As soon as I stepped out the door of my flat in the morning, I realized I made a monumental wardrobe error. It was hot, humid, and sunny. Almost everyone was wearing shorts and flip flops. Thinking the weather would be cool (late March is autumn in Australia), I packed warm clothes for hiking—jeans and turtlenecks and only one short sleeved top. I never wear sundresses or shorts; if you’ve seen my skinny white legs you know why. Clearly the first task of the day was a quick shopping trip to find summer tops.
My flat was just off MacLeay Street, which is a trendy shopping area. I saw a dressy white t-shirt in a store window and popped in to look at it. The price tag was AU$119 (Australian dollars), which was $91.50 US dollars and way out of my budget. Just down the street I found a discount store and purchased a nice tank top for AU$10. My wallet and I were much happier with that choice, and I had a more comfortable top to wear on that hot day.
After changing into my new, comfy top, I explored the area near my flat, looking for things that were typically Australian.
My flat was just off MacLeay Street, which is a trendy shopping area. I saw a dressy white t-shirt in a store window and popped in to look at it. The price tag was AU$119 (Australian dollars), which was $91.50 US dollars and way out of my budget. Just down the street I found a discount store and purchased a nice tank top for AU$10. My wallet and I were much happier with that choice, and I had a more comfortable top to wear on that hot day.
After changing into my new, comfy top, I explored the area near my flat, looking for things that were typically Australian.
I spotted an Australian White Ibis in Fitzroy Gardens. It took me a while to figure out he was standing on just one leg.
Also in Fitzroy Gardens was a sign pointing to many destinations. Sydney is a hub for backpackers who are headed to some of those destinations.
Sydney's multitude of backpacker hostels have “street art” inspired signs.
As I continued to ramble, I saw a sign for Kings Cross Bakery’s homemade pies. I thought of American fruit pies and suddenly had an intense craving for a slice of apple pie, or cherry, or maybe lemon meringue. But Australian shops offer meat pies and beef and vegetable pasties.
Although disappointed that I couldn't order a slice of apple pie, I was a good sport and tried a pasty. It was the real deal. My dad grew up eating pasties, so I learned to make them with potatoes and rutabagas. Oh, the pasty and a lemon bar cost AU$12.50. It was expensive to eat in Sydney!
I saw pay telephones around Sydney. Lots of them. Even in Australia there are people who don’t have cell phones. I found that surprising because in the U.S. lots of young kids have cell phones.
Random thought: The Australian accent is fun to listen to but sometimes difficult to understand. I asked for directions to an internet cafe and was told to go to Steinwall. What? Steinwall. What? Steinwall. Like a “stein” in a “wall.” Okay, I finally got it! Stonewall! The Australian accent is definitely unique to Australia!
