sydney Keyword
End Times
Today over Sydney clouds have gathered, dropping the temperature and bathing the city in an grey glare. They spit light rain down on my shoulders as I walk the town I love. It is strange being back in Australia. The accents are jarring. I feel more comfortable listening to the Canadian across from me than the group of Australians behind me. I get frustrated at the jumbled and crowded sidewalks where no-one seems to know how to walk efficiently. I find it weird to pay the price on the menu, rather than expecting tax or tip.
The town is familiar, sights and sounds raising nostalgia, not just from 10 months ago when I started my Odyssey, but from years ago when I lived here. The roads I used to walk, the bars I used to drink at, the stores I used to frequent all remind me of good times, and the memories wrap me like a warm blanket.
It was just last week that I felt a horrible apprehension about coming home. I feared the large debt that awaits me and the thought of work, but today I feel excited and elated. In a few hours I should be stepping foot into Perth Airport and heading back to Glen Forrest. I am looking forward to seeing my family again, and to see my friends. I cant wait to see my dogs, my car, and my guitar. I want to rock out on my xbox, drop the burden of my backpack from my shoulders and sleep in my own bed.
Soon to bed, soon, but just one more bit of travel left.
Goodbye Sydney
Right now I am sitting in the boarding lounge at Sydney Airport. My feet itch with excitement. Out the window glitter the lights of Sydney. Lights I will not see again for about 9 months. Today I start the real Odyssey. You see, I am getting on my flight to Japan in about an hour. I am very excited, but still sad to be leaving the City I love most. I feel this way every time I leave Sydney. It is a magical place.
Goodbye Sydney, you shall see me again. One day.
Video Blog #3
Here it is folks, the next installment in the series of video blogs for this site. It’s a bit of a hodge-podge. Just a series of videos from the past few weeks. Just hit the link below and enjoy!
Manly
With everyone recovering from the huge night that was my Birthday, we decided to head to Manly yesterday. Getting around 10 people together and moving as one is a big enough ask at the best of times, but stick a bunch of wayward, hungover backpackers together, most of whom speak broken English and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
Our aim was to hit Manly around 11am. We didn’t leave the hostel till about 12 lunchtime, and then took close to an hour to walk from Central to Circular Quay. All this was in good fun, and we did finally make it. I spent a while on the beach, then headed to the pub for a couple of quiet brews while the others sunbaked.
We capped off the night with an impromptu barbeque on Shelly Beach with some great entertainment provided by Jamie’s massive cooking effort. Later I watched the stars and contemplated the infinite of space alone on the lookout at the Heads. At least I got the last ferry back to town, which cannot be said for the rest of the crew.
I can haz cak3?
I like the fact that humanity still continues to surprise me. Sometimes just the smallest actions on the part of individuals can completely restore your hope for the whole. On the evening of my Birthday some of the backpackers I had met (Joe, Lucy, Camilla, Jamie, Max, Pascalle et al) organised a surprise birthday cake at the Side Bar! They even got me a card signed by pretty much everyone who counts at my Hostel. Their little gesture made me feel so loved and provided entertainment for the masses at the pub.
I made some new friends that night, danced like I was possessed by the spirit of jazz and went to bed with a smile on my face. Best, Birthday, Ever.
Street Fighter Whoopage
Yesterday I got a chance to play what seemed to be a dodgy import of Street Fighter IV. I was wandering around an arcade in China Town and spotted it hidden in a Tekken 5 cabinet.
Now I must say that while I am a Street Fighter fan, I have never been that crash hot a player. I can seldom pull off moves and would have only won a handful of fights. I take joy in watching other players mastering the game, in awe of their speed and accuracy. Street Fighter IV is the perfect game for me. The animations, art style and backgrounds are a delight to watch. Players who dominate can pull off beautifully animated sequences and the dust, flame and brush stroke effects are fantastic. While some of the faces the characters make are awkward (such as the much discussed Ryu “o” face) the characters are big, beautiful and move smoothly between their animations.
At this arcade they had two cabinets linked, and I challenged a seasoned player. Needless to say: I had my arse handed to me within a few seconds. I tried the single player arcade mode, had a couple of wins before being thumped by the fat clown dude, Rufus. The controls were tight, smooth and the game very enjoyable. Well worth dropping a few bucks on.
Anyone who is interested in checking it out, and is in Sydney go to Galaxy World above the Paddy’s Markets at the top of Market City. I wasn’t allowed to take pictures, but I did get a sneaky video of my opponent which you can see after the break.
Lazy Days
Sometimes the days when you plan to do next to nothing turn out the best. A walk to find a guitar turned into a relaxing trundle through Sydney, stopping at a few bars for happy hours and quiet drinks. I said goodbye to my new friend over dinner and then hit the Three Wise Monkeys for dancing with some of the backpackers from my hostel. I got into the YHA soaked in sweat and exhausted. It was a roller-coaster of a day emotionally, but fulfilling.
I still don’t have a guitar though…
Saying Goodbye
One of the things I will never be able to get used to with traveling is saying goodbye. So seldom do we meet people with whom we form a strong connection with in our lives that to say goodbye is quite daunting. This effect is amplified in the arena of travel, where you have only days, and sometimes just hours to get to know a person. They breeze into your life, tidy up the place, rearrange the furniture, maybe paint a few walls, put up some art and then suddenly they walk out the door with the smallest of waves never to be seen again. You’re left staring at the paint drips on the carpet and the shattered glass they knocked over on the way out and your heart soars.
To all my traveling friends, where ever you are now: Thank you.
Press Start to Begin…
Well people, it has finally happened. At 12.45am this morning, Perth time I strode onto Virgin Blue flight DJ438 and started my adventure across the globe. What lies in store for me is not really planned. I am trying not to plan much at all. I have a basic itinerary of flights but they are subject to change. To put it simply I am winging it.
Right at this very moment I am sitting in the Railway YHA in Sydney, a backpackers I have enjoyed staying at a few times before. Much to my delight I found a picture I drew and stuffed into a glass topped table around July, 2008! While it seems much of the items that travellers feel compelled to leave under the tables have been removed, mine has been kept.
Is this a sign of how the rest of my adventure will go? I would hope so.