Today I walked through the Rain Forest!

Today I took a train out of Sydney. I was absolutely delighted to get out of the city and away from the mobs of people. When I think of visiting new places, I don't tend to think about the steal structures that I will be in but rather the nature I will get to see.
After an hour and 20 minutes on the train I arrived at the Sutherland station where Tim and Renee were there to pick me up. We first headed to a pedestrian bridge (wish I could remember the name) that we debated whether to walk or drive over. Renee won Tim over and on to walking we got. We found there to be all sorts of padlocks attached to the bridge with names and wedding dates engraved on them. Some locks had additional ones added with names of children. Some people even had colour (that's how you have to spell it here) locks and some had chains to go with their locks. The view from the bridge was amazing. The waves broke on the ocean shore on one side while solid rock peaks were on the other. It tried to rain a couple of times, but not with much success.

After the bridge we headed over for lunch at Red Rooster. Do we have those in the states? I've never seen any. It's apparently Renee's favorite. Tim says chicken is the same everywhere. I really enjoyed getting to know Tim better and to know Renee. They are pretty humorous together.

Once we were done eating we drove over to the Kiama Blow Hole. Basically what it is is rocks along the ocean that have somehow managed to get a tunnel carved out of them, opening up a passage way for the waves from the ocean to spurt out of the rock, much like a whale's blow hole. Because there has been so much rain, the spurts were extremely high and you had to be careful not to get soaked. We had some good laughs at the blokes that did get soaked.

On our way out of Kiama we saw a trillion rainbows.

It was so nice to see the sky clear up. Apparently Australia has been in a drought for the past decade and all of this rain is very unusual. Tim was telling me that the dams have been severely low, under 40% full and that the rain was much indeed needed. I'm glad to hear that the rain was a blessing and not just a nuisance.

The rain forest had to be my favorite part of the day. The climb to the falls (Minnamurra Falls) was much needed strenuous exercise. But the view when we finally did get there was outstanding! None of us wanted to leave, but the park was shutting down and we didn't want to be locked in.

It was great to get to see a familiar face and have conversations with Christians. Tim works with camps that work with the local Christian schools and some of the public schools as well. I also got to talk a lot with Renee about Australian education, special education, and things around that topic. She is in college to be a teacher at the moment.

Tomorrow I go to my home stay. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. But I have no doubt it will be an amazing experience.

Goodnight to all of you! Sleep well.

A Day With my Girls

No class today, so Steph, Katie and I took off as soon as possible.

We were of course prepared for the rain but of course, the rainman won and by 11am we were drenched. I actually wrung my pant legs out and watched the puddles form beneath them.

After a lunch of wedges at Pontoon, we decided to head to the mall in search of rain boots.
HOW COME AUSTRALIANS DON'T WEAR RAINBOOTS???? There were absolutely none in the stores. None at all. It's been raining straight for a week, how can this not be normal? Alas...no boots for the rain. Feeling rather dejected in our sloshing pants and shoes, we continued our search for waterproof boots. Surprisingly enough, it led us to Uggs. And yes, today I purchased a pair of Uggs. I must say in my defense that I believe these particular boots to be of value to Michigan winters. A completely leather (water-proof) outer and sheepskin lined inner (toasty warm) along with a grippy bottom,  I think I am justified. But, of course, by this time I was so tired of soaking all of my pants and shoes through, I would have gone to any extreme to justify warm and dry feet.

The next exciting event of the day was catching the ferry to Manly. Because of all of the inclement weather, the heads of the waves are rather high. The ferry captain closed off all of the outer decks and asked everyone to go to their seats and hold on to their belongings. Rightfully so! I watched my brolly swing from one end of the ship to the other as we crashed into waves right and left. It was quite an adventure watching the ferry tossed to and fro in the waves. But, we made it through to the other side safe and sound.

As if THAT wasn't enough (being in one piece and all), the entire reason we were headed to Manly was so that Katie could go diving with the sharks. Yes, true story. After nearly losing her life at sea, she was about to risk it again to the sharks.

I am happy to say that Katie made it in and out alive. Terrified, but alive! The only regret on the night on her part was not asking the diving instructor (ie "Hot Chris") to dinner with her afterwards. Oh well, better luck with the Reef divers ;)

The rainy days don't go away

How is Australia a desert? It has not stopped raining!!!

I'm not sure if you can see, but Katie's umbrella is CLEARLY crippled. Mine didn't take too long to follow after.

