Susan's visit - Part I: Sydney

I have no idea where to start; it has been so long since I have properly blogged. I know I have New Zealand to cover but lets start in Sydney first and work our way to the present before I go back and blog about New Zealand.

So this takes us to May 28th, after an incredible last two days in New Zealand. I arrived in Sydney at around 19:20 and caught the bus/train back into Central. I walked back "home' and had a massive smile on my face. I was walking a familiar route (north on Elizabeth St) towards my former house. I had text Susan and Xavier to see if someone was home to let me in, but I never received a response and I was hoping to have someone there. As I knocked on the door, Xavier came walking up the sidewalk from the gym. Adam, mate, how are you? Was it good to be back. He let me in, I dropped off my bags and chatted for a couple of hours with the housemates. I had arranged for $7 jugs with Emlyn and Jason before I even left New Zealand, so Ang, Susan, and myself walked the 15 minutes to The Great Southern Hotel ($7 jugs place as it is better known). We waited for Em and Jason to finish work and show up. Eventually they did and the reunion was in full swing. We were all drinking jugs and enjoying ourselves. NZ stories were told as were the dramas of the past 2.5 weeks at 265 Goulburn. It was good to be back as were our chicken salted chips we had on the walk home.

I had one day to prepare and get myself sorted before Susan arrived. Fortunately Stefani (my Italian roommate was staying at her boyfriend's place for two nights, so I had a bed at the house). I awoke early on Tuesday morning, did ALL of my laundry and had it drying by 9:00 in the morning. I had breakfast with Jason, looked at some of my photos and just chilled for the morning. In to the city I went to complete all of my errands (Select for my pay summary, BUNAC for some info, Australian Immigration to get a tourist visa, a tax place to claim my taxes back). As a nice break, I had lunch with Jason and Hannah at our favorite Chinese food court in Chinatown. Our hot black plate shop was closed so we were forced to try some new stalls. Good conversation was had (as Hannah is a Kiwi (from New Zealand)).

That evening I met Ang and we made massive omelets and went to see Half-Nelson. The movie was alright, the grub was incredible, and the company was brilliant. My favorite chat with her was how we both loved being able to walk to the grocery store, home, to the movie theatre and back home. No cars were needed!!! I hope I can find a place like this somewhere in the Twin Cities when I get back (I know they exist, but can I afford to live in those areas).

On to Petra's balcony for a good hearty chat with the housemates!

The next morning had me up at 5:40 in the AM to go and pick up Susan from the airport. Her flight was a bit delayed but none the less, she made it safely. We checked into our hostel, Base, and then I brought her immediately to 265 for some omelets and to meet some of the roommates. I had a busy four days planned for us in Sydney. Being she had such a short time there and it was my last week there, loads of meals had been planned. Our first stop was again my favorite Chinese food court. This time Xavier, Ang, Susan, and Jason came (a total of six of us). We sat for quite some time and just talked and enjoyed this amazing cuisine.

Internet for Susan to give the green light of arrival to her family and on to Circular Quay to meet April. We met April and walked to Harbor Bridge, the Opera House, and through the Royal Botanical Gardens. I enjoyed watching Susan try to understand all of my friends and their crazy accents (April has a pretty thick Scottish accent). We saw an amazing sunset tucked behind the CBD and the bridge (as it always is) and Susan was in awe of beautiful Sydney (rightfully so).

Off to another planned dinner. This time in Chatswood with Hannah at my beloved sushi place. It has been almost three weeks since I had sushi and had been craving it for quite some time. And, of course, it did not let me down.

Susan was exhausted and fell asleep mid sentence on the train ride back into the city, so I dropped her off at Base to get some sleep. I went and met some friends, had a jolly old good time and returned to 265 to pick up my big bag.

