Sydney at Last!!!

Hello all!

I arrived in Sydney in one piece. My flights were great, only 40 minutes late out of the Twin Cities but everything else went smoothly. LA airport is a mess and really chaotic, but the four hour layover offered me enough time to pick up my luggage, recheck it in, bring it to the security screeners and then make sure it gets back to the airline desk. The 11 hours to Fiji went very quickly, being I slept most of the time. I tried to watch the Illusionist but I could not stay awake. I walked off the plane in Fiji at 5:00 am local time to 75F and darkness. Five minutes later I watched the sun rise over the small mountains of Fiji. I sat outside on the tarmac for about an hour watching the sun rise. On to Sydney I went.

Sydney is beautiful. After checking in and walking around a bit, I decided to go for a run. I went north from my hostel to a park and followed a couple of trails. After about 10 minutes I looked to my left and BAM, there was the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. I stopped and just stared for a bit. Once my jaw was able to close, I started running again and made it about half way around the harbour. My short run turned into two hours! The harbour is spectacular!

I have started exploring some neighbourhoods as well. I have already taken the bus and the train with no problems. I spent yesterday afternoon rewarding myself. My goal for my first day and a half: 1. attend orientation; 2. open my bank account, deposit money, and get my bank cards; 3. get my phone up and running and buy a charger. I completed all three in less than 24 hours so decided to spend the afternoon at Cooglee beach. I laid in the sun for a bit, listening to my I-pod, walked along the beach and the cliffs, stopped and read while listening to the waves crash and watching a couple of surfers, and watched the sunset while eating fish and chips! What an afternoon/evening!

I concluded the night with a train ride to New Town to see Eric's place, drop off a suitcase, and tour High Street in New Town. We had two beers- New Tooley's Extra Cold and an Amber Ale. Eric and I have been out both Thursday night and Friday night; it sure is nice to see him again (he starts travelling in about 3 weeks, so the time is short).

Jet lag has not been a factor. I have slept the hours here I should be sleeping and waking up with no problems. Any way, I head to Brisbane in a couple of hours to visit Sara. Sara is a friend/coworker in London and she is home until the 8th. I will be there until the 7th. I will then return to Sydney and begin the job search and flat search.

Alright, I am off to enjoy the beautiful, sunny weather before my flight. I am having an incredible time!

I will post more later!