Tears

Friday, 16 July, 2004 by Donna V. Whitmore

We woke up at 4:00 a.m. to prepare for our bus trip back to Brisbane and parts south (Sydney). True to their word, Aunties Rossie and Mally showed up at 4:30 a.m. to see us off! Remarkable! (The night before, Gail, Cheryl and I accompanied Auntie Mally and Auntie Rossie to their homes in Hervey Bay, where Auntie Rossie gave Cheryl and I each an oil painting done by one of her nephews. We were astounded! These ladies are the cutiest, sweetest Aunties you could hope to meet! They are sisters and are just delightful!) The Aunties showed up sans nities and robes! To leave them and Gail behind was a heart breaker; they gave us so much of themselves.

Our Brisbane-to-Hervey Bay bus driver (Brian) drove our Hervey Bay-to-Brisbane leg of the trip; we weren't so lively for the first couple of hours. We stopped for breakfast and finally arrived in Brisbane mid-day. We flew from Brisbane to Sydney — a very pleasant flight.

We were bussed from the airport to the Renaissance Stafford Hotel and got settled in, then went off to explore our new surroundings. After a few hours of sightseeing, window-shopping and dinner in Sydney, we returned to our hotel and a wonderful hot shower!

Sydney is very cosmopolitan, but very unlike any large city I have experienced. It is full of surprises — huge shopping malls open up off unlikely-looking "alley" entrances. The shops sell anything you could want or ask for. Cheryl and I found a small grocery within a block of our hotel with internet access. We bought a few things to stock our refrigerator, which was complete with range, oven, dishes, pots and pans, glassware, coffee pot, etc., etc. Maybe we will finally eat our canned meats we brought all the way over from the U.S.!

Cheryl is the best roommate I could ask for! We had a great time experimenting with the water running down the drain - it swirls backward in the southern hemisphere! She also found a HUGE leaf, which she held in front of her face and I photographed. She also washed her shoelaces while she took her shower and lost one down the drain! It is very different being in a room with just her instead of the 13/14 of us snoring away in our tent - I miss the fun, but can use the sleep!

Word for the day: TEARS