The Kid's Holiday

Tuesday, April 10^th - I woke up with pain in my leg but managed to get the kids ready.  They are now on holiday for 2 weeks, so I’ll have them all day everyday.  Today they had a chess tournament all day in Strathfield.  We took the train there and then I waited in the lounge will they played 8 games throughout the day.  It was so interesting attending a chess tournament.  All these little kids were intently staring at the boards, moving pieces with caution and then slapping the button on the clock at the side of the board.  Mark and Stef held their own.  Mark won 4 games and Stef, 2.  That evening, I made dinner for the fam, then met up with Mary at Manly Wine, our “spot” and talked.  We are such kindred spirits.

Wednesday, April 11^th

Today was a more relaxed, domestic day.  I made scrambled eggs for breakfast, then Dutch pancakes for brunch and pizza for lunch.  The kids were hungry today and I thought a nice unhealthy day was in order. They've been eating so well lately.  Dutch pancakes are small pancakes, the size of a quarter, in a pile with drizzled chocolate syrup and sprinkled powdered sugar.  I had some at a festival in Manly so I decided to try making them.  They were delicious. Then I helped Mark with his Japanese homework.  Yesterday in the train, we played a story telling game.  I noticed how creative and imaginative Stef was during the game.  So, I told Stef she would be an amazing writer.  She took that to heart because that inspired her to write a book today! She wrote a book on the computer with three whole chapters, complete with pictures and a title page!  I’m so proud of her!

I also cleaned the kitchen and managed to take a shower without getting my bandage wet.  Impressive, right?    

Friday, April 13^th

I took the kids to Shelly beach to fly kites, swim, go on a bush walk and have a barbie.  We had a blast.  The kites were a total flop, due to the lack of wind.  But it was quite entertaining for the other beach goers I'm sure- picture me holding up the kite as I tell Mark to run for his life and thus resulting in the kite's immediate desolation into the sand.  I think we got it up the air two times... We'll have to find a more windy spot next time.  It was quite comical.  I'm glad the kids were in a jovial mood.  We also enjoyed making sand castles, complete with bridges, motes, fortified walls and an entire village surrounding the castle.  Then Mark happily smashed the creation with his “wrecking ball” made of sand.  He’s quite the avid demolitionist. 

Our bush walk

That evening I had dinner with Tom.  We went to an Italian place that was delicious.  It’s actually run by a nice Asian family Tom has come to know.  We enjoyed talking over our nice dinner and wine.  Then we watched a rugby game with his roommates- nothing more Aussie than that.

Saturday, April 14

I enjoyed sleeping in and then I joined Mary, Laura and another au pair at a café in manly.  We ate sushi and swapped world travel stories. Then Mary and I made a German dinner at her place.  She says that in Germany they don’t have many hot dinners.  Their heavy and hot meals are at lunch.  For dinner we had rye bread called Pumpernickle with jam and other spreads, meats and cheeses.  (All I could think of was Prince Humperdink from Princess Bride, so I called the bread Humpernickle... we laughed during a large portion of the dinner.)  It was tasty, in spite of its name.  Then we beautified ourselves and went to Coogee to meet up with Tom and his friends.  

We listened to live music and talked with Tom and his boys.  It was fun swing/country dancing and chilling at this local hot spot.  

Coogee to Bondi to the fridge to the hospital ;)

Monday, April 9th- I woke up and headed to Tom’s for a day out in the fresh air.  We ate breakfast at a cute café in Coogee.  Then we hiked along the coast from Cooge to Bondi.  There are about 5 beaches along the walk with stunning views of ocean and coves.  I’ll have to go back another time to snorkel.  The water was exquisite shades of blue. It was so nice taking in the fresh sea breeze air.

Once we made it to Bondi, we played in the waves, swam and layed out.  It was fun splashing around in the water and lounging, listening to music.  

