Second day in Sydney

Going to Sydney

I have already met two older Australians that remember the influx of Canadian and US 
teachers.  One of them had some when he was in high school.  It is nice to hear so much English. Makes it easier to know what I am doing.

The approach to Sydney from the air is indescribable.  I recognized the opera house, harbor bridge and other landmarks.  The ocean was calm and beautiful.  Words really do escape me.

Driving was scary.  And that is a mild description.  It took every bit of concentration that i had. Everyone I have told that I rented a car and drove here has remarked that I am certainly a brave person.
I gripped the steering wheel so hard for two hours that my arms ached.  A 45 minute trip took two hours.  Had to stop for directions at a convenience store and asked a man for help.  After he finished with the directions he said, "now, just stay in the left and don' t go over 30 km an hour.  It doesn't matter if you are going slow."  The road is a straight shot to Newscastle and not much traffic but I am not driving back to the airport.


Unbelievable! I found my three Aussie roommates from 30 years ago.  Joyce is just as I remember her.  We had dinner together last night.  Talked nonstop.  We compared memories about our joint trip across Asia and found we do indeed remember lots of incidences the same.  As expensive as Japan was I think Australia is more so.  No free wifi here either (except in McDonalds which is across the street).   
   Linda is coming up from Melbourne on Friday.  We have had parallel lives so far apart.
There are elections here for Prime Minister.  Accountability in education is a big issue.  One of the candidates is a very attractive woman.  Not  a candidate we have had in the US yet.  

I am staying in a Courtyard Marriott in Macquarie Park.  It is a much nicer one than I have seen anywhere.  Has a full dinner restaurant and very nice people.
This hotel has lots of Asian guests and now I am watching them figure out how to negotiate breakfast.  One woman couldn't figure out how to get the coffee out of the urn by pushing the button  I am not sure she even knew it was coffee.  My recent experiences needing helpbecause of language encouraged me to help her and I was rewarded with a big grin of thanks!
Another man made pancakes and then picked them up like a sandwich to eat them. Have heard no English from any of them.  Ashley is the name of the young man running the restaurant.  Alex is the bartender.  She and I had a talk about Facebook.  It is winter and 20 degrees Celsius out.  People are eating on the patio but they think it is very cold.   I think it is totally refreshing.  Last night Joyce told me to be sure to bring my jumper because it would be so cold out.  I took my light jacket and then was hot. 


Children...the same everywhere at the young ages.  A two year old boy is running around like wildfire.  Parents cannot get him to sit down even for pancakes and syrup.  An older woman sitting by herself is shaking her head at him and the parents who really don't know what to do.

Today, Sunday, I hope to take the train into Sydney to the Opera House and Circular Quay and take a ferry ride to Manly.  Not sure what I am doing on Monday.