Oz Open

Okay....I think it's time that admit I have a problem. I am severely addicted to the blue court that is the Aussie Open. Tonight, Friday evening at 7:30, Nadal and Verdasco began semifinal play. It is now 12:18am - and I am up - alone, watching and yelling - and just moments ago Senor Verdasco just took the tie break of the fourth set, and we are now headed into the fifth, and deciding match. Some time ago, probably mid-second set, I ditched the contacts and have been sporting the specs, but my eyes cannot handle this - they(my eyes and the athletes) have been at it now for 5 hours...I was really hoping that Rafa (that's how the cool kids refer to Nadal) would put Fernando (and me) out of our collective misery in four sets - but that's not how the game is shaking out tonight.

I am not sure if it is because of my close vicinity to the AU Open (I do usually get into other Grand Slam matches, but not like this) this time around or what, but I can't pull my self away! I partially blame the lack of ESPN in my diet here in Sydney, so the fact that this is live, and exactly like it would be at home, is really speaking my language. If you'd like to join in on the madness I suggest you hurry up http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/index.html

Because it is all winding down...tomorrow S. Williams and Safina will play for the woman's title, and on Sunday will be the men's final.

I learned today that there is a massive big screen and bleachers set up down at Circular Quay to watch the games live - and they are actually selling AU Open gear (and other necessary souvenirs...so you can bet that I will be checking that out tomorrow).

It's 12:38 in the A.....and they are still going at it. 

Day 2

Tuesday morning started early as well - breakfast, buffet style, yet again -- cereal, toast with an assortment of spreads, Vegemite included of course, some fruit...and baked beans?? I didn't ask questions, it was 7am, and I really just wanted to get back to the beach.

Here is the entire group during our morning stretch together. I think I am over there on the right somewhere. After getting the limbs nice and warm, we broke into our groups, and Justin taught us a bit more about the ocean, how to "search" for the good waves, the currents the rips; the different kind of rips, how to get out of a rip, etc.  And after our lesson on the sand we were back into the water. And as much as I wished I would be able to pop right up on the very first wave, it wasn't that simple. I think it took me about 25 minutes to get the rhythm back that I had the day before. The waves were much smaller, and more inconsistent than they had been on day one - so once a good wave came along we were all fighting for it.

Most of my down time between the lessons were spent glued to the big screen back at camp watching the the drama unfold at Australian Open - it's safe to say I am addicted, and that if I could've I would have spent a fair chunk of January in Melbourne seeing it all in person. The only perk about missing out on the action is that Melbourne is experiencing a massive heat wave right now, they have had 3 days in a row of 43 Celsius (which is about 111 F) They have never had a heat wave like this - ever. So all and all it is okay I didn't make the trek down to Rod Laver Arena in beautiful Victoria.

By the time our fourth and final lesson rolled around my arms were beyond tired and pushing myself up on my board was becoming difficult to say the least. The waves had calmed down to a gentle lull and were even more few and far between than they had been in the morning session. Every so often when a good wave came a long we all wanted it - but at the beginning of the fourth lesson Justin had taught us about surf etiquette, the dos and don'ts of catching waves and how not to look like a complete beginner out in the surf. So, with that being said, we had to try to show some restraint when a good wave was coming up the back.

And surfing may not look like a ton of work, but you couldn't be more wrong. There were campers who were scheduled to stay for 4 full days, and I am willing to bet they are still a bit sore today.

We are heading out to Manly Saturday morning  to try out our new surf skills - we hear the waves are going to be good, and we're not about to miss out.

Gidget goes to Surf Camp!

On Monday morning we set out for a two day adventure to Rip Curl's Surf Camp.

We met up with the rest of the novice surfers at Sydney Central YHA (the main youth hostel here in Sydney) at the crack of dawn, well it wasn't that early, but taking the train at 6:45 in the morning isn't my favorite way to wake up.