When we got back, Tom was stocking the fridge with a few groceries when suddenly, the shelf fell.  I laughed at him, but then he fell to the ground with a leg cramp.  Once it went away, I went over to the shelf to put it back in the fridge and tidy up.  After I placed a few things on the shelf, it fell again.  Silly me. But then I realized my leg felt funny.  Then I saw blood.  I told Tom I thought I was cut from one of the bottles that fell.  He came over and scooped my leg up and told me to look away.  Tom and his roommates are male nurses so they know what to do in these situations.  I told him I was fine. But then he looked at his friend and then soberly told me I would need stitches.  Really?  No way. I hate needles.  He searched for glass in the wound and then wrapped it tightly.

So, we walked, (well I did a sort of hobble, stanky leg walk), to Tom's hospital he works at and they admitted me in the emergency room right away.  I had to get an x-ray to make sure there weren’t any foreign objects in the incision.  Fortunately, one of his easy-going, well-qualified friends stitched me up.  The only painful part was the shots.  All of his other friends on duty came by to visit which took my mind off of the procedure.  It was quiet entertaining actually.  I was the celebrity guest in the emergency room.  All of Tom’s doctor and nurse friends were cheekily critiquing the doctor working on my leg.  He was friendly and did a wonderful job.  After the painful shots to numb the wound, I initially looked away as he stitched me up.  Slowly, I grew interested in the process and watched.  It was cool seeing him sew me up like a piece of fabric.  I felt like I was suddenly back in a high school lab, dissecting a frog or baby pig.  It didn’t seem quite real. 

We were in and out of the emergency room in less than an hour, thanks to Tom.  There is no way that would have happened in the States.   I shuffled back to Tom’s humble abode, also known as the Murse Mansion (Male Nurse…murse, haha) and we ate a home-cooked dinner, provided by Tom, while watching the movie.

Whew.  What a night.  I guess I’ll at least have something to bring back home that will forever remind me of my adventures in Australia.  

Easter Weekend

Friday, April 6^th - I woke up with laundry and ironing awaiting me before my holiday officially began. After that, I packed a bag and headed to Mary’s.  Her host family is going away for the Easter holiday, so she invited me to stay for a girls relaxing weekend.  Their multi level abode resembles a five-star tree house tucked away in an emerald jungle.  The large glass windows provide optimum visibility of the entire green forest from any point inside the house.  The transparent doors lead out to terraces overlooking the forest. On one level of the balcony sits patio furniture and a barbeque.  We’ll have to utilize that later.  

When I arrived at Mary’s, we dressed in our swimmers and met up with Laura in Manly.  The walk to Manly was very scenic along the beaches and through the parks.  We grabbed some sushi from our favorite place and ate it on the beach.  We enjoyed our first day off soaking up the sun, being girls.  Then we bought some groceries for dinner. 

Walking to the beach

We cooked together and ate outside on the terrace by candlelight.  The moon was already up against the light blue sky.  It was so peaceful outside this modern chalet.  Then all of a sudden we heard cackling.  In the gum trees surrounding us, a flock of kookaburras serenaded us.  It sounded like the ultimate “Australian” natural soundtrack.  (There's a famous Australian song about kookaburras… ) but it was actually quiet obtrusive and loud.  Mary said that every morning at 5:42am they wake her up.  They are the Australian rooster, the farmer’s alarm clock.  Hmm, I’ll have to get used to that.   Then we snuggled up for a late night movie.

Hoopla Festival

Saturday, April 7^th - The Kookaburas did in fact jolt me up with their shockingly loud cackles at 5:42, but they soon retired for the morning and I dozed off for a few more hourse.  Then, we researched several different fun things to do for Easter in Sydney and discovered the Hoopla festival in Darling Harbour.  There are several free street shows and attractions along the harbour.  We watched a few acrobatic shows and were amazing by the precision in which each incredible athletic endeavor was carried out.  

