The Essentials

...Because my mom wants to know :)

17.07.2008 - 28.07.2008
View Melanie Down Under on Aussie Mel's travel map.

Hello from Sydney!

Alright, it's time for a few updates on my basic needs for survival:

Accomodation
My program sponsor put me up in the Sydney Central YHA Hostel my first two nights, which if any of you has spent time in a hostel, you will know can be fun and, at the same time, not conducive to long-term stays. Megan had to book her stay separately, so we weren't in the same room, and we each shared with three other girls and two sets of bunk beds. The communal bathrooms were worth it when considering that the hostel had a pool, sauna, movie room, several common rooms, and a view of the city from an upper level deck. But...however much fun it was to be in the middle of the city, after only two nights, we were ready to find a place to unpack.

Lo and behold, by the end of those two nights, Megan and I had found a place to live! Our luggage-clad travels between downtown Sydney (in the middle of a World Youth Day parade and the arrival of the Pope's entourage) is enough for a story in and of itself, so for now we'll skip over to the apartment itself. We are now sharing a cute little flat in the Double Bay area with two sisters, Jessica and Lucy. It's only a 2-bedroom apartment, so Megan and I are sharing a room, but considering that we didn't pack our entire lives into our suitcases, it is the perfect amount of space for the two of us. And how's this for a plus - it's about midway between the center of the city and Bondi Beach! Our roommates are very sweet, and I've discovered that Lucy shares my love for all things Jane Austen and Pride & Prejudice, so I believe we'll get along just fine.

Just for kicks, check out the crowd we had to fight to get our luggage-laden selves down to the train station:

Work
After spending most of the first week getting settled into our new home and figuring out the best ways to get around, we are ready to get serious about the part that will make our trip most worthwhile - making money! Er, I mean...getting to know more Aussies and their culture by working alongside them! Yeah!

Megan and I have had one real job interview each, and though mine said they would have a place for me, I haven't heard back as of yet. No worries - I've spent a considerable amount of time reworking my resume. Apparently, Australian employers like it if you spell things correctly. As in, Australian English...which bears more resemblance to British English than our more relaxed American spellings. Organisation, metre, centre, etc. Also, they don't use some of our educational terms, such as GPA's. Huh. Who knew?

Anyway, no job yet, but the search continues in earnest after I print out these resumes and dare to venture out in the rain. Will keep you posted. (Note to self: add umbrella to shopping list.)

Miscellaneous
Got my cell phone set up. Important for hearing back from potential employers. Also opened a bank account and got my Australian debit card. Wow - money in a foreign bank account. Sounds shady. I'll have to work on perfecting my innocent look. Which is difficult with Megan following me into the elegant bank lobby with a video camera. Looked like she was casing the place. (Another note to self: whistling innocently in a fancy foreign bank does NOT make you seem innocent.)

Found the local library, and let me tell you - the view is to die for! See a view of the courtyard below. Unfortunately, they won't let me get a card without jumping through hoops. Ah, well. I'll shrug my shoulders and remind myself that I didn't come to another country to hole up in the library.

Travel
We finally saw the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House the other day! We took a ferry ride across the harbour, and despite the wind & chill in the air, we had a blast! It's funny - I looked forward so much to seeing the Opera House, but it was the Bridge that floored me. It was magnificent! They have climbing tours and I'm looking forward to reaching the top one of these days!