Chris and I were waiting around for about 10 minutes before anyone walked past who looked like they might be heading to Surf Camp too - we all stood around waiting for our Grey Hound to pull up to the curb. The majority of the crowd were younger back packer types who smelled, and appeared as though they hadn't seen a bar of soap in a few days -- it was like an 8am lecture in Iowa City all over again.

We packed into the Grey Hound , aka the Skinny Dog and headed about 2.5 hours south of Sydney to Seven Mile Beach, just south of the town Gerroa. We pulled into the camp, off the Pacific Coast highway - and headed toward the Rip Curl bungalows which sat on the river that led us to the beach...where we would spend the bulk of our next two days.

I realized pretty quickly that not only were Chris and I bit older than the rest of the campers, but we were the only wannabe surfers from the states. And besides the instructors there was only one other Australian - our crew was full of Brits, Germans, French, Swedes, Swiss, Norwegians, there a few from Denmark and Finland as well...it seemed like all of our fellow campers smoked, and were more interested in looking good while at camp, rather than actually surfing - I found this all very entertaining.

Chris and I bunked up with Dave, the Australian and Robert the German -- who were also the only other campers signed up for a two day speed course on how to surf. About an hour of orientation and getting settled into our bunks we hit the beach for our first of four lessons. 

Chris, Justin (Our Coach) and Me on the Second Day of Surf Camp.

We spent the first chunk of the lesson on the sand, it is much easier to learn how to stand on your "sand" surf board, and than it is to actually figure out how to get your feet about you in the ocean.  But a few waves into lesson numero uno I was actually standing up on my own!

The way they broke it down for us was a three step process (sounds simple enough right?) Once you feel the wave start to push the board you 1. Push up, 2. Front foot 3. Back foot -- Meaning, you push yourself up, and bring your front foot (could be your right or your left, it just depends which way you stand on your board - I am "normal/right" footed, and Chris is "goofy/left" footed)  between your hands (that should still be down on the board) and the lastly slide your back foot up and it should sit perpendicular to the board. Now, I realize the "1, 2, 3 - Surf!" process may sound easy, but actually mastering it is a whole different ball game.

After the first lesson we headed back to the main hangout/picnic area of camp for a buffet style bbq, and let me just tell you now, the kitchen staff is not paid, they are young guys who came through camp - and decided they wanted more time to surf...so their housing is taken care of, and they can surf whenever they want - but they have to make the food, usually for about 50 campers plus the instructors 3 times a day.....and although we were all starved after our first go with this surfing business, I was happy to know that I would only have to eat the camp food for two days.

By the second lesson, I was no longer dragging my knees along my board, and I had quit doing the "Titanic" move as they call it - facing forward on your board with your arms out like an airplane - you basically look like a huge moron, but I was just so excited not to be wiping out every few waves I could care less if I looked like Kate Winslet in a wet suit! Chris was having a great first day too - he was getting up and catching waves in the first lesson, and continued to take a few pointers from Justin during the afternoon. Half way through lesson number two Justin was teaching us how to shuffle up the board to keep momentum and how to do forehand and backhand turns on the wave -- and much to my surprise, I was able to do both -- I was even able to pull off a trick on my first day in the water, and I was so excited about it, I am going to re-tell it to you all now, just because I am so proud of myself.  

So Justin said, I think you should try to catch this wave, and then once you have your balance jump up and turn, (a 180 basically) so I would be facing the other way, with my left foot forward - and after getting bashed by a couple of waves, I actually pulled it off! I couldn't believe it.

Day 2 of Surf Camp -- Coming soon! So stay tuned :)

Out and About...pictures included.

I promised pictures of the Northern Beach hike - and thanks to my ridiculously slow Internet connection, here are a couple of the shots I could actually get to load! So here are some pictures we took on the way from Manly to Dee-Why, sorry there aren't more to check out. I have however uploaded the walk in its entirety on facebook.