The Argyle

After that, we did some shopping in the QVB.  I found some cute dresses and only spent $18 dollars total. Mary found some adorable grey heels.  Mary and I made our selves pretty and then walked down the steep hill to the bus in our heels- not a wise decision- and then made our way downtown to The Rocks at a place called the Argyle for drinks.  After a few crusty guys hit on us, we decided to call it a night and went home for some wine and a movie.  We also made Banana bread.  I made up a fun song for our cooking masterpiece to the tune of the Muppet song “Mahna Mahna, do doo be-do-do” … My version went something like, "Banana  bread, do doo be-do-do"…  It gave us a serious case of the giggles. J

Hill Song Easter Sunday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_tupPBtWQ

Sunday, April 8th-   I didn’t even notice the Kookaburras this morning! I slept in and then we made pancakes- yummm.  Next up- play dress up!  I curled Mary’s hair and taught her how I put on my eye shadow and then we met Laura at the bus stop to go to church for Easter Sunday. It took awhile to get there and it was extremely crowded.  The auditorium was full, requiring crowds to gather outside and watch the service on a large screen.  The music was decent, but again, it was a full-blown concert- smoke, spotlights, videos and all.  The preacher was the world famous evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke who is widely known for his great Gospel Crusades throughout Africa with millions coming to know Christ. He was very passionate and taught the ABCs of the gospel.  He was very animated, for better or worse.  I met some nice people sitting around me but this is not a church I want to call home.  I’m still on the search for just the right church- not too hot and not too cold, but just right.  It started raining as lightning lit up the sky.  Yay for chilled walks through the rain in the city at night!  The three of us threw our jackets over our hair and trudged through the puddles and crowded streets. To ease the pain of the unbearable walk, Mary and I started singing any song with the word Rain in it.  We ended up dancing around, singing down the streets of Sydney.  We also sang our Banana bread song- we could almost smell the bread from miles away and we couldn't wait to get home and have a slice.  We made it back and made dinner: grilled chicken, salad, banana bread and chocolate cake... What's girls night without a little chocolate?  We watched a Rom Com, 17 Again, with Zach Efron.  I’m not a huge fan, but he did a decent job in this feel-good film. 

The Transportation Tale

Tuesday, April 3^rd

Mary and I went to Shelly Beach for a birthday barbie.  We grilled some chicken and enjoyed lounging and talking.  I love Shelly Beach.  Pretty much every beach is stunning but they all have their own different feels.  Shelly Beach is intimate and relaxed.  Older retirees or mothers with children often come here.  There aren’t any waves since it’s perpendicular to the main beach, Manly beach.  On the right side of the beach is the bush walk I would go on when I first started here.  It’s simply lovely. 

Mark had a Parent Teacher conference tonight, but afterwards I made my way to Tom’s.  He was having some friends over for an aussie barbie.  I arrived at the station later than expected and without the use of my temporary phone (Since I hadn’t replaced the one I dropped in the river, I borrowed Mark’s phone for the night... but, it was out of credit for calls/texting. Smart, I know, taking a phone that doesn't work to replace a phone that doesn't work.  I really think things through, you can tell... ;)) 

I rushed to the meeting spot where Tom picks me up at the station, but he wasn’t there.  I waited for about 30-45 minutes. He's usually there early, so I sensed something was wrong.  I kept praying that he was ok.  This didn't feel right. Finally, I found a pay phone and called him.  When he answered, he told me in a quiet, uneasy voice that he was in an accident.  He had tried to call me to no avail.  (My bad on the non working phone bit.)  He rear-ended another car when they stopped suddenly.  After the accident, one of the intoxicated passengers jumped out, rushed over to Tom’s car, hot with road rage, and hit Tom's windshield with his hands, shattering the windshield on Tom.  Luckily, Tom didn’t respond with anger.  The police came and settled the matter.  Tom was fined for running into the car, but the angry passenger would pay for the windshield damage.  Both insurance companies would cover the rest of the damages.  Tom mercifully didn’t press chargers against the drunk passenger. 

We took a taxi back to Tom’s place and I ate a late dinner with him.  We talked about the wreck and then watched a movie.  He was less shaken up after I left, but I still felt bad for him.  No one likes a car accident. I’m just glad he didn’t get hurt.  You can fix a car.  A body is always more difficult to mend.  I didn't leave until 1:00am since I got there so late. 

