the Aussie slang in this text but will give you mini glossary of terms at the end.
14.5 hours on the plane was not all that bad. 4 movies, 3 meals, and 7 hours of sleep later we arrived into Sydney. My good friend Chris (who is studying medicine at the University of Sydney) was there to greet us, make sure we got to our hotel alright, and take us on an 8 mile walking tour of the city. This we definitely needed, although our legs felt dead. First off we headed accross the famous Harbour Bridge (they have climbing tours on the top rungs) where we saw great vistas of Kirribilli (where the Prime Minister lives), the Opera House (as seen in every photo ever put in books about Australia), some gorgeous parks with lots of activity (music, dance, tourists like us). We had breakfast in a neat outdoor cafe (most are neat and outdoor and offer Asian fair).
We quickly learned to look right instead of left before crossing the streets as they drive on the opposite side (and fast I might add) of the road. We toured some neat suburbs such as Surry Hills, North Sydney, Chatswood (where Elizabeth's office is), & Central Sydney.
There is a great Metro system here as well as bus system, although we haven't been on the bus.
The city has a great European feel with many foreigners, amazing architecture (brick), small streets, and music coming from pan handlers.
We had a great meal in the evening at a place called Thai Riffic and crashed early (we made sure we didn't rest all day--which may come as a surprise to many of you, ha ha) and slept through the night.
Yesterday was quite exciting. We toured the city even more, finding our apartment where Quintiles will be putting us up for 3 weeks. We searched out her new office by Train and foot, found a great market (similar to Whole Foods), had Sushi for lunch (lots of Sushi here), and trained it to the MediBank International Tennis Tournament here in Sydney at the Olympic Park. The matches were rained out so we toured the facilities (golf, aquatic, and more). Great venue with lots of activity, hard to believe it has only been there for a decade, maybe more.
We me some new friends and hit a swanky bar called the Cube for dinner and drinks. We toured Hyde Park (the Sydney festival is going on this month) where we heard music and saw faces being projected on the trees (produced by an artist who we think is in a mental hospital now).
The weather is in the 80's and today we're heading to the beach. Haven't see the ocean yet but looking forward to it as we will meet more of Chris' friends at a BBQ where there will be surf boards aplenty (haven't surfed in awhile).
Well, Elizabeth is asking if I am ready to go running and quit typing so I will ablige her & my body and sign off. Oh, below is our a mini glossary of terms learned thus far.
Cheers,
Elizabeth and Logan
Mini Glossary of Terms
Heeps=Lots
Breki=Breakfast
Uni=University
Barbie=BBQ
Keen=Fond
Give Way=Yield
Single=One Way
Cheers=Thanks
No Drama=Don't Worry
posted by Logan | 10:00 AM
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