Forgetting Chopsticks

Trip Start Sep 10, 2008
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Trip End Sep 03, 2009


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Flag of Australia  , New South Wales,
Sunday, January 11, 2009

Arriving into Sydney, the first thing I saw from the plane was a sign for Macdonalds. Perhaps a sign for having reached the other side of the western world. Or at least it would be if the Golden arches didn't already rule the world. It's a nice feeling to be able to walk down the street without being stared at and even pointed at through whispered glares. Whats even nicer perhaps, is being able to read menus and packets meaning I actually know what I'm eating. And knowing its not octopus.

Oz seems very much like a warmer version of England. The hundreds of English people here probably help create this illusion. Its a huge culture shock coming from Africa and Asia. The fact everyone or indeed anyone can speak English certainly makes things easier. Small things such as the British music that is played everywhere to people making me wince when they showed public displays of affection, something totally unacceptable in Asia. Digeridoo, Sydney
Digeridoo, Sydney
 I hadn't realised how much I had adapted to the culture without even realising, some of the values becoming part of me within such a short space of time. It was a shock to see people arguing in public, being loud or attention seeking, at first it seemed like it was all anyone did. It took me a couple of weeks to get used to it again. And I had forgotten how to cross the road. I had noticed that the Japanese seemed to be really bad at doing this, and found it is because you rely on the pedestrian lights in Japan. Even if there is no traffic, no-one crosses unless the man is green. Trying to judge a gap between cars is actually quite a hard skill it turns out.

Ah and to taste cheese once more, something I've really missed  and not had for about 3 months. The plane was my first experience of eating with a knife and fork in about three months. I missed the chopsticks. There's something about them which makes eating food more fun.

I didn't do much on my first visit to Sydney. Except perhaps loose my debit card within two hours of my arrival. Sure, I went to have a look at the Opera House and Harbour bridge, and walked round the city, but I well and truly needed a rest.
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