Completing the Sydney Checklist...

Today is my final day in the Land of Oz....at least for my abroad adventure. Tomorrow morning at 5 am I will waddle down the street to the train station, then awkwardly carry luggage through the airport, and finally embark on one final adventure in New Zealand with my buddy Jeff. However, over the past few days I have crossed the final handful of "Things to do in Sydney" off my checklist. Here's a summary of my final moments in Sydney....

I visited Paddy's Markets in downtown Sydney. These markets are basically an enormous indoor swap meet....so you know it fit my style! I will come home with a couple keepsakes from this market.

We ate Chinese food in China Town.....check mark!

Took a picture with an Aboriginee. (Dad this picture is for you and Gary Sopata!! Keep in mind that I generally prefer not to be in pictures and it is also very unlike me to take ask a stranger to be in a picture with me :) Sorry I closed my eyes but there was no chance of me taking a 2nd picture!)

I was chosen from the crowd to be in a street performer's act!! As you can see, the performer was quite the daredevil. He is juggling three items (a stick on fire, a knife, and an apple) while standing on his bicycle which on the top of a pole that is being held up by 6 strangers pulling on 6 ropes in all different directions (I was one of these stranger rope holders). It was shocking to see this man trust his life with complete strangers. If he fell and hit his head on the concrete he would have been a goner. Luckily, he did not fall and he probably received some nice donations. The whole act lasted about 45 minutes. I think I chosen because my half-green/half-blue shirt made me stand out. (fun fact: street performers in Australia are called "buskers" and there are many of them)

Some of my friends climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you look very closely, you can see a group of 12 walking on the top. They look like ants up there!

I, instead, elected to walk across the Harbour Bridge. It was free this way and only a couple meters lower....I like my decision :)

Huey and I got inside the Opera House!....cheeeck mark!.....However, we were immediately escorted out of the Opera House because we were caught sneaking in. Still, our goal was to get inside for free...so we considered it a success!

Wandered around Sydney's Botanical Gardens. However, this is a much better picnic or date spot with a pretty lady. 30 minutes was enough for me.

Tried to Body Surf the waves at Dee Why Beach. These were some of the most powerful waves I have ever been in. The waves crashed right on the sand, and I literally could not stand up in them because of their power. The waves would sweep my legs out from under me and when I opened my eyes I was laying on the wet sand. Thus, it was a blast!

These fun check marks complete my time in Sydney this semester. I will be back to Australia someday though. The country has treated me well. Plus, the Australian Open Tennis tournament is held in Melbourne every February! (I have a life goal to watch all the Tennis Grandslam tournaments in person).....but for now, it is back to New Zealand with Jeff!!

There will be at least one final blog post to come, but it will be sometime after Christmas and before New Years. See you in San Diego??

Cheers Mate!