Hello hello! How’s everyone doing?! Leave some comments so I know that you’re there, and, if you want to see anything in particular, let me know!

Ok so we have to start with last night. Got in relatively early last night. The flight was supposed to arrive at 5:40PM but we landed at around 5:00PM. I took a train from the airport to the center, around 15 minutes for $18.70 ASD ($14.02 USD). Luckily the hostel was only a 2 minute walk from the train station exit. I checked into Bounce Sydney and made my way to the room on the third floor (in the elevator, naturally).

No one was in the room(!), so I was able to get organized and ready fairly quickly. Unpacked and put items in the closet, locked them up, took a shower, and headed out on the town. The folks at the hostel were really helpful in suggesting local watering holes, as I told them I really wanted a nice cocktail before dinner.

Made my way over to Button Bar, and spoke to Anna, the tender of bar. Let her know that I prefer bourbons and ryes, and she made me a rye sazerac. Refreshingly stiff. I ordered some cheeses too. They had a brie (obvi had to get it) and she also recommended the compte to accompany. She toasted up this bread (of which I could have eaten an entire loaf), and brought them out.

It was getting to be 9:00PM, and I had yet to eat a proper meal. Anna suggested I head to Maybe Frank, a pizza spot who’s (whose?) owner is a friend. They also have all you can eat pizza for $20 on Tuesdays and were voted in the top 10 world pizzas a couple years ago.

Before heading over I thought I’d have oneeeeee more drink (due T-Pain and Luda) and then eat somewhere. I made my way over to Clock Bar, and got another old fashioned. I met a nice group of gentlemen who were kind of enough to invite me to join them. They they proceeded to tell me all of the things I needed to do when here, even in the appropriate order. They were super helpful.

It was a school night for them so they had to head back home. I then made my way over to Maybe Franks for pizza. The walk wasn’t too far, probably around 12 minutes from the clock bar.

Walked in to all types of Italian being spoken (loudly), long dark hair, and lots of cheers and laughter. The place was warm.

I sat down at the bar, and ordered El Capitan, a cocktail with Pisco, mezcal, and some bitters with a vanilla infused cutting agent. It was pretty tasty. I ordered the grilled vegetable pizza and it came with a side salad. Note, the side salad was loaded with basil and oregano. Tasted good, though.

Dug into the pizza, as you can tell, before documentation. The best part was this roasted eggplant that was way flavorful. I didn’t think I’d be able to eat the whole pizza, but put it away. Apparently they only offer an additional pizza once one is completed for the unlimited deal. There was no way I was going to be able to get a second.

They even have a slice of Nutella covered dough for dessert which I had to promptly pass up, I was too full.

Made my way back to the hostel and got ready for bed. Knocked out and was hoping to be able to catch some of the BEL vs. FRA game, the only semifinal of the WC that I wanted to see. Didn’t happen. Slept right through it.

“Yea, sorry mate”

SO that brings us to this morning. Didn’t sleep all that well because of this a**$#@!# sleeping above me. First, dude walks in and WAKES ALL OF US UP asking where his shower stuff is. I, half sleep half awoke, told him to ask the people at the hostel as they probably took it if something is left. Moron.

THEN, this guy has the audacity to keep his phone ‘on’ during the night, not on silent. I never knew someone could receive so many text messages throughout the night. My man must have so many frandz, his social media gotta be poppin’. Not only that, dude has precursors to sleep apnea as he was SNORING. The trifecta of terrible this dude was. Then he had this LOUD A** alarm going off, literally saying “It’s 6:55 in the morning” progressively louder and louder. I was getting so angry at dude. Complete disrespect and disregard for the hostel/roommates, a no no in my book.

I ended up getting out of bed at 7AM (also potentially because in NZ it would be 9AM), and dude started to move about. He woke up, and I asked him in a politely stern tone “Can you put your phone on silent tonight?” to which he replied with “yea sorry mate”. I will wake him up tonight if it isn’t. Maybe I’ll as him if he’s seen my shower stuff to boot.

Due to the morning kerfuffle I did a little extra Y&M this morning. It was great, the sun was shining in the common area of the hostel, and it was an interesting experience doing the Y&M with other people around chatting and doing their thing. Took a little getting used to, but was for sure wonderful.

Got showered up and made my way out. Found a nice little breakfast spot called MO Surry Hills (neighborhood where I’m located). The sun was just SHINING so wonderfully, and the air was cool yet warm. Sat down outside and got some tea. Then got this pesto hash brown poached egg dish. Everything tasted really good, though I could have done with more pesto and less carbs, lesson learned…for tomorrow!