Unfortunately the night continues to bumble along with transportation issues.  I took a taxi to Central Station, Tom payed- how sweet.  When I arrived, I had to pass several homeless men to get to the train station.  I felt uneasy.  Once in front of the timetables for the trains, I blankly stood there, staring at the train screens that all read, “Last train departed”.  Dejected and nervous, I slowly looked around.  Not a soul in sight at the station.  No working phone.  What do I do?  Then a man came up and looked dismally at the same screens.  He then walked over to another sign.  I thought he might be my only hope.  So I walked over to him and asked him for assistance.  Luckily, he was heading in the same direction as me and knew of a bus that ran this late out of Town Hall.  So we split a taxi to the bus (it was only a few dollars) and made it to the bus stop.  We waited for about 30 minutes and talked about a wide array of matters.  The bus ride home was another half hour. I finally made it to the Roseville station where my car was parked. I drove for about 3 minutes and then saw a police car.  I put my game face on and made sure I was driving on the correct side of the road.  Then, the dreaded flashing blue and red lights appeared in my rear view mirror. I started panicking.  I didn’t know which side of the road to pull over on.  What had I done wrong? Are my lights on?  Was I speeding? Was I going to jail? I went to the curbside on the left and rolled my window down.  He asked for my license and I told him I was from Texas as I handed him my whole wallet.  “Oops, you probably only need the license,” I giggled nervously, attempting to mask my utter trepidation.  I’m a total ditz.  I retrieved my ID and handed it to the officer.  He then said I needed to take a Breathalyzer test. I hadn’t been drinking, but did I look like I was?  Why was he asking me this?  I’ve never had to do this before. Ahhhh... He held up his small hand held device and I just looked at him.  What was he doing?  “You need to count to 10 in front of here,” he said pointing to the end of his electronic device.  OH, so I started counting and then he said I was ok.  “Have a good night,” he mumbled, and then he was gone. Hmm. Interesting… Bullet dodged….But still, I want to go home.

In Australia, they perform random stops to check for drunk driving.  I learned this first hand.  Apparently, officers don't have to have probable cause to pull you over.  According to New South Whales Transportation and Safety, all standard police vehicles can indiscriminately pull drivers over to perform a breath test.  Since the introduction of RBT (Random Breath Tests) in 1982, fatal crashes involving alcohol have dropped from 40% of all fatalities to the current level of 19%. Last year police conducted over 4.4 million breath tests in New South Whales. It’s working, but nonetheless, I was terrified.  

Evidently, the night was not in my favor.  I should have just stayed at home.  Well, at least it made for a good story and Tom and I certainly bonded, going through something like that together.  Fortunately, Tom is not hurt, a nice man helped me get home, and I didn’t get a ticket or have to go to jail.  All in all, it was a win.  I’ll look at the glass half full tonight.  I did let out a huge sigh of relief as I crawled into the cool sheets of my twin bed.  Only a few hours till my entire body will be jolted by the BEEEEP  BEEEP Beeeep… 

Curly Waves & Mary's Birthday

Sunday, April 1st 

Whelp, I completely forgot about April Fools. I’ll have to nab someone next year.  I used to play tricks on Dad when I was younger.  Instead, I took Mary and Laura to Curl Curl for some sun.  Mary and I played in the ocean, trying to stand our ground against the colossal waves.  They regularly surprised us with their strength and magnitude.  It was so much fun splashing in the water like a pair of giggling youngsters.  I was as giddy as a schoolgirl J

That evening I enjoyed pizza with Tom in Coogee.  They have so many different types of pizza here. We ordered a Tendori Pizza topped with chicken and a spicy sauce (Tendori), cucumbers, cashews, mushrooms and yogurt.  Very odd combinations but together it was actually a quiet harmonious explosion of taste.  (Don’t worry, the yogurt was more like sour cream.)  I’ll have to experiment more the next time I make homemade pizza.  I think I’ve been limiting myself to the traditional tomato sauce with cheese and pepperoni.  They also use barbeque sauce instead of tomato sauce sometimes… innovative.  Definitely thinking outside the box.

