I had a new airport security experience on my way to Sydney. I got tested for detonation residue. They touched a wand to a few areas of my clothes and ran it through a random pocket of my backpack. Then they tested for the results - I was clean!
The flight was uneventful, except on one leg I briefly sat next to a woman with heavy perfume on. I'm allergic, so it made my asthma kick in. Just when I was about to break protocol and get my inhaler from my overhead bag, the flight attendant asked her if she wanted to sir in one of the empty seats across the aisle. I have never had anyone do that before, but I was glad she did. God was looking out for me. I don't understand why people wear perfume on a plane. Do they really have to inflict that on the rest of us, when were are on such close quarters? I should note, it did help some when the air on the plane finally came on.
Got to Sydney minus my luggage. Seems it missed the connection in Canberra. At least this time I only had to wait an extra hour our so, and I was on my way with the luggage. I swear Todd jinxed me. Since Sydney has free Wi-Fi, i was actually glad to get time to catch up on email.
I checked into the Station YHA. I'm staying in an old railway car with seven other ladies. Just like the other YHAs, this one appears clean and organized.
I had made a long list of things to do this afternoon, but I got delayed within 10 minutes. I passed by the Central City Market and had to stop by. It's a combination flea market, farmers market, outlet shops, food court. I walked around the flea market section and quickly realized that it was not for me (although I did get a small leather wallet for $3). I went to the outlet mall and bought some jewelry, to the farmers market for fruit, and to the IGA for water. By the time I took it back to there hostel and started out again, I had lost over two hours.
The market is in the middle of Chinatown, and the influence could be heavily seen. They even had bubble tea, for those who went to Brooklyn.
I then took the free bus to the harbor. Wish I would have known about a free bus when I was here before. Could have used it a few times.
Started out for the botanical gardens, but realized time is running out, so went on a tour of the opera house. That is, after a linner? dunch? of fish and chips. They know how to do fish and chips at the harbor .
I didn't realize the opera house was built in 1973. I thought it was newer than that. And the design was from the mid-50s, which seems very forward thinking for that time. The movie we saw showed alternate drawings from the competition, and they were either rectangle shaped (boring), or spaceship looking (dated). The had already passed on the final drawing when a new judge came into there mix and pulled it back out. The city owes him big time.
I also didn't realize that there are actually six venues within the building, and am additional seventh outdoor amphitheater is available when needed (Oprah did her show at the outdoor amphitheatre). There is the large theatre (seats about 2800), which does all kinds of shows, EXCEPT opera. The smaller theatre (seats about 1600), is where they hold the operas and ballets. It seems the operas got kicked out of the larger theatre.
There traditional view we see of the opera house from the harbor is actually the back of the building. When you go out for intermission, you can have a drink at the wall of windows overlooking the harbor. The larger theatre is "in the round", with a large pipe organ at the far end. With certain shows, like musicals and plays, the back is draped off , and only the front used. Because of the organ, they only lose about 800 seats when they do this.
I did end up seeing the botanical gardens briefly on the way home. But I didn't get to the rest of my list. A few will have to be passed on. I lived the sign at the entrance, "please walk on the grass. We Salado invite you to smell the roses, hug the trees, talk to the birds, and picnic on the lawn. "
I'm hoping to go to the observatory in the morning. I'm having lunch with my boss' son and daughter-in-law in the afternoon
Random Thought of the Day: I've decided today must be tulle skirt day, and no knew told me. Everywhere I went I ran into little girls wearing their tulle skirts. I don't know if it's the weather (gorgeous and warm), Christmas present, or what, but it's too cute.
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