1. Be prepared to walk – a lot. I am definitely not complaining, but wanted to warn anyone who wants to visit. There are plenty of trains, buses, ferries and taxis to take you where you need to go, but you will still have to walk – up and down stairs (if a train station does not have a lift.) and hills. You will also need to remember to stay to the left side on the sidewalks - Unless its rush hour, then it’s free for all, and beware! These people walk faster than I do, and at times I just know I’m going to crash into someone, but they are very clever in darting, weaving, and bobbing through a crowd. It’s pretty scary, but amazing.
2. Not Safe for the Little Ones Ears. It is not uncommon to hear cussing, and even around children. Most of the time, adults are aware of the ankle biters (that’s what they call kids here), but not all the time. Still, when you hear the f word flying about causally, it strikes a nerve. Most of the time if we hear it (and mostly from the young crowd on up to mid 20’s), we hang back until they are not in sight. But cussing is quite common in the work place. One of Scott’s co-workers mentioned being in a business meeting with professionals and they were talking like sailors. Oh, and we were so excited to see that Hell’s Kitchen is on over here – first season, but we didn’t care, until we realized (very quickly) that they do not bleep out the bad words. Most shows past 8 PM are that way.
3. Break the habit, Sydney! They don’t care if signs are posted everywhere, they will still smoke. Cigarette butts litter the sidewalks. Some areas have more smokers than others like Central (main train station area – government offices) and Chinatown. I had to scold one young couple (think they were British) for standing next to us while we were eating (outside) with strong winds. Their ash was flying into our clothes and food. Gross!
4. What’s on the Telly? Doh! The Simpsons are HUGE here. Most shows are American or British, and if it’s an Australian one, it’s more like a night time version of a soap, except for a really big hit called City Homicide (based on Law and Order). We haven’t watched it yet. Their representation of the population is not quite accurate – you’ll see a few aboriginals, but they miss showing the Asian and Indian cultures. The news is quite comical. In news World Report, the big news from the US is about surfing animals!
5. Beware of Rush hour! – As in any city, you want to avoid this time frame, but that is including walking the streets. Masses of people converging on the sidewalks in all directions. It’s a mad house, especially when you are pulling two kids in tow.
6. 100 % Australian Made – This is mentioned constantly. They are very proud of anything Australian. In fact, some guy just wrote a book about which cars are lemons. None of the Australian cars were in that list – just about everything else was. If an Australian sports team is doing well, it’s on the news, all the time. If they are not, you won’t hear a thing. Example: Once the Australians were out of the World Cup, they stopped coverage all together.
7. Which way do I go? – Maps are vague and signs are few. If you think you know where you are going, chances are you’ll ask at least one person for directions.
8. Coat or T-shirt? – The weather here reminds me a lot like Florida, but its drier here. The highs so far are in the upper 60’s, sometimes low 70’s which can be misleading. Once the sun drops, so does the temperature.
9. What season is this anyway? – It’s bizarre – you will see one person wearing the full winter gear, and then someone else in flip flops, shorts, and a T-shirt. I can understand the t-shirt, but the flip flops – not a good choice when walking about the city. This past Friday, with the weather in the low 60’s, we witnessed a young woman in Daisy Duke shorts, black Ugg boots, and a short silk top posing by a fountain with two guys snapping photos. It was cold!
10. No Worries, Mate! – This is a laid back culture (except during rush hour or walking around the city for that matter). I have yet to see anyone angry/yelling. If you bump into someone, they say “No Worries”. It’s a slower pace at times. It can be nice… unless you are waiting for internet hook up!
11. Mushi, Mushi! – The Japanese young ladies LOVE Morgan. They will stop and touch her face and hair – and of course, giggle. ;-)
12. Safe and sound – For a city this size, I have yet to feel in danger. There are rare reports about theft or murder.
13. Sandwiches, Water, and Hand-held Video Games: essentials when exploring the city with children.
2. Not Safe for the Little Ones Ears. It is not uncommon to hear cussing, and even around children. Most of the time, adults are aware of the ankle biters (that’s what they call kids here), but not all the time. Still, when you hear the f word flying about causally, it strikes a nerve. Most of the time if we hear it (and mostly from the young crowd on up to mid 20’s), we hang back until they are not in sight. But cussing is quite common in the work place. One of Scott’s co-workers mentioned being in a business meeting with professionals and they were talking like sailors. Oh, and we were so excited to see that Hell’s Kitchen is on over here – first season, but we didn’t care, until we realized (very quickly) that they do not bleep out the bad words. Most shows past 8 PM are that way.
3. Break the habit, Sydney! They don’t care if signs are posted everywhere, they will still smoke. Cigarette butts litter the sidewalks. Some areas have more smokers than others like Central (main train station area – government offices) and Chinatown. I had to scold one young couple (think they were British) for standing next to us while we were eating (outside) with strong winds. Their ash was flying into our clothes and food. Gross!
4. What’s on the Telly? Doh! The Simpsons are HUGE here. Most shows are American or British, and if it’s an Australian one, it’s more like a night time version of a soap, except for a really big hit called City Homicide (based on Law and Order). We haven’t watched it yet. Their representation of the population is not quite accurate – you’ll see a few aboriginals, but they miss showing the Asian and Indian cultures. The news is quite comical. In news World Report, the big news from the US is about surfing animals!
5. Beware of Rush hour! – As in any city, you want to avoid this time frame, but that is including walking the streets. Masses of people converging on the sidewalks in all directions. It’s a mad house, especially when you are pulling two kids in tow.
6. 100 % Australian Made – This is mentioned constantly. They are very proud of anything Australian. In fact, some guy just wrote a book about which cars are lemons. None of the Australian cars were in that list – just about everything else was. If an Australian sports team is doing well, it’s on the news, all the time. If they are not, you won’t hear a thing. Example: Once the Australians were out of the World Cup, they stopped coverage all together.
7. Which way do I go? – Maps are vague and signs are few. If you think you know where you are going, chances are you’ll ask at least one person for directions.
8. Coat or T-shirt? – The weather here reminds me a lot like Florida, but its drier here. The highs so far are in the upper 60’s, sometimes low 70’s which can be misleading. Once the sun drops, so does the temperature.
9. What season is this anyway? – It’s bizarre – you will see one person wearing the full winter gear, and then someone else in flip flops, shorts, and a T-shirt. I can understand the t-shirt, but the flip flops – not a good choice when walking about the city. This past Friday, with the weather in the low 60’s, we witnessed a young woman in Daisy Duke shorts, black Ugg boots, and a short silk top posing by a fountain with two guys snapping photos. It was cold!
10. No Worries, Mate! – This is a laid back culture (except during rush hour or walking around the city for that matter). I have yet to see anyone angry/yelling. If you bump into someone, they say “No Worries”. It’s a slower pace at times. It can be nice… unless you are waiting for internet hook up!
11. Mushi, Mushi! – The Japanese young ladies LOVE Morgan. They will stop and touch her face and hair – and of course, giggle. ;-)
12. Safe and sound – For a city this size, I have yet to feel in danger. There are rare reports about theft or murder.
13. Sandwiches, Water, and Hand-held Video Games: essentials when exploring the city with children.
1 comment:
I'm having so much fun reading all of your blogs! How interesting!
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