These pictures were taken at Hyde Park yesterday afternoon. We got out of class early and made a break for the parks (most things around here close at 5 or 5:30pm!).
We split in two groups when we got to the Botanical Gardens. Katie and I wanted to wander the gardens while the other girls wanted to go to the point to capture the Opera House and Sydney Bridge in the same photo. Unfortunately, we didn't think of setting a meeting place and time and so we lost our comrades along the way.

The other attraction that Katie and I were set on seeing was Luna Park.  Let me tell you-it was quite the adventure getting ourselves to Luna Park. It went something like this:

Katie and I wanted to at least say that we tried to find our friends. We waited at the gates for 10 minutes even after they were closed. We decided to venture over to the Opera House to see if the girls were there trying to buy tickets. On the way over, of course out of no where, the rain began to come down. Lucky for Katie and I, we got drenched at Circular Quay the night before and had learned where the store fronts covered us from rain and where the underground walk ways were. Half way to the Opera House we decided to turn around. There was no way we would maybe find 4 girls in the massive crowds.

So, on to the train station. Milson's was the stop right before Town Hall and the park couldn't be too hard to find from there. That is, if it was light out and the weather was cooperating. Of course, it was nearly 6 and the sun was long gone for the winter night. And, of course, the rain just fell harder and harder. But, nevermind all of that, I am only in Sydney once and I will see all of the sights, even if the rain accompanies me the entire way.

On to the train we hopped with soggy shoes. But soggy shoes are nothing to complain about when the rest of your body is dry. It was quite the accomplishment.
At Milson's we hopped off the train in a torrential down pour to say the least. There was a sign pointing towards Luna Park and so we decided to follow it. Then the winds picked up. REALLY up! At one point as Katie and I were standing on a corner waiting to cross the road, our umbrellas went inside-out and Katie clung to the nearest pole. Yes, we really were going to get blown away.

But what does that matter when you are half-way across the world for what may be the only time in your life? Luna Park had to be seen! Onward-ho!

Needless to say, we were soaked to our undies by the time we reached the mouth. Completely drenched, yet still holding on to our stupid little brollies. 

Now let me tell you, Katie has a brolly complex. She seems to think that if she continues to hold on to it in the rain, regardless of the fact that it has poked a hole into itself, or that the metal structure is completely compromised, she wins. Here is a conversation we had on the train ride home as we sat in our own puddles looking like we went for a swim in our clothes:

Katie "I'm going to try to mend my umbrella. Duct tape fixes everything."
Me "You do realize that it's completely useless don't you? I think you're in denial."
Katie "If I throw it away it wins."
Me "Look at you! It already won!!!"

What is really important is that this conversation was frequently and abruptly interrupted by rounds of laughter and took about 5 minutes to come out of our mouths in-between gasps for air. I think the entire train thought us to be loony. But hey, it's completely normal to have umbrellas in your hand and be soaked to your bottom from the rain...isn't it...all for a photo that won't turn right-side-up!

I didn't get lost... But my luggage did!

Today we went to the Harbour.
Now, the wind and water and boats were all nice and dandy. But, by far, my favorite part of the day was eating wedges at Pontoons. You MUST try these sometimes. It's regular potato fry wedges. BUT when you dip them in sweet chili sauce and sour cream you have created a whole new way to eat potatoes! Believe me! If only for one thing, this would be the reason to come to Sydney!

PLUS not only did Pontoons have the best wedges ever, but they even had live acoustic music! Two men with their guitars. Life can't get much better than that. I was very upset when they decided they needed a lunch break. I mean, c'mon you're getting paid to play...not to take a break! Hearing good acoustic guitar and voices to match half way across the world made me fall in love. Not with anything particular, it's just that my heart felt at home, and therefore I was in love...I suppose with a feeling. Whatever. It was much needed!

my new BFFs

Another favorite part of Darling Harbour is Paddy's Market. This is definitely the most absolutely greatest place to buy souveners that ever existed! I got a zip up hoodie for $10!!! And I got 3 t-shirts for $20. You just can't beat that. And when you come from a family of 8 other people, places like these hug your pocket book, instead of snatching it away. Let's forget the part where everything is made in China...

Luckily enough for us today, we managed to find our way back to the train station and to Macquarie without a single ounce of getting lost. We were hopeful for our luggage to meet us at our doors. But, alas, it is still lost. Blasted Dallas. I would drop kick Dallas if I could!