Before my departure I was feeling confident that my perceptions of Australia would be pretty accurate, so I packed all the Aussie essentials. Of course, this meant including my boxing gloves for going twelve rounds with a kangaroo and customised utensils for daily ‘shrimps on the barbie’. Most importantly though, was squeezing in a sick bucket for when I was inevitably forced to eat the infamous ‘Vegemite’ which has fuelled the nation since 1923.
Upon my arrival however, I was distraught in the realisation that only one of these stereotypes was true, with Vegemite truly being the most disgusting substance I have ever tasted in my life.
Although disappointed by the lack of public fights with Roos, Australia definitely leaves a positive impression on you from the moment you touch down. Although I now find myself two weeks into my stay down under, Sydney is still catching me off-guard with every turn. This is because, unlike some cities, Sydney does not have a lone distinguishing feature that defines its character. Instead, its multi-dimensional personality is an amalgamation of factors nearly as diverse as the people who live here. The perfect example of which being that each district is significantly distinguishable from the others, each street varies in appearance, and every house has its own character and style. A welcoming change from the rows upon rows of identical houses found throughout the U.K.
Of course the constant presence of the sun, regardless of temperature, plays a large role in influencing how you feel about the city. Continuous serotonin gains from soaking up those rays makes for a nice change to the British weather patterns of raining, or about to rain. As such, although it is technically the very early start of spring in this side of the world; trips to the beach have been regular occurrences, quickly followed by witnessing some of the most breath-taking sunsets one could imagine.
Due to its location, it would be easy to presume that every day is spent fighting for real estate on the golden beaches, and although this wouldn't be a bad way to live, it would be a complete waste of what Sydney has to offer. Instead, fitting into the Surry Hills lifestyle with brunch at Cuckoo Calley, exploring the hidden bars in the CBD, as well as the fun game of explaining the correct pronunciation of the Queens English are all some of my new favourite past times.
Although Sydney is as close to a perfect modern day city as one can get, it is not without its flaws, and some pretty big ones at that. $17.50 for a block of halloumi and $9 for a 330ml bottle of standard lager leaves an emotional scar each time you swipe your card. However, with the Coogee to Bondi path here to help me walk such overbearing stresses away, it is safe to say the first few weeks of exploring this city have been truly rewarding.
Sydney has me hooked, and I can’t wait to find my next adventure.