Chinatown

Natasha called in sick on Thursday so she accompanied me to Chinatown for me to check out and get some "cheap and cheery" food (as Prap would say it). Chinatown - Sydney is just like any other chinatown in the US, just like San Francisco. Mooncakes, buns, egg custard pies, mochis, etc. And of course, their version of Tapioca Express/boba milk tea...called Easy Way. It seems to have been a fad here about the same time as in the bay area. Carlo, my brother, thought I might not be able to find a boba milk tea place here so I had that as my last supper before I left the US. Within 9 days of arriving in Sydney, I found one. And now that I know what its called, I seem to notice more and more of it around the city and everywhere. Nice! Makes me feel at home...hahahhaha!!!

After having lunch in Chinatown, Natasha walked me through the surrounding area. There was Hyde park where they had more of the 'Art and About' exhibits. And the St Mary's Cathedral next to the park, one of the older Catholic churches around here and the main church for significant events. (This is where the St Mary's Cathedral choir belong...which I saw perform at last Sunday's mass). Per Natasha, the British inhabitants erected their Anglican Church in the middle of the city. When the Catholics wanted to build their own, the Anglicans gave them the piece of land between the dumpster and the area where people with diseases where quarantined. That Catholic church is St Mary's Cathedral. If you see it today, it is surrounded by a beautiful park (Hyde park) and lots of trees. On the other hand, the Anglican Church is now surrounded by buildings and businesses where lots of traffic and people pass by everyday.


Since I've arrived in Sydney, its been cloudy and rainy. This day was not an exception. After checking out Chinatown, I went home with no umbrella and lots of plastic bags to carry. Once I got off the bus, I just realized that I forgot my house key in my room. It started to rain very hard but good thing the bus stop was shaded. What to do, what to do??? I went at the back of our house, left all the stuff there, and went back to the city. At 6:30pm, I am to attend a Taize at St Patrick's Church with Mitch and Natasha. It was only 5pm when I got to the city...and it was still raining. Good thing I've been observant of the area for the past few days and I knew there was a Four Seasons Hotel next to the church. So I lounged, used the restroom, and hanged out at the Four Season's lobby for about an hour before I met up with Mitch and Natasha at the church. Sosi!!! Hehehhee.

Saturday, we went to IKEA to buy more furnitures (table, drawers, and a mirror) for my room. My room is getting there. After that, we went to Sydney's Olympic park (used during the 2000 Olympics), took some pictures, watched a cycling event, and checked out the Aquatic Center where lots of Australians won medals for swimming (ie. Ian Thorpe, the "Thorpedo"). Went home, had dinner at "Gioia" with the gang, and went to the cinema to watch "Pride and Prejudice." (Note: the Italian film festival is being celebrated here in our Italian neighborhood of Leichhardt from Oct 13-30).

So far, things have been eventful here at my stay in Sydney... but need to get a job soon!