Surviving Sydney: The Uncertain Episode II

I arrived in Sydney on Tuesday, 10 Jul, a week ahead of orientation but because I couldn't secure on campus accommodation, I had to put up at a backpackers' inn in town. Thinking that I could find lodging really soon, I had only planned to stay at the inn for four nights but I was sadly mistaken when my attempts of finding suitable permanent housing were rendered futile by the fourth day.

Standing outside Kingsford Smith Airport, I waited in anticipation for Bus Number 7 to bring me to my backpackers' inn at Pitt Street.

Like other passengers, I waited for the bus out in the open under freezing temperatures of between 13 and 15 degrees celsius.

The ride to Pitt Street on this "bus" made me A$10 poorer.

Cruising on the highway alongside this plane made me feel like I was about to take flight again.

As I caught glimpses of more planes, it suddenly dawned upon me that I had left home for more than 24 hours and I began to miss home really badly.

And so I travelled through the suburbs...

...and into the city.

I encountered a quieter part of town...

...with its public transport system neatly in place.

I tried to smile for the camera despite feeling terribly exhausted and homesick.

Then, I entered the city centre.

And all was well when I FINALLY got to my first residence, albeit a temporary one.

But I was briefed on the house rules as soon as I shut the door behind me.

And I was made to part with A$20 as deposit in case I ran away with the keys to my room.

Even then, I thought that the place looked pretty decent...

...complete with lockers, public phones,...

...an aquarium, tourist brochures...

...lots of tourist brochures...

...and more brochures...

...and cooking facilities...

...as well as a couple of washing machines and dryers.

After getting that temporary relief from knowing that I'd have at least a roof over my head for the first four nights, I settled down for my first meal in Sydney - honey chicken with rice at a thai eatery just across the road.

Then it was on to my first dinner in Sydney - fish fillet with rice and tartar sauce at an American cafe down the street.