Darling Harbor
First, I have a minor correction to make to my previous blog about my media tutorial. Education at the Uni level is not free, it is less expensive than what it costs to go to a state school in the US, but it still costs money. However, if you get a high score on the test you can get more scholarships. The test is called “UAI.” I would like to thank Andrew F. from my media class for kindly pointing that out, so “Thanks, Andrew.”
Today was the Darling Harbor adventure. I had only been there to see the aquarium and walk through it briefly with Robbie. This time, we went all out. For anyone travelling to the harbor, get off at Town Hall and follow the signs to Darling Harbor. It is so amazingly convenient I was even surprised. If you are down by the Circular Quay area anyways, you may want to take the ferry, which is a nice change of pace from either walking in the city of taking the crowded trains.
Cara, Dana, Kelly and I get off at Town Hall and walked towards Darling Harbor. I had never been in this way and I did not realize that there were so many different paths to get there. It is in kind of an interesting location. You have to go over or under a highway depending which way to go, but it is all very pedestrian friendly and well marked with red and white signs.
We make our way to the nearest Starbucks. I order something different for a change: a tall double skinny white mocha with whip. Bad mistake, it was quite possibly the worst coffee I had ever had. The barista must not have turned the cup on its side when he/she poured it so ALL of the syrup was at the bottom. Dana and Kelly’s were the same way, very disappointing Starbucks.
After that slight debacle, we headed out to go to our main destination for the day: Paddy’s Markets. On our way the best think happened, I looked to my left as I was walking and there was Aubrey Breard, a fellow student from Willamette who is studying abroad in Perth. It turns out she was visiting friends here in Sydney and it was just pure luck that we ran into each other. Anyways, it was a very exciting moment and I did not realize until then just how much I miss everyone back home and my little Willamette bubble.
We then made our way to Paddy’s Market. Dana and I waited outside for a little bit while Kelly and Cara ran to the ATM, during this brief time we saw two couples walk by one of the entrances and the female would see something through the door and say “Oh! Wait a second!” and the guy would give the same exasperated look of resignation. It was very funny.
And then came the experience that is Paddy’s Market. I am going to try to explain this to those who have never been there. It is this big warehouse-like building that is like the exhibition halls they have at county fairs. However, the whole building is packed with stalls selling articles ranging from cell phone covers, souvenirs, roasted nuts, to a $10 “dress.” It also has a very distinct plastic-y smell.
We started on the outside ring and then went row by row. I will try not to give away too much about how much I spent on gifts for people since I bought some for people who read this blog but you can usually find the EXACT same stuff for about a third of the price. For example, one item I bought at Paddy’s was $5 but in the store it was $14.95. Crazy! Anyways, it was a very successful day and I only have two more people to buy for but I have a very specific thing in mind so I am sure that will come eventually.
Next we headed back to the main part of Darling Harbor after having lunch at McDonald’s. For those interested, I had a 6 piece chicken McNugget with a water and a medium fry and I also bought the trivial pursuit game for a dollar. For those interested in my health, I did go the RevMaster, my cycling class, later that night to work off those calories.
Darling Harbor is pretty much the little sister harbor to Circular Quay, almost understated but absolutely gorgeous. It has a young feel to it while Circular Quay and the Rocks have a more rustic, time worn feel. This might be due to the fact that Darling has an IMAX and the state of the art convention centre but it just puts off a very different vibe from its big sister.
Then we stopped in at the mall to check out the more expensive souvenir shops there. I was not about to pay $15AUD for kangaroo jerky so I moved on to look at some other shops. I cam across this really cool store that sells Aboriginal designs and hand painted artefacts, and you know they are real based off of how much they cost. But some of the things they had in there were really unique and beautiful. For example, they had hand made candles and these brooches that were designed and hand crafted by two Aboriginal women. The different symbols meant different aspects of women’s lives from teaching to healing or Mother Earth. They were gorgeous. According to the sign, former President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton received the Women Teaching one on their visit to Australia.
After a long day it was time to head home. We were exhausted and it was beginning to rain. It was another amazing day out in the city, how I love Sydney.
After dinner and a good workout, Dana, Hannah, and I made a wonderful cake for dessert and we sat around singing camp songs. It was very fun and I realize I don’t have the energy to be a camp counsellor. Dana makes all of her camp kids learn “Don’t Stop Believin’” and sing it at a talent show. I have one word for that “Wow.”
As I sit here writing this, waiting to watch Mystic River with Hannah and Dana, I am starting to think I should become a professional blogger. Or write a book, like Carrie Bradshaw. People make money doing that now. As Hannah says, “Maybe you’ll get famous, it happens sometimes.”