Happy Times

Baggage handlers shut down airports

Massive power blackout brings Sydney to its knees

Guess which 2 lucky travelers where affected by the above headlines during their first 5 hours in Sydney, Australia?!?! If you guess Jason and I, you are absolutely correct!!

We arrived into Sydney Airport on March 30 only to be doused with a teaspoon of airline baggage strikers, and a dash of blackouts. The first news paralyzed us because we were given no information as to when we'd receive our baggage, other than "later". With no clean underwear, sleeping clothes, toiletries, and clean clothes for about 2 days, you can imagine how much I didnt love Sydney.

We finally got our luggage yesterday night-I have never been so happy to see my heavy backpack!!

So far, Jason and I have walked through Darling Harbour, Chinatown, Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House, visited the Sydney Aquarium (highly recommended) and met up with Diana, one of Jason's friends from Accenture. Sydney is one of the prettiest metropolitans I have been in, but unfortunately, it is as expensive as NYC, which was one thing I was realllly hoping to veer away from during our travels. Luckily we've got a rental car and will be driving up along the western coast towards Brisbane over the next 8 days.

Interesting things we've learned about Aussies from personal experience and from Diana (Chicago native, studying in Oz for past year)

- there is no such thing as customer service here. no one "can be bothered" to care about your problems, as demonstrated by our suitcase situation.

- Quay is prounouced "Key" and Cairns is pronounced "Canes"

- They abbrviate everything here. Instead of saying "thanks", they say " ta"

Nevertheless, still having a grand old time and eating lots of chinese food and blending right in with the rest of the Asian immigrants here :) We're told that as we leave Sydney, we'll be in redneck country so we're saddling up!

Jennifer