Greetings from Down Under

The Harbor Bridge

My emotions were in check while saying goodbye to the family at the airport in Bangalore. I did get teary-eyed, but at least kept the bawling in check. But the moment the aircraft touched down at Kingsford Smith Airport in Sydney, the flood gates opened. I honestly don’t know why, but I was suddenly very sad. Sad, lonely and scared. By the time the aircraft came to a halt, my tears did too. So here I am, in a country that has called twice before, but will now be home indefinitely.

The skyline of Sydney’s city centre is magnificent, high-rise buildings that house some of the most famous businesses in the world – from Emirates to Pricewater House Cooper. They’re all here. Standing amongst these buildings for the first time was intimidating. The task ahead of me seemed very daunting.

The Sydney Opera House

A short walk away from what I call home temporarily is Circular Quay with the Harbor Bridge on one side and the Sydney Opera House on the other. By the end of the my first day in Sydney, some semblance of confidence returned. Sitting at the wharf at Circular Quay watching the setting sun reflect off the Opera House I realized that now the world was my playground. All I needed to do was grab every opportunity and begin my journey anew.

For the first couple of days, everything seemed surreal. Couldn’t fathom that I was finally Down Under! I had finally flown the coop.

Sydney is a beautiful city with the familiar sights of the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House on one side and the liveliness of Darling Harbor the other. In other directions, spread the suburbs. The neatly laid out roads and the orderly traffic is a far cry from what I am used to back home. It took me a while to get used to waiting patiently at the zebra crossing for the light to change, even when there was no traffic on the road. In India, I would have made a dash for it. It was also a pleasure to see the cars waiting for pedestrians to cross at places where there were no signals. It’s finally nice to see that the zebra crossing means something!

The people are friendly. The taxi driver who drove us from the airport was chatty all the way. A Lebonese gentleman living in Australia for the last 40 years. The customer service executive in the bank was a lively young lady from Indonesia, here for the last 10 years. A corner bakery/cafe had a local guy behind the counter who gave us suggestions as to where we might buy a birthday cake for cheap. Everyone seems so nice that I wonder what all the “curry-bashing” was all about. I like it here. For some strange, unfathomable reason I feel that life here is less chaotic.

The high rises of Sydney by night

I’ve done the “touristy” thing already. Taken a photo walk along The Rocks to Circular Quay through Old Sydney. The first time was great, though surreal, but the second made me feel that the whole area was over-rated. Only the old buildings of Old Sydney held some charm. But King’s Wharf in Darling Harbor is where all the life is. It’s livelier and feels  a lot more “local”.

George Street is where all the action is. Every errand has found me back on that street, even grocery shopping. It’s the main artery of the Central Business District it seems. The Town Hall and the Queen Victoria Building are beautiful, though I know that in another week’s time they may become part of the furniture for me. But walking along George Street is always a pleasurable window-shopping experience.

But the highlight of it all for me – the grocery shopping!!! The plethora of meats and cheeses drives me to the brink of culinary madness every time I enter a grocery store. There is only so much I can do to reach into every shelf and try everything all at once. The fruits and vegetables are so fresh and flavorful. Juicy! The Tasmanian cherries are absolutely yummy and the strawberries a large and delicious. I wish I already had a large, fully functional kitchen. For the first time in my life I feel as though I will enjoy cooking. Curiosity has allowed a box of kangaroo meat to wait in the refrigerator. I have tried Korean food and eaten things I had never before, like seaweed. But I must confess, the raw beef didn’t go down too well with me, but the sauce it came in was great.

26th Jan is a national holiday here as well. Australia Day will see the Sydney Festival come to life. There will be a lot to see and do on the 26th.

I wonder if I should begin another blog called “Tales from the Land of Oz” and talk about everything that happens here. After all, I’m not going to remain Altu-Faltu for too long. I’m sure there will be plenty to write about. But I suppose for now, the news from the land Down Under will be Altu-Faltu’s narration.

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