Monday, April 2^nd

I have two goals for today: 1) Find a harp to rent 2) Find a place to go for Easter with Laura and Mary. 

In regards to the first goal, Emila and Jerry decided they wanted to “hire” a harp for me to teach Mark how to play.  I was ecstatic!  I can play the harp again while I’m here.  I’ve missed playing so.  This is such a blessing! I’m also excited about teaching someone how to play.  I have yet to be a harp instructor.  This will be such a great learning experience for both of us!

The only problem is, there aren’t many harps here.  I’m having troubles finding a harp that is available for hire. (They say hire instead of rent here. Like, “Would you like to hire a car for the weekend” or “Surfer Boards for Hire”…) Sadly, after an afternoon of looking, I still haven’t found a harp for us to rent.  Emila would like a harp just after the Easter holiday.  This is when the kids will be on holiday for 2 weeks and I’ll have them all day every day.  It would be a perfect time to start teaching Mark how to play.  Hopefully I’ll find one soon.

Secondly, Laura, Mary and I want to go camping somewhere along the coast about 2 hours north of Sydney.  It will be warmer there and camping is a cheaper way to see some nice beaches and enjoy the outdoors.  Unfortunately, Easter is a HUGE travel holiday here and every last place I checked was booked.  We’ll have to go camping on another weekend, when the whole Eastern coast of 
Australia isn’t camping at the same time.

Manly Wine

So, I didn’t accomplish either of my goals and I missed out on a beautiful day outside. L Less than ideal.  However, it’s Mary’s birthday tomorrow so I’m taking her out to celebrate.  I bought her some flowers since she’s far from home and needs a proper birthday celebration.  We ate at the cute “Manly Wine” where we first met up.  Our dinner was sublime.  I relished every bite of my Pumpkin Ravioli.  It was to die for.  Odd, I know, but it was lick-your-lips good.  We sipped on a glass of wine, flirted with our waiter and enjoyed the ambience of the wine bar.  We also stopped by a stylish upscale restaurant/bar on the beach called the Whitehouse.  While enjoying a glass of wine, we talked about favorite birthday memories.  I am so blessed to have family and friends who gave me so many wonderful memories.
  

The Whitehouse Bar

Curl Curl Beach

Wednesday, March 28^th

Today Angel was put down.  I wasn’t in the best mood. I’m not much of a crier.  In fact, I don’t remember the last time I cried.  So I was surprised when a few tears dropped down my cheek in the shower this morning.  The evening was a nice oasis from thoughts of Angel- Tom had me over for home cooked stirfry, wine and a movie- the perfect remedy. 

Thursday, March 29^th

I decided I was getting too accustomed to Manly beach, so I ventured off to another unknown beach.  I came upon Curl Curl.  This is now my new favorite beach.  There are hardly any people on the beach.  I love it when the beach feels like it’s yours.  I sat and sketched the peninsula that jets off into the water, with the waves crashing against the rocks.  There were cute little houses scattered throughout the green neck of land.  Surfers sliced across the surface of blue, testing out new moves and playing with the waves.  It was a perfect beach.

Friday, March 30^th

I went back to Curl Curl for a jog, a sketch sesh and then some sun baking.  Then I went out with Mary and a few other Au Pairs in the CBD.  It was nice, but eventually it was just Mary and I talking again.  We are two peas in a pod.  J

 

Saturday March 31^st

Can you guess?  That’s right- Curl Curl again.  Only this time I hiked out onto the rocks.  The crashing ocean was stunningly powerful.  I had to walk carefully along the edge of the dropoff.  Much of the rock was covered with a carpet of green algae.  Then I hiked up a tall rickety staircase that led above the rocks.  It was there that I found “my secret spot”. 

