Happy weekend friends!
Yes, it has been about a month since my last post and for those waiting with baited breath for this entry I apologize. There is always so much internal pressure to try to fit every happening and story into one of these posts so I end up putting it off for as long as I can!
Since my trip to Bali a lot of great things have happened. I was fortunate (and unfortunate) enough to get to travel a bit for work. Two weeks ago the Advisory Board hosted six regional meetings for all of our member hospital executives and directors. What this meant for me was an itinerary of this: airport > hotel > hospital/lecture hall > airport >next city. I went to Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne (twice!). The last time I traveled to Melbourne I extended my ticket for the weekend and LOVED IT. I will most definitely be back! (Adelaide and Brisbane, sorry folks...)
Melbourne is very reminiscent of a Victorian, European city BUT with amazing/funky/modern architecture sandwiched in between the older buildings and tram tracks. Aussies often compare Melbourne to NY while Sydney is more a coastal California city (but better in my opinion). If you like shopping and coffee shops, "Melbs" is your town!
I visited with my old and dear friend Deb who is a native Melburnian. She did an excellent job of showing me around. What I saw/did:
-spent Friday night at Shira Chadasha, a progressive egalitarian/traditional minyan similar to my alma mater of DC Minyan.
-perused Queen Victoria Market (excellent and cheap produce, wholesale UGG boots, gluten free pizza, souvenirs, etc)
-walked to Federation Square (a massive open area overlooking the Yarra river. That day happened to be Buddha's birthday celebration so it was covered with altars, golden Buddhas, and delicious Asian food)
-browsed Aclan street (lovely drag of shops and cafes where we ate lunch)
-walked through Chapel street (another, longer drag with terrific shopping!)
A few other highlights since last the posting:
-I joined a running club. It's called rePUBlic runners and we meet every Tuesday night downtown at a pub called the republic. The idea is that you donate $5 to the charity of the week, run a 5k, and then enjoy a free drink on the pub! What a lovely way to run, be philanthropic, drink and socialise! (look I am already spelling like an Aussie)
-Finally made it to the north shore of Sydney. Sydney proper is south of the harbour and the north is formally called Ku-ring-gai. I took a ferry to Manly beach to meet up with my friend Jan who lives in one of the two Jewish settlements, St. Ives in the North. (if anyone is interested in the North v. East Jewish rivalry please inquire... it's quite fascinating!)
-celebrating Shavuot with yummy desserts, good friends, and boring board games (did you know I hate games?)
-My little Aussie cousin turned one! We celebrated by lunching in Centennial Park on a gorgeous Sunday.
-I was able to show my friend from work Robin around Sydney this past week as she was the event planner for all of our previously mentioned regional meetings. We sent her off with a "benda" (all-nighter) out on the town. I hope she enjoyed her time here!
Passing my two-month-aversary here I really feel like this is reality. No more naive frolicking around the city marveling at how nice people are and how great the weather is...false! Yesterday a bus driver slammed the door on my leg because I was too late to hop on and a cab driver creepily touched my face because "I looked cold." The autumn is rapidly turning into a wet winter and I am most definitely settled into my work and social life. I am still loving it here but not as a tourist... as a Sydneysider!
Cheers!
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