In the midst of the busy season, I have been fortunate enough to have been allowed a two-week vacation leave by my employers to go to Sydney. It was my first solo out of the country trip, sans immediate family, and the farthest I have visited to date, hence it was what I would like to call a major move towards adulthood. BUT hold your thoughts! If you're thinking solo as in backpacking in the woods by myself, err, sorry but no! I have 2 aunties and a cousin living there so solo is up until the plane ride only. =) Nevertheless, it is the closest I have experienced to having no mummy, daddy, or sibling on call 24/7 so it will do.
Thanking family
This post is about giving thanks and here are the people closest to me that I am thankful for:
1) My Parents - who see me as *ehem* a responsible grown woman hence, allowed me to go on that trip by myself. Thank you too for driving me to and from the airport. And of course for ****drum roll please**** financing it. :)
2) My sisters - Czarina and Golda, who I constantly pestered into helping me shop and pack my maleta. I was expecting a really hot summer so I brought along a lot of shorts, leggings and dresses. But, the girl scout in my sister Golda warned me of rain showers and cold summer nights (she's been doing the research for me) and insisted that I bring along my umbrella and some scarves. Lo and behold, I arrive to a crazy Sydney summer weather where one minute it's scorching hot, the next, it's pouring like Manila.
3) Tita Rochie and Tito Ed - For the moral support, tours, accommodation and endless treats! And for lovingly treating me as their daughter despite the scare I gave them the first night they let me wander the streets of Sydney alone and silly me forgot to text my whereabouts. To top it all off, my phone battery died at around 10 in the evening. But no worries, I arrived home unscathed!
4) Manong Vinco - For the dinners, picnic, long talks and for just being the wonderful cousin that I've always known. Will you let me drive your car next time?
5) Tita Imelda - For working your magic on my VISA, the lunches and for being very supportive all throughout!
Thanking friends, even strangers
The wonderful thing is, it is not only family that I have to thank the Lord for - even random strangers who should never have any care for me but were kind enough to bother and ask how I am.
1) Berna Rica - For dinner and the sleepover! Four years ago, we were just seatmates in CPAR. Never had I imagined that we'd be seeing each other outside the country. Sa Sydney pa! Soshalan.
2) Mg Reina - For making me feel welcome. And for making Epping a home I now look forward to going back to. I look forward to your stories. Yikeee. :)
3) To the big, burly Australian at the airport, who I secretly call Hagrid- Well you guessed right, mate! When you saw me struggling with the pay phone, I was starting to worry if my aunt forgot to pick me up at the airport. Thank you for approaching me and offering use of your mobile phone even when I said, "No thank you, I'm okay," the first and second time you asked. Too bad I forgot to get your name because I was already too excited when I saw my Uncle Ed.
4) To Tito Manny - A friend of my pop, who spent an entire day with me and for welcoming me into his beautiful home.
5) The lovely Filipina in ANZ bank - For assisting me with so much hospitality, and for offering me your umbrella when it was pouring out.
6) To the brother-sister tandem from Woywoy - For being nice enough to walk me to the train station when I only asked for directions. And for seeing me get off my stop.
7) To the train station marshals who let me pass through even if I had the wrong tickets.
8) To the handsome Swedish tourist I met on the ferry going to Manly beach - For seating beside me. For talking non-stop. For appreciating the Philippine beaches. For being handsome. But why didn't you get my number? And why didn't I get yours? Hahahaha. =)
And to everyone I've met but my poor memory cannot now remember, I am thankful for allowing me to see Jesus in all of you. :))
What I loved about Sydney
1. Obviously, the people :)
2. The scenery. Lots of it.
3. The clean public toilets
4. With reference to number 3, there are always toilet papers
5. The fresh air!!
6. Organized transportation system.
7. Museums
8. The diverse culture.
Do enjoy the photos...
Exploring Sydney CBD with my aunt and uncle.
They say that the Chinese New Year Celebration in Sydney is the biggest one outside of Beijing so I stayed around for the parade.
I was too Ilocano to pay for guided tours so I joined one of the free walking tours. Very educational. :)
A visit to Katoomba!
Manly and Bondi beaches - where people come in all shapes and sizes, just as any other beach.
Taronga zoo - where I honestly felt like I was a kid once again. And where an entire day is not even enough :)
Thanks Sydney!!! I'll be back. :))
Happy Easter, everyone!!
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| Look at me, drenched from the rain. No complaints, tho. |
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| This has been home for 2 glorious weeks. |
4) Manong Vinco - For the dinners, picnic, long talks and for just being the wonderful cousin that I've always known. Will you let me drive your car next time?
5) Tita Imelda - For working your magic on my VISA, the lunches and for being very supportive all throughout!
Thanking friends, even strangers
The wonderful thing is, it is not only family that I have to thank the Lord for - even random strangers who should never have any care for me but were kind enough to bother and ask how I am.
1) Berna Rica - For dinner and the sleepover! Four years ago, we were just seatmates in CPAR. Never had I imagined that we'd be seeing each other outside the country. Sa Sydney pa! Soshalan.
2) Mg Reina - For making me feel welcome. And for making Epping a home I now look forward to going back to. I look forward to your stories. Yikeee. :)
3) To the big, burly Australian at the airport, who I secretly call Hagrid- Well you guessed right, mate! When you saw me struggling with the pay phone, I was starting to worry if my aunt forgot to pick me up at the airport. Thank you for approaching me and offering use of your mobile phone even when I said, "No thank you, I'm okay," the first and second time you asked. Too bad I forgot to get your name because I was already too excited when I saw my Uncle Ed.
4) To Tito Manny - A friend of my pop, who spent an entire day with me and for welcoming me into his beautiful home.
5) The lovely Filipina in ANZ bank - For assisting me with so much hospitality, and for offering me your umbrella when it was pouring out.
6) To the brother-sister tandem from Woywoy - For being nice enough to walk me to the train station when I only asked for directions. And for seeing me get off my stop.
7) To the train station marshals who let me pass through even if I had the wrong tickets.
8) To the handsome Swedish tourist I met on the ferry going to Manly beach - For seating beside me. For talking non-stop. For appreciating the Philippine beaches. For being handsome. But why didn't you get my number? And why didn't I get yours? Hahahaha. =)
And to everyone I've met but my poor memory cannot now remember, I am thankful for allowing me to see Jesus in all of you. :))
What I loved about Sydney
1. Obviously, the people :)
2. The scenery. Lots of it.
3. The clean public toilets
4. With reference to number 3, there are always toilet papers
5. The fresh air!!
6. Organized transportation system.
7. Museums
8. The diverse culture.
Do enjoy the photos...
Exploring Sydney CBD with my aunt and uncle.
They say that the Chinese New Year Celebration in Sydney is the biggest one outside of Beijing so I stayed around for the parade.
I was too Ilocano to pay for guided tours so I joined one of the free walking tours. Very educational. :)
The powerhouse museum -
A visit to Katoomba!
Manly and Bondi beaches - where people come in all shapes and sizes, just as any other beach.
Taronga zoo - where I honestly felt like I was a kid once again. And where an entire day is not even enough :)
Thanks Sydney!!! I'll be back. :))
Happy Easter, everyone!!