My secret spot

I plopped down on a smooth rock that leaned out over the water.  I sat gazing at the flawless view of the ocean in front, rocks below and distant coastline on either side.  I sketched the rocks and had a quiet time with God.  Well, I wasn’t that "quiet"-  I sang at the top on my lungs.  It was utter bliss to be completely submerged in God’s creation, without sight or sound of another human being.  It was just us two, on the rock on the coastline of Australia.

Then I picked up Mary from Manly for girls night.  I had the house all to myself since the family was out of town for one of Mark’s fencing competitions.  So, we dropped by the grocery store, gathered ingredients and headed back home to make a delectable dinner.  We talked and drank wine and then popped in the ultimate girl movie, The Notebook. Mary spent the night and we both slept in until 8:30 the next morning.  Look out! I don’t remember the last time I thought 8:30 in the A.M. was sleeping in! It was so nice to wake up without the incessant and much dreaded BEEP BEEP BEEP of the alarm.  Mary noticed how quiet the house was.  She cares for a family of 3 kids, the youngest, a two-year old.  A quiet house in the morning is a great treat to her.  Yay for “Mom’s” day off.   

Hillsong, Pavlova, Hunger Games and Angel

Sunday, March 25^th

I met up with Katelyn to attend HillSong, a world-renown megachurch in Sydney.  It was quiet the production, with wide camera angles of the band members, smoke on the stage and booming speakers.  I found myself focusing on the close ups of the guitarist or the elaborate outfits of the singers…it was too much of a show for my tastes.  The music, or entertainment, was more of a distraction than a form of singing to God. However, I did really enjoy the sermon.  The woman who spoke was very passionate and well educated.  She spit out scripture with great application and relatable stories.  I liked how scripturally sound it was.  My travel time was a little over an hour and a half to get there, so I still don’t think I’ve found my church home yet. 

For lunch, Katelyn and I ate at a small café with two of her guy friends.  We enjoyed talking theology when I noticed there were some of the singers sitting near us.  When I asked who they were, they pointed to a girl mesmerized with her soup.  She was thinking seriously about something.  She’s quiet famous actually- Brooke Fraser.  She sings Hosanna, my favorite.  It was unreal to be at a café with the singers of Hill Song United.  At Austin Stone we sing their music all the time.  How cool!  Then I met up with Tom for sushi in Coogee, the beach just south of Bondi.  I really like Coogee.  And I like that Tom always treats me well and pays for everything, even the taxi fare. I usually take the train to Central and then he picks me up from there.  But if his roommates have his car then I’ll take the taxi back to Central.  We had fun laughing and talking at the local Coogee sushi joint.  What a quaint town so is close to the beach.

Monday, March 26^th

I caught up with Paps and Granny, Mom, Dad, Grace and Allison on Skype.  It was nice talking to them.  Then that evening, Emila taught me how to make Pavlova, an Australian delicacy.  After whipping egg whites to add air into the egg and sugar mixture, you blog it onto a pan and then in the oven.  It hardens into a shell and then the middle shinks.  Then you add more creamy goodness inside the sunken shell and top it off with berries and whipped cream.  It’s a tasty science experiment.   I’m excited to try to make it myself.  I’m sure my friends and family back home will love this recipe. 

Tuesday, March 27^th

I met up with several other au pairs at the cinema to see Hunger Games.  We waited until Tuesday because it’s a cheaper night.  Going to the movies is so expensive here! It costs between $17 and 20 bucks!  On Tuesdays it’s only $11.  Only… really?  I think I’ll be watching the rest of my movies on DVD or on the computer.  I thought the movie was okay.  However, since I have read the books, I felt there wasn’t enough time to relate to or build a connection with the characters. 

