Welcome to Sydney

Wow! So I've been here for 24 hours now. The best way to describe this city to you is it's a mix between San Diego and San Francisco. The weather was very nice, about 75-80 all day. But the sun is hotter here. There's not much of a ozone layer like we have in CA. So I have to wear tons of sunblock.

Marcus is super nice and friendly. He was so sweet to take me around the city and to Bondi Beach. He gave me an Australian basics course (at least that's how I felt). We went to lunch with 10 of his friends and had Dim Sum. Definitely not my favorite. They even ordered chicken's feet!!! No way did I try it. You could see the fried toes. Yuck! But I made due. I stayed with noodles and veggies. Even though Australian's speak English, their accents and words they say are so different, I really have to strain to hear what they say. I felt like Carrie in Sex in the City when she was in Paris with Mihkel and all his friends were speaking French and she just sat there smiling...that's how I was for a while.

Also just little things like turning on the stove or drying my hair, flushing the toilet and DRIVING.. it's all a bit different. But for the most part, it doesn't feel too foreign. Mostly Eurpeans and Australians. I only saw one American so far.

After lunch we went to Bondi beach and had a couple of drinks. We people watched. I just feel like I'm soaking it all in right now. Marcus helped me with an outline of where to go. Not follow all of the touristy places and go a bit outside of them to find the best beaches with not so many people. Bondi Beach was PACKED! I mean you could barely find a piece of sand to lay on. Not really my scene. And a bunch of kids/families. So today I'm going to book my flight to leave for Cairns. I'm going to stay here in Sydney this week and leave Sunday for Cairns to dive all next week and do the chill beach time.

Marcus is working during the day and his roommates or should I say flatmates are gone. This week I'm going to walk the local beaches, go to the zoo, cruise around downtown, go on a boat (Marcus's friend has one in the Harbor), throw some shrimp on the barbie, eat fresh seafood and sushi, and go to some clubs. Saturday is a big DJ house music festival in Sydney. Good times ahead!

The house I'm staying at is perfect! I have my own room, it's quiet and the view is spectacular! I can see all of downtown Sydney and the harbor and I'm 20 min walking distance from the beach.

If you need to reach me in an emergancy situation only, I can get texts. I can't guarantee the phone will be on at all times, but that's the best way to reach me or email if it's something not that crucial. I can't use my cell phone to call out, so I'll have to call from an Australian phone.

Anyway, I better get going before it gets too hot out! It's supposed to be 30 degrees today, I think that equals to be about 90!