The beach communities here are very fond of the beach side pool, or more commonly known as the bathing pool here in Australia. This specific pool is in North Curl Curl (if I am remembering correctly) it was the one I mentioned in the previous blog -- where there were kids darting around me at warp speed along the rocks racing out toward the pool. Once you make it out to the pool it is basically a dead end -- there are huge boulders and cliff formations around the bend from the pool that we walked out to, but in order to continue on the hike we took a daunting, rickety flight of steps back up the hill -

And here I am at the top of Curl Curl....shoes sopping wet, and slightly winded from the climb back up the hill. If you squint really hard you can see Manly in the background. It was close to 90 degrees that day (that's about 40 Celsius) so I didn't mind that my shoes were wet, it kept me cool for about 15 minutes, and then it was just flat out uncomfortable.

I finished up the Bryson book a week or so ago, but when I feel like you need tidbits of Australian trivia I will pull him back into the blog - if you hadn't picked up on it, I highly recommend grabbing yourself a copy.

And just in case you weren't getting enough inauguration coverage back home - I thought I would share a little bit from a daily paper, Mx, here in Sydney:

Australia and Indonesia think "yes he can" but China, Malaysia and Singapore aren't so sure, according to a new study. Media Monitors' investigation into press coverage across the Asia-Pacific found the Australian media was more enamored with the incoming US president than any other.

 -- I found it pretty interesting, they do really seem to love him in the coverage I have seen on the local news - but frankly I think people would have fallen in love with any one who was in line to replace G.W. And Mom, I know you were worried about me missing out on the history of the big day back in the states - and I just wanted you to know my channel 7 news here was just as dedicated to the historical moment as the networks back home, so I haven't missed out on a thing!

In addition to Obama taking over D.C. we have also had a very busy week of our own here in Sydney. Chris's coworker Kari and her family arrived in Sydney on Sunday, and will be living here for a year - and although they have only been here a few days its great to have a few more Americans around :)

Out and About

So finding a job after the holiday rush here in Sydney is proving to be a bit more difficult than my optimistic-self had originally planned for. But have no fear, it has only been about 12 days of unemployment and I have several decent options in the works.  A bookstore, a few clothing stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and a receptionist for a new gym thats opening in a nearby suburb, Newtown (Not to be confused with Iowa's own, Newton.) So hopefully next week I will be writing to tell you all that I am gainfully employed.

But in the mean time -- I have learned a few things; for example that 5 beers here in Sydney-land does not, absolutely positively does NOT equal 5 beers back home. No way, no how. 

I met Chris after work on Friday at our beloved Custom's House, for our weekly batch of wedges and a nice refreshing pint of Stella. I had another to wash down the awesomeness that are the wedges...(keep in mind I had no intention of getting over served). We finished up there and then wondered over to the Belgian Beer Cafe, located dangerously close to our front door. And to make matters even worse (or better, depending who you ask) we have befriended our very own bartender next door, his name is Mo. And well, I am not sure if it was the first European ale schooner (smaller than a pint) that did me in, or maybe it was the tiny shot sized sampler of some super dark German lager, or I suppose it could have been that final Stella I had to have, in order to keep up with the boys. Whatever it was, it didn't bode well for me. And to spare you all the silly, and rather gory details; but I was out around 9pm, and the saddest part of it all is, Chris had gone across the street to get take out from a lovely little Italian place called Giovanni's. (And here comes the sad part)by the time he brought it home I was down for the count. So lame. And so much for my pasta! That's what you get when you think Bud Lights are the same as Stellas.  Sigh.

On Sunday we headed up north, via ferry to Manly where we had planned a morning of hiking the northern beaches, much like we did on the Bondi to Coogee southern walk, it is the same sort of idea to the north...except this trail was more of a "true" hike, compared to the bike path leisure walk of the southern beaches. 

