Day Six: June 11th, 2011

Prompt: Reflection of Day One in Sydney and compare to other cities, such as Chicago (summary of the day included in reflection).
         Today was one of the longest days of this trip without feeling like it. We got a chance to explore Sydney, catching glimpses of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. Going up to the top of the Sydney tower was beautiful, and I realized just how absolutely huge the city is. I was surprised that I could look out the window at the city around and underneath me, and in that moment not be afraid of heights. I think I just get that way when I know I'm in a place I probably won't ever return to; I don't have time to be scared because that would be taking where I am for granted.

          We got a chance to visit the Rocks on a Saturday, meaning that the weekend street market was going on. There were tons of vendors, ranging from jewelry to clothing to wood carvings and corn on the cob. Even though it was raining, it was an experience that was definitely worth while, and it was a plus that part of the market was covered by a large tent. After the Rocks, some people opted to take the subway back to the hotel, while I chose to walk in the rain with a few others. Nobody had anything more than a cardigan or sweatshirt, and we soon made friends with acquaintances who gave up their hoodies for us girls. It was nice to see how we all worry about one another, constantly yelling that the other was going to get sick. The walk may have ended up taking an hour rather than the expected fifteen minutes, but it definitely helped us to bond. Some people sang in the rain while the rest of us just talked to people whom we had rarely ever held full conversations with in the past. Traveling hafway across the world will do that to a person.
          The walk also helped me to see more of Sydney than I previously had. And I am thankful for this, because a little part of me fell in love with Sydney; if I was going to live in a city someday, it would be here. Nonetheless, Sydney is still a city. I was able to see that it is just like Chicago in a sense: big and beautiful, but with its dirty parts. I do love that Sydney is right on the water though, and I don't mean a lake. I love the harbor and that Sydney is right on the coast of Australia. Every view is fantastic and I'm sure that there are great beachfront festivals throughout the year. The harbor gives Sydney a sense of proximity as if everything is centered around it. However, closer inspection reveals that the city is so much larger than most people typically imagine and is so much more than meets the eye, complete with beautiful parks and bustling streets.