Tour of Sydney

I finally got my first good look at Sydney. The International Student office at Macquarie has kindly arranged several day trips for the international students in the week before classes begin (Aug. 2). So I decided to make good use of the free walking tour of Sydney that was offered on Tuesday. It included all the highlights of Sydney: the Opera House, the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Queen Victoria Building, Town Hall, the Rocks, (don't be deceived--the Rocks are not a large pile of artfully arranged stones. It's the name of the oldest area in Sydney first settled by intrepid explorers), in addition to a couple of random stops like the Channel 7 building and the Sydney Hospital. The first stop, of course, was the Sydney Opera House. 
I must admit, seeing the Opera House in the flesh was such an experience. I've seen so many pictures and video clips of it over the years that you almost forget it's a real place and not some fanciful drawing on a postcard. We stepped out of the train station and it was just---there. Right in front of us. Rising off the edge of the harbor and blossoming into enormous white sails. It was like being in Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, or St. Paul's Catheral in London. So, yes, I've officially had my first "tourist moment" in Sydney. I plan to go back once it's a bit warmer (and sunnier) to have another look at it. And maybe even see a show if I can save up enough on my meager pay.
The weather that day wasn't perfect--it was a bit chilly and we got drizzled on later--but it was a rather enjoyable day all around with my favorite stop being a Lindt cafe. (Yes, it is the same Lindt that makes those wonderful chocolate truffles I love.) It was actually a really posh little place because it's right smack in the middle of downton where all the bigwigs work (one of the patrons was in a tux!) so I felt a bit underdressed in jeans. However, all was forgotten after I had my first sip of my Lindt hot chocolate. Heavenly!
The sights aside, the trip also gave me the chance to meet heaps (a very common Australian phrase) of other international students from all over--Austria, India, Holland, Finland, France, Germany, and of course some Americans, too, from Montana, Maine, New Jersey, and North Carolina. It's funny how we all kind of cling to each other since we're all miles away from home and all things familiar. It definitely makes adjusting to life here easier as there's nearly always someone to turn to.
Below are some pictures from the tour. My laptop is being cantankerous so I'm not sure when I'll get videos up, but I'll try and upload additional photos in an album on Facebook so keep an eye out for them!