Michelle in a Stranger Land- Part 2

There are some pretty nifty things about Sydney- it's very beachy. I am at heart a beach bum and some of my happiest and most peaceful moments in Australia were at the beach.

Living in Toronto that is one thing I do hunger for- the ocean. I'm not sure how to corrollate living near the ocean and having all the wonders of a big city on hand.  Part of me hoped that Sydney would provide that for me, but it wasn't meant to be.

There are somethings about Canada/Toronto, North America/New York City that I am unwilling to part with. Really efficient mass transit is one of them, I don't think it's a secret that the transit in Sydney is pretty bad. And having to travel through the city every day was enough to set my teeth on edge-Literally. I spent most of my time on the bus gritting my teeth and wishing everything would explode, because then, at least, I would be off the bus.

Efficiency in general seems to have a lower priority in Australia- which is fine- I guess. But that just makes me feel uptight and I have realized I quite like being the relaxed one in my city relationships. I think it has to do with its proximity with Asia- where there is a buddhist- it will happen... eventually... attitude and you have to go with the flow.

As someone who has struggled with the notion of patience all her life, this was a bitter pill to swallow. I am sure there was/is a great lesson to learn from all of this- but HA HA I am not only impatient, but stubborn and I refuse your lesson universe- this time.

But what about the goods? The positives? The yeah let's do THAT again. Alright eager readers- here are THE GOODS.

The beach- oooh the beaches are sexy and delicious and the water is warm and the surfer boys are hawt. Even on mass transit you are only an hour max away from a great beach at any one time. I hit the biggies, Manly, Bondi, Coogee- Coogee being my fave I think. Although having a drink at the Bondi Beach Bar was pretty wonderful.  I spent a couple of fun times at Coogee- one night out with Deb and her friends drinking vodka in the sand and late night swimming and then some even later night dancing.

Australia Day- which I feel happy to have been around for, was spent at Collins Beach a little bay in Manly and that was just awesome. Great people, delicious picnic food and plenty of swimming. I might have burned a little, but it was worth it. 

A side note- Aussies are much more like American's than they are Canadians- which isn't a bad thing, they are out going and a proud people and really think they are the shit. I did NOT wear my Kiwi pride t-shirt in Australia. (even though I wanted to- go All Blacks!!)

The People: the people and friends that I had and made here are great. I really do miss hanging out with Pili Pie and Deebs and meeting the group of friends they have made there. Interestingly I made friends of my own and they were all from Melbourne- I think they are just a friendlier breed. I will say that Karen and Xanthe- who are amazing and wonderful- are from Sydney, they may be the execptions that proves the rule, but I'm a better person to have known them.

Deebs- Deb is human prozac. I mean she's not insanely happy all the time, but pretty close and you can't help but being really happy when you are around her. She is absolutely the most positive up beat person I have ever met in my whole life. And she likes art! A pocket friend of the highest order. Plus we have the same shoe size so FINALLY someone I could share shoes with!

Pili Pie- Pili is awesome- how else can you describe her? Fashionable, tasteful, good singer (as I found out), generous to a fault. Without a doubt the best times I had at the publishing company were when Pili and I shared an office (and would sneak off with LeMar to the lake for "lunch") and it was so nice to spend every day time with her. She and Clif (who through the 2 degrees of separation that is Van. Isle-we went to school together) let me live in their place in Glebe for cheap cheap. I've had instances of living with couples that makes me want to run in the other direction, but this was not so. They are awesome- awesome flatmates.

Jenn with two n's- The most fun and wonderful Aussie I have met. I just really super duper love her. She taught me the saying "prawns" and introduced me to her super fun flatmates as well. Really I just want to package her up and bring her over to Canada so she can hang with the cool kids here! (pictured with Matti)

The sour cream- it may seem a bit weird, but this sour cream is just unreal. It's like crack- cow crack. I would do ANYTHING to get this stuff over here. That's right- ANYTHING.

Pineapple Lumps- technically a Kiwi delight, but everyone knows that Aussies appropriate all things Kiwi (until they screw up)- hello Russell Crowe. Imagine pineapple mallows covered in a thing layer of chocolate. Just waiting to make love to your mouth. If coffee is unavailable for marriage, I think that Pineapple Lumps are my "Settling Soulmate"

And we'll leave it there for now- next up... MELBOURNIA