Today started off with a bit of a sleep-in – I got some extra rest after so much walking the day before. Steve drove me down to the station, and then I jumped on the train again and headed back into Sydney. I spent some time talking to the conductor, and he gave me some schedules – it makes a big difference having those to consult.
The trains run well enough in Sydney, but I’m by far more impressed with the trains in Japan. I can’t say enough how efficient, fast, and easy the train system is. Sydney’s system is good, but it just shows how much better the Japanese train system is.
Anyway, upon arriving in the Circular Quay (pronounced “Key”, who knew?) I had an extra half hour or so. I walked over to the Opera House, and took some pictures, just like everyone else who visits Sydney. It was very impressive up close, and I’m sure it’s a great place to see a show. Afterwards I went down to the waterfront and caught a ferry to Manly.
Manly is beach community north of Sydney that is pretty touristy. The school that is hosting our students is located there, and all of the homestay families are there as well. Mr. Hayashi and Miss Kageyama met me at the ferry station, and then soon after we met up with Miss Yamamoto, my predecessor Andy, and his wife Michelle. It was really cool to catch up with Andy – he’s such a nice guy. We all had lunch at a fish and chips joint, and it was fun to watch the Japanese folks struggle with using their hands rather than chopsticks.
After lunch the students came by, and it was my first time to see them in their casual clothes. They looked good – dressed for warm weather with hats and funny T-shirts that they had brought from home. We fed them some french fries and then they were off to Sydney to do some shopping.
I took the opportunity to go with Mr. Hayashi and Miss Kageyama to the beach at Manly, and I walked in the surf – enjoying the warm water and beautiful weather. Miss Kageyama gathered up the courage to come down and walk with me, and Mr. Hayashi just waited up in the shade and watched the babes go by in tiny bikinis.
On the way back to the ferry we stopped for some beers, and then took the 30 minute ferry ride back to Sydney. There Mr. Hayashi and Miss Kageyama took the train back to Central station. I decided to walk there – about three miles, but it would give me the opportunity to do some shopping. I still needed to get some souvenirs for the teachers at school, and some goodies to bring back to Japan for myself.
While waiting in line at one store, I was behind two Japanese women trying to buy something with traveler’s checks. They were having trouble, so I stepped in and helped out a little bit. We talked in line for a while afterwards, and I couldn’t believe that I was carrying a full conversation in Japanese! Even though I do this pretty often in Japan, it seemed more dramatic to do it in an English speaking country.
I hiked into Central station after diverting through the Botanical Gardens and then called Steve’s house to check in. Julia took my message, and then I jumped aboard the train and enjoyed a nice ride back to Wollongong.
Steve picked me up at the station around seven o’clock, and then we went over to pick up his daughter Alyssa from work. She works at a bakery, so she brought a whole bunch of bread with her. When we got back to their neighborhood she walked around delivering the bread to the neighbors while Steve and I went inside.
We had a couple of beers and then Steve fired up the BBQ to get dinner ready. I hung out with the girls and watched part of “The Bachelor” until dinner was ready. Brenda said that I failed the “Aussie Male” test – I guess most Australian men gravitate to the BBQ while it’s going.
Dinner was a great BBQ mix of chicken, chops, steaks, and sausages. Brenda had made a salad and some corn on the cob, and we had plenty of bread from the bakery. Steve opened up a bottle of Australian Merlot, and we enjoyed a big feast. A great way to end the day!
Tomorrow I’m planning on joining Steve on a trip up to Sydney. After he runs a few errands, we’re going to meet Mr. Hayashi at his hotel and have lunch. Afterwards Steve is going to give me a guided tour of some points of interest in Sydney that I might have missed, and then we’ll go just to the south of Botany Bay and visit a couple of stores that might have some warm clothes to take back to Japan.
