Ahoy to all you saffers :)
Ok, so my timing is getting longer but only because it takes time to get the experience and to give you the inside scoop as to what really goes on behind the scenes of what may otherwise seem as the top list of things to do in Sydney from the lonely planet - hehe... So, this time round you will notice a little twist - the inside story on how the head, heart and guts are starting to battle it out to make it downunder...
So as you are aware, we are well into our 4th week (but whose counting). The third week proved to be slightly more challenging for me than expected - surprised - I know - it felt almost too soon, considering I have been on holiday for way longer than that ;) But I guess it was a combination of things, Ti started work that week, (granted he was a little overeager pitching up for work on Friday when his start date was really Monday *lol*)... but he went back to what would be considered a 'normal' day for him in SA - settling in nicely, meeting new peeps etc. and then everyone else followed suit, which left me feeling kind of 'lost'. So it goes without saying that anyone with too much time on their hands, will find themselves longing for the predictability and comfort of how life used to be. Quickly realising but still slow to react (as we all know how procrastination can get the better of us), I am starting to find my own rhythm and rut - defining my new 'normal', which unfortunately the essential ingredient is... you guessed it, time.
Look, it's not like I have nothing to do either and am twiddling my thumbs, but we are taking baby steps to re-establishing a new life. Since we last spoke we have been moving and shaking...
- We bought a new car - took delivery on Thursday - and we took a joyride through to Newcastle on Saturday - drives like a dream Ti will tell you (travel fatigue set in again for me -haha ;)
- We have been shopping around for a gym - difficult when Virgin is not the predominant player. In the meantime, we are taking advantage of whatever free day access passes the various gyms have on offer, which means by the end of this week we will need to decide which will be the 'one' for us.
- We trawl the rental websites on a daily basis to see what new places become available to rent. The market here is tough. Peeps can't afford to buy houses so rentals go fast. Literally they will have what we call a 'show day' for 15 minutes tops for everyone - its like skattejag - running from one place to another to get even a glimpse. Ti and I have decided to look in St Ives to be close to family but also because it is quite central to city, northern beaches etc. and Ti loves the tranquility of the area and its lushness of vegetation. We laugh, cos it feels like we live more in Mpumalanga than near the ocean ;)
- We found out that our container is delayed by 2 weeks due to port issues in Durban so we can expect our stuff to arrive late august at best - so timing is important here - so we don't waste money paying rent for place we can't move into yet... a little bit tricky given the supply, demand factor.
- We have been meeting and greeting new and familiar peeps at the most picturesque venues, manly wharf, watsons bay... Check out my facebook page for a photo tour of these beautiful spots and more.
So as we progress tensions continue to rise and fall. Ti is finding it difficult to take direction from another woman in his life 'Cecilia Garmin' as they battle out which routes would be best to follow to our preferred destination - trust issues! Then there is the constant heart attack at how expensive things seem - granted we converting at a rate of R7 to the Aussie dollar, but that's because we have not earned any Aussie dollars yet, so we are using our rrrands - ouch ;)
I will end off by sharing with you a couple of things we have learnt:
- Even though we are 8 hours ahead, we cannot predict the future ;)
- At traffic circles, people on the right side of you ALWAYS have right of way, even if they are just approaching
- When driving an automatic NEVER use your left leg (for clutch purposes) - may cause major whip lash *lol*
- Trees are the most important commodity
- There are more rules to park in a side street than on a main road?? not sure what thats all about.
- Thursday late nite shopping in the city rocks
- Max Brenner Chocolate is my new BFF
Next weekend we are going to the rugby! We look forward to supporting the green and golds... still the Springboks of course ;) and getting a little 'taste' of home.
Below we share with you some pics of our experience at Bondi Beaches 'Winter Wonderland' and our new wheels...
We continue to divide and conquer, till next time...
xoxo
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| All dressed up... |
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| The bavarian beer tent |
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| The soul of the festivities |
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| Ice rink on Bondi |
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| Our new cabby |
