For a city of 4.5 million people, Sydney doesn't actually feel that busy. Perhaps because the land area is so large (approx. 12,000 sq. km, compared to Calgary's 800 sq. km), with the city being comprised of many smaller "suburbs", each with it's own character.
The past few weeks have been crazy and sometimes I need to remind myself where I am and look up to see all the cool stuff in front of me. So I've been trying to seize the moment, take more photos and soak in whatever I can.
Paddington
It was getting to be that time where I was craving a hair cut, or so I bought a deal on Groupon and yesterday I went to a salon in trendy Paddington, approximately 20 minute walk from the CBD (the CBD, or the Central Business District, is the equivalent to "the core" in Calgary). But of course being the directionally challenged person that I am, went the long way (as advised on google maps) and it took more than twice that time Anyways...
I don't actually yet mind all the wandering around I do while partially lost, as this city is still a new place and there seems to almost always be things to discover. And yesterday, while wandering to the hair salon, I realized that I would for once be around to check out the Paddington Market.
The markets are one of my favourite parts of Sydney, which it seems are almost always hosted on the compounds of a school, with the school recovering some of the profits. (Not a bad way of making some extra income on a weekend to help fund extra-curriculars!) I don't even always buy things but it's fun to check out the different booths, listen to whatever local artist is busking and of course, to people watch. I noticed right away that the Paddington Market, like, its upper class yuppy residents, is that much more "upscale" than the Glebe, Rozelle and North Sydney markets. I guess it only makes sense that the market caters to the clientele (I checked, a condo like mine would cost approx. $500,000). My favourite market so far is the Glebe market, where you can buy natural soaps, fun t-shirts and homemade gluten-free cupcakes. My least favourite market was the Rozelle market, which was mostly vintage, which while fun to poke around, just isn't my thing. The North Sydney market is in The Rocks, a touristy district, so sells lots of touristy stuff. Paddington market was pretty nice but pricy, but had the best music. I sampled some good tea and chocolate, but both products were $17/bag and $12/bag respectively. -->a little more than I wanted to spend for the day.
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| Along the main road |
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| More along the road |
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| Paddington Market! |
At the end of it all I did finally get my hair cut and, what might've been the most delicious pastry I've had in Sydney (which was still nothing compared to what you can get at Manuel Latruwe in Calgary! *drool*)
Surrey Hills
I've had this craving for a good hamburger for the past week, so my friend Carmen finally agreed to come out with me to eat (and so I could show off my new hair!). We went to Surrey Hills, another trendy district, to a pub called Forresters, whose burgers were apparently rated #3 in Sydney. It hit the spot but it was only comparable to a Clive burger in Calgary. Sydney doesn't have a huge burger culture.
Bankstown and Canley Vale
In addition to having suburbs that you can walk to from the CBD, there are real suburbs that are what I would actually call suburbs. Bankstown and Canley Vale are two of those suburbs, which are about a half hour's drive away. Mike helped me with some errands last week so afterwards we went to Bankstown for the best bowl of pho I've had so far in Sydney, and then because there is always room for dessert, to Canley Vale for pandan ice cream. Yum! It still boggles me though, as "the best pho in Sydney" is very similar to the bowls you can get in Calgary.
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| Fountain. |
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| Waiting for ice cream in a Vietnamese dessert house. The place was nicely decorated with paintings that included figurines and fountains. So fancy.
The Rocks
It might have been a crazy weekend last weekend, but I was still able to meet Heather at the Aroma Coffee Festival at The Rocks. I think I saw more people that day than I've seen yet in Sydney, as the event drew a massive turnout. It was so busy that I didn't even queue up for a coffee. But was still fun to get out and see what was going on.
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After being inspired and nourished by some of Carmen's cooking as of late, and now that I'm staying in my own comfortable (though still shared, but that's Sydney) flat, I baked for the first time since moving from my Aussie family's house: a chocolate zucchini cake. Happy :)
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| mmm |
