AspiringNomad

The enormity of moving to the other side of the world and settling into life in Sydney only came to light when I realised it’s taken me 3 weeks to try and put into words the highs and lows and moments inbetween that have shaped my existence in this amazing city! I decided to give up on that blog entry and try again with a new approach. If I tried to write about everything that has happened in the last 10 weeks, I would burn myself out almost as much as what I did actually doing it. So I’ll try my best to keep this as concise as possible. If you are a regular reader (can I be bold enough to say that yet?) You’ll be used to me saying how lucky I am to be anywhere other than the UK but Sydney really is no exception. I dont know how long honeymoon phases usually last, and I might still be in mine with Sydney, but nevertheless I am in love with this place and I hope I can give you a little slice of why I am enjoying my time here so much!
However, I’d only be fooling myself if I didn’t admit that the drinks after work, trips to the coast, early exercise classes, late facetimes and the general inability to say no to any social occasion has left me rather exhausted. But you’ll be pleased to know I have realised that sleeping and rest is actually very important and I’ve caught up on some much needed r&r in the last couple of days.

I woke this Sunday morning at 6:00am and was greeted by a big cockroach in the bathroom. If I have learned one thing from being here, it’s that cockroaches exist and they are everywhere! So, the sooner you get used to them, the better. Luckily, there is always some Mortein Bug Spray nearby, so I apologised to the cockroach, did the deed and continued on with my morning. I made a coffee in my travel mug and packed up my kindle and walked to Prince Albert Park just up the road from me, to settle on a bench and enjoy my book as the sun rose up above the high rise buildings.
As I sit there for about 1.5hrs, countless numbers of runners passed by, people walking their dogs scattered across the park, two people were playing tennis on the courts and a group of people were playing basketball in the distance. All before 8:30am.

For the most part, I feel completely different to how I did when I arrived here. A few weeks earlier, just round the corner from Prince Albert Park (that I didn’t even know existed) I was dropped off at the Mecure hotel. In utter bewilderment that I was actually here, my adrenaline pumped and despite being tired, the excitement of arriving lead me straight back out into the city to inhale everything it had to offer.

Without much thought and not knowing where to go, I went straight to Mc Donald’s and Facetimed Mum and Dad. I couldn’t stop smiling and despite being on the other side of the world, I didn’t feel that far from home. Mum and Dad were sitting outside their caravan in sunny Spain (sipping wine, no doubt) and everything felt right with the world. My spirits were high and I don’t think I have come down since.

I’ve realised that Sydney has a lot more to offer than a Mc Donald’s at Darling Harbour. However, that first walk through what I now know as the area of Haymarket, will be one I won’t ever forget. A group of people chatted together in their lycra and roller skates on. Music played from a stage nearby. Fire lanterns lit up the pathway and intermittently roared in sync with one another. I walked past the Library and the ICC up to the Harbour. The city lights of the CBD lay just ahead of the me and the whole experience felt surreal.

From then on, I had to throw myself into becoming accustomed to city life. I found somewhere to live, I started a new job, I joined the gym and started an Aerial class. All that was left to do was enjoy being here and see as much of it as possible.

On my last few days of freedom before starting work. I decided to head to Bondi Beach. A name which holds so many assumptions and conitations to it. I trundled through unfamiliar suburbs on the bus staring out of the window soaking up the surroundings until I breached a hill that exposed the bright blue Pacific Ocean ahead. Surfers, dog walkers, volleyball players and runners filled the coastal suburb. I had heard that there was a walk between Bondi and Coogee that was meant to be picturesque. I wandered along the pathway, which was bustling with people enjoying the public holiday (the only thing the Royals are good for). After about 90mins I arrived at Coogee Beach. Personally I much prefer this beach to Bondi. Although it has a good reputation I feel that Bondi is somewhat over rated. Coogee is much quieter and better kept and I spent some time relaxing on the beach before finding the route to head home.

I find it strange to think that I barely used public transport in England and now it is my only way to get from A to B. Don’t think for one second that I always get it right, as there has been plenty of occasions where I have been on the wrong bus or train, missed my stop or had to walk further than anticipated because I have read the directions wrong. Just last week I got on the wrong bus to work and half way there the bus driver called out ‘the is the last stop!’ I had only gone about 3 stops and still had another 4 to go. I had to rush to another bus stop to grab the next bus passing through that was going into the center! It’s all a learning curve but I am fully embracing it.

Ive been surprised mostly by how some of those old Australian stereotypes exist in this place. It’s true, people do greet you by saying ‘how’s it going?’ Which I must be honest, I’m still unsure how to answer. The fact that 18° in the sun here is deemed as cold weather is making me rather concerned for summer. Without doubt, every time I go to the beach, there will be at least one person barefoot in a wetsuit with a surfboard tucked under their arm, running towards the beach. I still haven’t figured out what the hurry is, but it’s a gentle reminder that I am in this beautiful country that felt like a different planet from England that I only saw on the likes of Neighbours or Home and Away!

