I have to say, coming from a bucolic life in the woods, it’s been an adjustment hearing all the city noises. Pretty much no matter where you are in the city, the noise is unavoidable. Even with all the windows closed, you can hear the trains in the distance and cars on the roads, revelers on the sidewalks. Apartment living is not something I’ve done in years either, parties on the first floor, doors creaking open and slamming shut. It is exciting but will need time to adjust and get used to it all. Fortunately since it is an older building, it’s pretty solid and absorbs alot of the noises!

So yesterday, Sunday, I got alot done but started feeling a little overwhelmed. Here I am alone in this foreign country, in a city where I do not know a soul. Everything was becoming a huge effort without a car, no internet and new area to become acquainted with. Thank God for the computer in the convenience store nearby. I mapped out a route to the closest hardware store, Bunnings (like a Home Depot but on a slightly smaller scale) in St. Leonard’s.  Took the train from North Sydney and walked a short distance to the store. Bought a few basics, cleaning products, hardware and some potted lavender! Returned home and scrubbed the bathroom and kitchen and finished assembling the bed frame, a huge accomplishment. What a difference, sleeping in a clean bed OFF the floor. Washed the bed sheets and blanket, so much more comfortable now!

If the benefit of not owning a car forces you to walk more, I also found there are positives to not having the internet available every waking minute. In fact, as inconvenient as it was, I found it rather refreshing. I brought a few books and magazines I’ve been wanting to read, and started with Greek Fire, a guilty pleasure that I can not put down. I’ve also been writing these journal entries everyday, something I’d wished I’d done on other trips I’d taken. This time, I said, I’m going to stay committed to writing about our experiences living here. It would be regrettable otherwise, to not document this once in a lifetime opportunity, living in one of the most fascinating countries on the planet!

Our new bed: