I think most people might have expected that we would be settled in quickly with our new lives here but honestly, it’s been a pretty rough start. We’ve been in our apt for a week and still no fridge, gas to cook or internet access. Without a car it’s very difficult to get around to buy the essentials and set up house.
We moved into our new digs on a Friday and Jim flew out the next day to teach in Tokyo so it’s been a bit challenging for sure. His trip this week was bad timing but this will be the nature of our new life here, lots of travel and adventure! The first time traveling to Japan was eye-opening for Jim. Japan is a very clean, pleasant and conservative country. In a professional setting, they have a tradition of exchanging gifts with their guests. So Jim bought some very nice, high-end chocolates to give to the consultant of the company, in exchange they gave him a bottle of Japanese black raspberry wine called Bokbunjajoo. Haven’t tried it yet but looking forward to it.
I discovered the library in North Sydney, an oasis and refuge for wireless internet access where I’ve been able to catch up with emails and bill-paying. Amazing how much problem-solving can be done with an internet connection! Also checking out second-hand stuff for sale on Gumtree, like our Craig’s list. Yesterday I bought a local phone to be able to make local calls as needed and started to coordinate the utility hookups.
The utility companies are difficult enough back home to deal with but now in a foreign country, it has been exasperating. I tried to connect with one, Origin, but I was not getting anywhere with them.
Update: We also finally got a refrigerator, yay, no more coolers full of ice! Decided to rent one for only $19/month, alot less hassle. And after several days of no cooking gas, EnergyAustralia finally turned on the gas and I cooked my first meal using the oven’s stovetop, voila, beef and veggie stirfry!
Love our new neighborhood. Took a walk along Lavender St. at dusk, this place is beautiful, day or night.
Finally, it’s worth noting that even though we are living in an english-speaking country, we are quickly learning the many different Aussie words and phrases that take on a whole new meaning. So with that in mind, each day I will write a word or expression at the end of each blog post. Then all my readers will learn Aussie too. And if you happen to be Australian and reading this, feel free to offer any corrections or additions that I overlook! G’day Mates!
“Good on ya” = good for you
Our new fridge
Our side gate to Lavender St. w/ the beautiful city skyline across the harbor.
Today I discovered the largest bat I’ve ever seen and it was hanging from a power line. Never a good thing for sure. Poor thing was dead but since it was hanging upside down and that is normal behaviour for them, I wasn’t sure for a few days. After some time it was pretty apparent that it was deceased, a victim of a rainy night flying, sadly they fall victim to electrocution too often.
Fascinating creatures, there are actually three species of flying-fox found in Sydney. And, no surprise, I learned they are Australia’s largest bat. They are also very important pollinators and seed dispersers for the health of the fruit trees and forests. Unfortunately they can also wreak havoc in people’s gardens here and many people view them as pests and disease carriers. Like all animals, even humans, bats can host viruses and parasites, however, only one person has ever died by the lyssavirus here and the Hendra virus has never been contracted by anyone through a bat yet four people died by contracting this virus from horses.
Here’s a close-up of the dead flying fox. For days I watched it hanging, wondering when it would finally fall and hit the sidewalk or some unlucky person below. Unsuspecting runners, walkers and brides with their bridal parties would walk and linger under the tattered animal.
In the end, what is one’s misfortune in life becomes another’s dinner as this sulphur-crested cockatoo demonstrates or at least attempts to prove.
Today I am anticipating Jim’s return from Tokyo, his first trip to Japan. We Skyped a couple of times and he just loves it there. Thinking about food as we are headed out for a nice dinner in McMahon’s Point tonight. We discovered this quaint little neighborhood recently and it’s only a 10 min. walk from our apartment. It’s a much quieter neighborhood than where we live on Lavender St.
Earlier today I received a notice from the mailman to pick up a package from the post office. I could barely read the handwriting though and had no idea where to pick it up! I asked my new friend Vera downstairs if she could read it and fortunately she recognized that it was McMahon’s point. So glad I brought a copy of my lease or the gentleman at the post office would certainly not have released the package to me as I had no other way to prove where we live!
Yay, it was our modem so we could finally connect to the internet. That was the good news, the bad news is because everything is so slow here, we have to wait for a technician to come out to connect us. :-/ Today is the 29th and the tech can’t get out until April 7th – ouch!! Back to the library and convenience stores for computer use for another week….
On a more positive note, we LOVED this Spanish restaurant we discovered on Blues Point Rd. in McMahon’s Point, Delicado Foods. Photos below (taken at night w/ an iphone, NOT very good shots but still worth posting.)
