Unrelenting Beauty

Welcome all, to my very first entry:

I welcome you to my new home, my new lifestyle, my new friends, my new adventure, my new life here in Sydney. As most of you know, I haven't been able to deliver updates since I arrived almost three weeks ago. This was due to the fact that I have not had internet in my house. I assure you however, that the past three weeks have been more than I could have anticipated.

Since my arrival, I've stepped into the warmest ocean my skin has ever felt. I've been caught in a tropical rainstorm while waiting for the bus in a northern beach town, raindrops the size of almonds, warm as forgotten bathwater. I've seen the most enormous rainbow reach from the horizon in the sea and arch all the way across Manly bay to a pot of gold on Manly Head Point. I sailed in a yacht race around the harbor on my third day here; we came in 3rd place for our division. I've walked almost every inch of the city and surrounding suburbs. My roommate Anna and I walked from our home district of Ultimo to the city of Manly; 20 miles on a lovely day. We carried no map, only asked passersby for general directions, everyone looked at us as though we were crazy when we told them where we were walking to, we hadn't even told them how far we had already come. I surfed for my first time in ages, and found myself disgusted by how warm I was in my new wetsuit. It appears as though a 4-3 wetsuit doesn't "really exist" in these parts of Australia. It was the most fun I've ever had surfing. Johannes, my German roommate, came with me to surf Freshwater Cove, he was practically dragging me out of the water after the sun had gone down.
"Just one more wave!" I kept repeating. "No Marnie, we must go home now..." was his response.
As I mentioned, I live in the suburb of Ultimo, which is only a block away from Darling Harbor. It's hard to believe I actually live here. The architecture of the buildings in this area is jaw dropping. Pictures cannot convey the actual essence of how beautiful all the buildings are; the panoramic view that encompasses the 180 degree area at night time will numb your body and look surreal to the touch. This has led to the title of my post, I can think of no other name for this place except The City of Unrelenting Beauty.

I have acquired more friends in my first four days here than I could have thought possible. I went sailing with Dan and Locky (two friends from couchsurfing.com) on my first Sunday here. Locky's brother Hamish, Jade (Hamish's girlfriend) and Nick all came sailing with us. I'll be moving in with Hamish and Andrew on June 1st to there house in Manly, one of the best surfing beaches in Sydney. Oh, and of course I must mention, my bedroom window is 50 feet from the beach. When I wake up in the morning, all I have to do is roll over to check out the surf (which by the way is always good). I promise to take a photo of the sun rising on the water my first morning there. I know... I can't believe it either!!!

If there has ever been a time in my life where everything has seemed to fold into place so neatly and wonderfully, this is it. I cannot wait for what the rest of my days here will unfold to, the people I will get to meet, and the things I'm about the learn.

I miss you all already, very much. I will update and post pics as often as I'm able. Thanks for reading.

Manly Beach
Sydney from the Ferry
Harbor Bridge
The Crew: Hamish, Jade, Nick, and Dan
Jade and I
Dan working hard for 1st place
There are over 150 yachts in the Sunday races
Nick on the boon and our beautiful red sail
Hamish was confident
The view from Dan and Locky's appartment
These lovely birds call once at dawn and once at dusk. It sounds like a combination of a hyena, howler monkeys, and a giggling 5 year old...
This guy is our "Daddy Long legs"
Cockatoos have the most horrid call
Manly Scenic Walkway
My new home
Yup... BATS! Thousands of them
Everyone drives these. OW! Tight!
Opera house and bridge from Botanical Gardens