We saw Manly, North Styene, Queenscliff, Freshwater, Curl Curl, North Curl Curl (yes, North Curl Curl...apparently one Curl Curl was not enough to satisfy the locals for that stretch of beach) we finally called it good when we reached Dee-Why  - a good 4.5 miles from where we had started off. While on the walk there were several spots where we had to scale along the side of the shore on huge rocks...and I am sure I got passed up by a dozen 10 year olds, all hoping along the rocks at seemingly warp speed. I was impressed with their talent to move so swiftly from boulder to even bigger boulder, but I was annoyed with my self for suddenly realizing I was the "old" person in their way. I had only one minor slip up (as most of you know I am a bit of a clutz) about half way through the walk, I was strolling along Curl Curl (I think) soaking it all in and watching everything but the tide...which came up a bit high, (out of no where! And Chris's "watch out Sam!" came a bit too late) and put me in soggy Nike's for the remainder of the walk. Either way the walk was beautiful, sunny, and doable for even non-experienced hikers and I do have pictures to post - I'll do that for you tomorrow.

Cheers!

Happy 2009!

If this photo doesn't scream Happy 2009! Then I don't know what does! This picture was taken about 30 minutes after midnight in Sydney, and there were massive street parties going on all over the city - we were walking back to the apartment when we stumbled upon a bit of dance party happening right on Bridge Street, so we stayed and showed the other party animals a thing or two.

I realize there has been a gap in my blogs, and I am deeply sorry for any loneliness you may have experienced due to your lack of Kanga Route blogging - but I have been a rather busy gal as of late.

The first month and a half of being here in Sydney I was doing some freelance projects for a company back home - and just before the New Year my work was completed with them, so now I am on the hunt for a job here in Sydney. I am actually heading out this afternoon to check out The Rocks neighborhood to see what I can find -- there plenty of little restaurants and shops so keep your fingers crossed that one of the hundred little shops just outside my front door are in the need for a 24 year old, American, for the next four months. Seriously -- keep 'em crossed.

So I am sure you are asking yourself - Sam, what the heck have you been up to then? Well lets see, between Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years - Chris had 10 out of 15 days away from work - we did the walk along the southern beaches; Bondi to Bronte, and then we just kept heading south to Coogee. Christmas Day was a bit cool and cloudy so we didn't end up heading to the beach in our Santa hats like we were hoping -- but Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) it was gorgeous and we hung out on the patio all day, soaking in the Sydney sun. We went to the largest IMAX screen in the world and saw, (for the second time) the Dark Knight. 

New Years was quite the spectacle - the entire Central Business District (CBD) shuts down and the streets are free for all of the people roam all day and all night. It was like nothing I had ever seen before; the streets were just as busy at 9pm as they were at 5am. The weather was perfect, there were nearly 1.5 million people crammed into The Rocks and the CBD area, the streets in the Circular Quay were lined with Hot Dog stands, Fish and Chips stands, people selling glow sticks (much safer than sparklers when you are dealing with millions of people). It was basically like the Iowa State fair x20...and just a bit more classy...but not by much.

Australians really don't mess around when it comes to celebrating, not only were there the traditional 12pm fireworks, but an earlier show at 9pm for the younger kids and families. And our apartment was the perfect spot for the "warm up" show. After the first burst of NYE we made our way over to Chris's office to watch the midnight firework display off of the Harbour Bridge, and from the 43rd floor of the AMP building we had quite a view. Like I said before, the city didn't really quiet down until 5am or so....therefore, there wasn't much sleep to be had - we had several friends stay at our place that night - and no one wanted the party to end. Needless to say, most of us have given up drinking for the entire month of January. And I am okay with that.

And I promised there were surf lessons, just after New Years - and I actually was able to stand up by the end of the lesson! We have booked our tickets to Surf Camp and we will be going later in January -- I will come back a pro I'm sure.

I thought I would share this little tid bit with you to close for the day - from my pal Bryson....

"In 1954 (flight) prices began to fall, but even by the end of the decade traveling to Europe by air still cost as much as a new car. Nor was it terribly speedy or comfortable experience. The Super Constellations took three days to reach London and lacked the power or range to dodge most storms. When monsoons or cyclones were encountered, the pilots had no choice but to put on the seat belt signs and bounce through them......Quantas called it, without evident irony, the Kangaroo Route."

How about that! I should probably let Bryson know that my blog shares the name with the old Quantas flight - how ironic is that!?