A month after I arrived, two new housemates moved in. Wojceich (pronounced voy-tek) and Jordan. On the first night they arrived we headed to the pub opposite the house, The Chippo Hotel. I can only assume they have abbreviated Chippendale to Chippo because that’s what they do here! We had a couple of drinks and played pool not knowing that we were just starting the beginning of our good friendship. We then started to do everything together; meals out for Sushi, gym sessions, trips to the arcade, brunch at the cafe next door. You name it, we did it together! It was this that really made this place start to feel more like home. I was able to explore with other people and discuss the weird Australian things we had seen. My new friends helped me settle in more than they realise! Jordan and I, one wine filled evening decided to book a spontaneous trip to Jervis Bay. After 8 weeks of living in the central city and not leaving a 20km radius (because why would I when I have everything I need here and a full time job) I ventured 3hrs south in our hire car, which was a dark green Suzuki Jimmy to an area known for its white sand beaches and marine life. We had booked a Dolphin watching trip from the Bay and stayed the night before in an Airbnb where I could hear the crashing of the ocean waves from my bed. It was the first time in a long time that there were no cars, or trains to be heard and it was beyond blissful. I hadn’t realised that I had become to accustomed to the background noise of the city. But being in a rural area made me realise, you can take the girl out of the countryside but not the countryside out of the girl. I loved being away from it all and breathing in the fresh air. Our boat tour started at midday and we weren’t disappointed. A pod of about 5 dolphins swam near to the boat for a while. It was so beautiful to see them in their natural habitat, peaceful and playful. We then drove another 20mins south to a well known beach called Hyams Beach. It was dreamy, as if I had put a white filter over my eyes and the sea, the sky, the sand everything had this heavenly white glow. The beach stretched for maybe 3 km and we wondered along with our toes in the sand for a while before deciding it was time to head home.

The last time that I entered Sydney, I was seeing it all for the first time. As we approached the the city lights this time, my heart filled with happiness. This beautiful place lit up in all its glory was now my home and I couldn’t be more proud of myself. We stopped at a humble Italian pizzeria in one of the southern suburbs and I devoured a huge pizza before arriving back to Abercrombie street.

Despite having to work, I have managed to find time to explore. The botanical gardens and the view from Mrs Macquaries Point is one of my favourite places. My commute on a Tuesday up to St Leonards is by far the coolest way to get to work as I cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge via train along with all the other commuters. Manly beach and Freshwater Bay are by far the best city beaches I have visited. The first time I went to Manly, I naively thought it would only be a short trip, but from mine I have to take the bus or train to Circular Quay then grab a ferry across to Manly which takes about 30mins. I went to a coffee shop to get a drink and something to eat then pondered along the promenade. As ever, the surfers dotted the sea and a little way along, a stand and some gazebos had set up opposite the waves to commentate through speakers. I sat for a while with the other spectators as the judges cast their opinions on how well the surfers were doing. It was probably the most Australian thing I have seen since being here but I loved it. I had no idea whether the surfers were good or not but it was very entertaining to watch!
There is a fine line, I have found, between thinking your on holiday, exploring, eating out often and having a good time and remembering that you have responsibilities, a full time job and bills to pay. I am not sure if I have found that balance yet, but I have promised my bank account that it’s all worth it and so we continue as normal until things settle down.

I feel like my blog wouldn’t be complete without mention of some aimless scrolling on the dating apps. Of course, as you would expect, curiosity got the better of me and after about 6 weeks of putting it off, Arron was right, I couldn’t resist. I downloaded Tinder and Hinge and had a little peruse expecting to find blonde hair and tanned skin surfers filling my screen. Instead, I was met with a bunch of guys that looked no different to what I was seeing in England. (I blame Home and Away for getting my expectations so high!) I checked every now and again and eventually matched with a very handsome (not that I am bias) Italian guy named Michele. After a first date fit for a chick flick movie complete with a scooter ride through the city at night and a couple of drinks at the rocks, we now meet up fairly regularly. Meeting his friends and seeing some really cool places in the city has made this place feel even more familiar!

I am now fully emersed into being here and I am still loving every second of it. It sounds silly but every day, something happens that makes me so grateful for being here. The ongoing support from family and friends and the regular facetimes and phone calls keep be going and I am very appreciative to everyone who is always there for me on the other end of the phone! Moving to Sydney is one of the best decisions I have ever made!

I am now back in my room after my early excursion and need to get ready for the day. Wojciech and I are heading to the Cat Cafe in Surry Hills to pet some senior rescue cats and then going to the markets at the Rocks.
I’m heading out to the Blue Mountains on Wednesday, weather permitting and most of all really looking forward to a visit from Mum and Dad at the beginning of October!

I miss my friends, family and Rollsy more than anything but experiencing this life and all the things over here somewhat softens the blow of not having everyone ‘just round the corner’. Tomorrow will mark 10 whole weeks from when I arrived and it seems strange to think that I have been here longer than the length of time I was in Asia! I have so much planned and with summer just around the corner I have been promised on multiple occasions that it’s only going to get better. So, watch this space as there is plenty more to come!