Sydney

I have never loved cities, after a few days, I would crave fresh air, mountains, trees and quiet. Somehow, Sydney captured my heart! I loved it! It was a place full of life, movement, activity. There was a jazz festival, which had about seven artist each day, playing at four outdoor venues- providing phenomenal people watching and lazy afternoons in Darling Harbor. We spent two days (the only two sunny days) on Bondi Beach, slightly south of the city. Bondi is a famous surfer beach and popular summer destination. Although the weather was turning to winter, we were still able to watch surfers dominate the sea, while the sea seemed to dominate us as we tried our own luck surfing. We’d then run back to our hostel, barefoot and freezing into a hot hostel shower that made the twenty-dollars a night truly worth it. We then traveled to the Blue Mountains, which were gorgeous and truly looked blue due to the eucalyptus tree bark. Back in the city we spent a few nights on the town, countless hours wandering the streets, stopping for live music performances, small-circus street acts, a handful of outdoor markets. We also had the chance to watch on of dozens of foreign film from the Film Festival that was taking place. We watched a movie on the Four Elements, an artistic and interesting film played inside a ornate theater that used to show black and white, non-talking pictures.

If that wasn’t enough, when we arrived we found out that the Dalai Lama was in town and giving a free speech within the Botanical Gardens. Regardless of the rain (we experienced the worst weather Sydney has had in five years) we went to the venue. And were inspired by his words of peace, compassion and hope for transformation of the future. (for more on his talk, check out upcoming blog to be posted in the next day or two). After the Dalai Lama spoke, there was a free concert consisting of five artist/bands from Sydney (Ben Lee, Lior, Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea, Mia Dyson and one other whose name I forgotten). Because of the rain, most people had cleared out, leaving a scattered few as the artist took the stage. Soaked to the bone, we decided to stay, but would have to pretend as though we were each artist biggest fan and dance wildly to get blood pumping back into our frozen bodies. So we danced, with little inhibition, wearing plastic ponchos or wrapped in blankets, twirling and bouncing to the beats. Those around us began to dance too. I will never forget twirling on muddy field, soaking wet, surrounded by passionate strangers, in the middle of Sydney, listening to inspiring music after hearing the Dalia Lama speak. Needless to say, Caitlin, Krissy and I closed the concert down and enjoyed every minute of it.