Was deciding between the umpteen things dudes at the bar were talking about, and decided that today I’d do the opera house and be a gold star tourist, as well as check out the botanical garden.

Left the eatery and made my way into town for around a 30 minute walk to get to the opera house. My goodness it was BEAUTIFUL outside. I was just smiling taking in the sun and casually making my way around town.

Then, I got down towards the opera house, and it was truly a site to be seen. I’m sure some of you have been down here, but pictures cannot do it justice. Especially with the weather and the sunshine. Unbelievable. You can see the harbor, the bridge, the botanical gardens to one side, and water to the other. Truly wonderful.

Wrapped up at the opera house…and GOT A TICKET FOR AN OPERA TONIGHT! Rigoletto is going to be performed, and I couldn’t resist seeing an opera in the opera house. Don’t know when I’ll be back here, gotta carpe all those diems.

Made my way into the botanical garden. Really beautifully organized and, with the sun pouring over, made for a really enjoyable walk.

They then had what’s called the Calyx, a separated greenhouse where all types of pollentaiton/education happens (as I walked in they had a small class for children). I walked into this greenhouse and it was like being trasnported into some type of magical space. The air was slightly humid and sweet, with myst pouring in from above. Really beautiful flowers, too, with an entire wall.

Walked out and made my way over to Juvenille Coffee for a quick perk (c)up and a chance to swoop on some internet to start writing this post! Going to head to see if I can find a scarf (really should have brought one) and then have dinner before making my way back to the opera house for the evening’s main event.

Stopped into “Made from Earth” and got a nice scarf to help keep the throatals warm. It really made all the difference. The wind last night was kind of brisk, especially down by the water.

Went over to The Grounds of the City for dinner. Really interesting space, tucked into what we might consider a kind of strip mall in the city. Had a kind of diner-y feel to it. Menu seemed decent. Got an espresso martini that was really good, and also very perky as it were. That plus the coffee previously had me feeling good!

I originally wanted a vegetarian pasta dish, but they brought out one with lamb. It was supposed to come with artichoke hearts so I thought oh, they darkened them. By the time I realized it was meat it was already too late, I had eaten most of the dish, whoops.

Got wrapped up at dinner and made my way back over to the opera house, around a 30 minute walk. Went to the Opera Bar which is below the venue on the concourse. Went to eh bar and ordered and old fashioned and found a seat outside. I wanted to sit on the proper tables/benches but they were all occupied, so I found a spot on the concrete (with a soft cushion) that bordered the promenade. Had some really nice views of the opera house and the water lapping up against the concrete.

 

Then it was…showtime!

Walked back up into the venue and had a glass of pinot noir…bad choice. Also, ALSO, the dude who took my money and served me didn’t give me my change. I thought, did this dude just think I was tipping him? Mind you there were no tip jars. Then I noticed that he gave everyone else their chance. Confused, I spoke to his (brown) colleague and he told me that accepting tips is frowned upon. And turns out that dude who kept my money is the BOSS of that particular set up. I spoke to dude, rather Timothy, and he said that it was the “heat of the moment” to which I said “nonsense” but whatever, I WAS GONNA SEE SOME OPERA.

Walked in and took my seat. Lots of red everywhere, too, as you walk up to take a seat.

The show started, and the production was crazy. The curtains opened so quickly, and the stage, although appearing small, was some type of lazy-Susan-esque rotating thing spinning around. It moved between at least 4 different ‘stages’ and the details were immaculate.

The story followed a jester, a duke, jester’s daughter, a guy who curses them, an assassin, and the assassin’s sister. Dude curses both jester and duke, duke falls for jester’s daughter, turns out he was just playing her, daughter knows he’s going to die and takes his place. The end.

Ok I didn’t make it seem that spectacular, but my goodness, it was SO SPECTACULAR. THESE PEOPLE CAN SING, the harmony between them was unreal, and there was a little telepromptery thing translating all the Italian. Knowing Spanish helped in certain instances, but the singing of the words still made it kind of difficult. It was three acts, and the second was rather short, but by the end you were really blown away. What an incredible experience.

Left the venue and walked back to the hostel, around 45 minutes. I had all of the hambre because I ate dinner at 4:30PM. Stopped in this one spot that was thankfully still serving food (it was around 11:30PM), got a couple tacos…and some fries…and two sips of beer. Got back to the hostel, showered up, and tucked myself nite nite. What an incredible first day! Really thankful for all of the experiences, and especially being able to see such a wonderful production at the opera house!