I also found out about my precious dog, Angel, today.  She is sick and has to be put down. She was always so happy to see me.  We loved to snuggle together in my bed. I will never forget those long nights when I was potty training her as a puppy.  It was the first weeks of school, but I got up every time she whined and took her outside so she would learn what “go potty” meant. Although it was tiring, she was so sweet and small and lovable.  I secretly liked getting up just to see her again.  Angel was there for me through hard relationships. She would lick away my tears. I will never forget her tender spirit.  She wanted to be with me all the time. When I walked into the room, she would go static, jumping and licking and full of utter joy to see me.  We should all experience that kind of explosion of affection when we see someone we care about.  Why don’t I greet my loved ones with the same kind of exuberant salutation?

When it came time for her to give birth to her puppies, she was uneasy and scared, as any mother would be.  But it also wasn’t going well.  I was playing the harp at a church service, but rushed home for the last 2 puppies.  The moment I walked in and sat with her, she instantly calmed down.  When the contractions continued, another puppy slipped out, but wasn’t breathing.  Cupping him in my palms, I swung him down to remove the mucus logged in his nose and mouth, preventing him from breathing.  When the puppy starting sucking in air, I felt so blessed to experience such a beautiful miracle.  This happened with the next puppy as well. Two miracles in one day. I am so thankful she had puppies so her sweet spirit could live on.  Even her puppy, Daisy, my sister’s dog, had a litter of her own.  Grandma Angel!  What a gift of life she was.  I am also so thankful for Granny, Mama and Paps.  Granny drove with me to choose and pick up Angel when she was a puppy.  Mama was Angel’s primary care giver for a majority of Angel’s life.  And Paps was there at the end.  Angel always loved going to the farm and Paps would put up with her running around the farm, occasionally chasing chickens.  I have such a loving and supportive family.  Angel will be missed, but I want her to be out of pain.  Goodbye, Angel.  I love you.  

The Blue Mountains

Saturday, March 24

Laura, Mary and I decided to go to the Blue Mountains today.  I was the driver for the day...  now that was an interesting experience.  It was my first time to drive that long on a highway in Australia.  It quite easy once we arrived on the interstate, but on the path there, we had to weave in and out of a spaghetti bowl of streets.  It was a bit nerve racking, but the mountains were worth it.  The most iconic element of the Blue Mountains is the rock feature known as the Three Sisters.  

There is a commonly told legend that brought about the name of this rock spectacle.  However, the truth behind The Three Sister's formation is simply erosion by wind, rain and rivers, due to the soft sandstone in the mountains.  As the Indigenous Australian dreamtime legend goes, there were three sisters who fell in love with three men from the neighboring tribe.  Marriage between tribes was forbidden, so the three men used force to capture the sisters.  A battle began.  To protect the three sisters, the tribal leader turned the three sisters to stone, but consequently the chief was killed in battle, thus unable to turn them back.  The three sisters now stand immortalized in stone for all to remember their tragic love story. 

There were also manly trails, lookouts, waterfalls and bushwalks all throughout the Blue Mountains.  We only touched the main highlights, so I’ll have to go back again to dive deeper into the forest.  I really liked one of the hikes down to the first sister.  There were steep steps that led to a bridge to the rock formation.  Nestled in the rock was a carved bench for your sitting pleasure. 

The waterfalls were beautiful as well.  We had fun climbing onto the slimy rocks to pose for pictures.  We almost fell a few times… Well actually, I did fall and dropped my phone in the river.  Sad day- I’ll have to get a new phone now.  But it was a funny moment for sure.  Legs out from under me, I landed at least 3 different positions, until finally resulting in torn jeans, a bloody knee and funny pictures provided by my friends who thought it more necessary to capture the experience via picture than to assist in my slow-motion descent to the wet, slippery ground.  I, evidently, really know my way around a river.  

That evening we met up with some friends at a pub in Paddington.  It’s always difficult to make it downtown since you have to take so many buses and trains.  I think I prefer staying closer in for my nights out.  It’s less of a hassle.  However, Laura, Mary and I enjoyed the conversations at the pub with Tom, his friends and some other friendly Australians.  

Sitting on the bench, carved in the first sister

Three Sisters at the Three Sisters

Playing in the creek

Katoomba Falls

Out in Paddington with the girls