Thursday found us grocery shopping at my local grocer for fruit and yogurt. We were about to start a long walk (down Oxford St to Centennial Park, catch the 380 to Bondi Beach and then walk all the way to Coogee). Bondi beach was great as was the discussion and games we played along the way. For lunch I took her to the tasty Mediterranean place Eric introduced me to, Sebabbas. I had the spicy South American (with Ginger beer and chips) and Susan had the chicken kebab. Lunch was brilliant! From here we proceeded to Tamarama, Bronte, Clovely, and on to Coogee. We stopped along the way for some beach wading (the water was too cold for swimming), watched surfers, listed every person we graduated HS with (I am waiting for Susan to get home and verify our list with her yearbook), and started playing the "Name every US State" game. At the end of our walk we visited Ang at her shop in Coogee before catching the 372 to Central Station and heading back out to Chatswood for dinner at the Mandarin Center and octopus balls at the Thursday night Chinese market. We met Jason, Hannah, and Emlyn through the night before wandering through the massive shopping complex in Chatswood.

That evening we had drinks at the Dirty Canary with Em, Jason, Susan, and Antony. A good way to finish off a perfect day.

The next morning was another early riser, this time for the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb. We were going to climb to the top of the Harbor Bridge and it was a sunny, clear day! After about three and half hours of the safest climb I have ever done, Susan and I are were delighted. The views from the top were spectacular! Imagine every post card/picture you have ever seen of Sydney Harbor, and we saw it first hand. I had goose bumps just looking at the views. At the top I kind of decided I would really love to live in Sydney some time and need to do some research to figure out how I can make that a reality.

We went back to the hostel for some homemade pasta lunch, attempted to go to Watson's Bay (no ferries in the afternoon during the week), so instead took the long ferry (during sunset) to Darling Harbor. We had a nice walk through the harbor, past all the bars, restaurants, museums, shops, and about to open clubs. Susan really enjoyed the little parks and fountains and especially chasing the seagulls (or really watching me chase them). From here we headed off to Leichardt to Little Italy. We took the 436, got off, did some restaurant shopping, and found a nice little place where we shared a pizza. We were both pretty tired so we returned to the hostel, had a bit of a nap (until 23:15) before meeting the housemates at Macquire's Hotel. Some drinks were had and we eventually returned to 265. Susan went back to the hostel and the rest of us continued on (I invented the 5 minute drill to ensure Jason would get let into the Colombian). Another brilliant night!

Saturday: Our last day in Sydney. Today was market day! Our first stop was Glebe Market, the trendy, new-age, hip market. We wandered around for a bit, had some food, and I bought a jumper and some pictures. From here we went to the bustling and cheap Paddy's market. Susan did a bit of souvenir shopping and we also purchased some fruit. We returned to the hostel, had more pasta and garlic bread before going to the Rocks, an upscale touristy market. After about a 45 minute wander here, we headed back down to Circular Quay for our ferry to Watson's Bay. Susan was able to see some of the further stretches of the harbor and the very classy seaside mansions. Again, one of my favorite things to do in Sydney. We debarked and headed straight for the Gap. We watched the sunset from the cliffs and walked to the ocean-side light house. Susan took a bit of a senior picture photo shoot before we gobbled some fish n chips down on the wharf.

We were on a strict schedule as we had a birthday bash to attend. Susan (the Irish one) was turning 2* something... and we needed to be there to celebrate. The house was packed and we even had a special appearance from Phillipa. A cake was had and we sang happy bday in various languages, sparklers were lit, and Jason and Xavier had prepared a special song. Susan (USA) and I sang the National Anthem for Xavier as he had requested it the night before and many crisps were consumed (salt and vinegar...mmmm!!!) Xavier requested the Colombian and off we headed. We finished the night with some massive slices of pizza from Oxford Street.

I returned back to the hostel (Susan had left around 23:00) at an early 3:00 am to be up by 5:00 for our flight to Alice Springs. Another class night in Sydney.

And here ends Part I of Susan's tour. Very busy but incredibly fun.