Home away from Home

G’day! Well, I’m really starting to enjoy my time here. I’ve gotten into a bit of a routine with work, classes, and the sightseeing. I’m trying to become more of a “Sydneysider” than a tourist as much as possible. I get out and see different parts of the city each day, but I try not to get my map out except for emergencies. Although my camera is a bit of a give away, I don’t need my map as often and enjoy just walking and seeing what I find.
The Gay/Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival was a couple weeks ago. The parade was off-the-hook! It was just so different to see the churches, schools, police department, etc. all taking part in the parade to support the gay/lesbian culture. Sydney is known for this celebration because it’s one of the biggest of its kind. I have decided that I see more gay men than straight, which is unfortunate for me. And I am not just talking about the times I go to the gay bars with Cody.
Backpackers are everywhere here, like Japanese people and hippies. I enjoy meeting people from all over the world in this beautifully diverse city. I would assume there are so many Japanese people around because Japan is so close, but for some reason they all stay in our apartment complex. It’s kind of funny to watch them cram 20 people and their luggage into the elevator.
Many people ask about the nightlife here. Americans will ask how I like it and Aussies will ask how it compares to nightlife in the U.S. Sydney has heaps to offer when it comes to pubs and clubs. It seems as if there is something for everyone from relaxed local pubs to rave-like clubs at Darling Harbour. Whatever you’re in the mood for, Sydney has it. Aussies often go out a bit earlier than we do in the U.S. for different reasons. For one, the cover charges start at 10 p.m. and for two, they don’t “pre-game” to the extent that we do back home.
Although I feel like I’m on a three-month educational spring break, I traveled to South Australia for my spring break week away from classes and my internship. Fellow Beaver, Elizabeth Elgin, is studying in Perth this semester, so I met her in Adelaide, South Australia, and stayed with her and a friend of hers. It was nice to be around more Australian families and learn about the way they live.
Adelaide is known for its many wineries, so we visited seven of them. The most well-known is Jacob’s Creek which is even sold in the United States. We traveled all around South Australia to see heaps of what it has to offer. South Australia has been in a drought for a few years now, so while parts of the country have been flooding recently, South Australia is the opposite, if you were wondering. When returning, it was interesting to think of Sydney as home for the first time, and that’s when I knew how well I’m adjusting to the experience.
Lastly, the pepper spray I smuggled in is illegal here and since there isn’t a self-defense law here, I could possibly go to jail for using it. Awesome, right? I haven’t needed to use it yet, but I’m thinking I will go ahead and spray any creeper that comes too close and risk going to jail.