Have you ever felt that your life is just happening? It’s occurring and your body is going through the motions but at the same time you are so consumed with a variety of emotions that you can’t comprehend exactly what is happening, even though it is. That is how I felt at the airport. It was February 18th and I was about to leave my family, my friends, and my homeland (the only land I have ever known) for a dive into a completely new culture for five months. My flight was scheduled to leave LAX at 8:15 p.m. After I checked in (and luckily didn’t have to pay extra for my luggage) I tried to relax before I had to go through security at 7:00. Saying goodbye was the hardest part. Those hugs would be the last time I could physically hold my loved ones for almost half a year. I savored those moments for as long as I could. As I went up the escalator, and my mom snapped a couple last photos, I watched my family stand there and become smaller and smaller and further away.
I made it through security and then proceeded to the waiting lounge. There were probably over 100 seats, and they were all taken. I managed to find a spot on the ground next to a pole and a trashcan. As I tried to compose myself, I kept thinking to myself, “This is a once in a lifetime adventure, I am young and eager and I am going to explore a completely new country, a completely new continent for that matter. This is going to be fun!” As I sat there, I people watched and an Australian Cheer Team caught my attention; they all sat huddled together with a large trophy. Abruptly, they stood up and began singing, “We competed in the USA” to the tune of Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA.” They were clad in red, white and blue sweat suits, with a bold embroidered “AUSTRALIA” logo on the back. It was quite entertaining to watch and hear them chanting in their accents to a song that I am familiar with.
After about twenty minutes, a voice came over the loud speaker and announced that they were going to begin boarding the plane to Sydney. All of a sudden there was a mass hubbub of people trying to line up so they could depart LAX for Sydney. I stood in line and waited for them to board the Economy passengers. As I was going to step off of the loading dock to the plane, a man named Lachlan checked my boarding pass and enthusiastically exclaimed “Welcome aboard Ashley, we are excited to have you with us.” I found my seat (38K, a window seat) and sat next to a retired Australian couple that was just passing through LAX to return home to Sydney; they had recently traveled to Ecuador and the Amazon. They were very kind and pleasant people. They suggested that I see the Opera House and go to Bronte Beach.
While everybody was getting settled on the plane, I looked out the window. As we took off, I watched all of the lights, buildings, and roads turn to pinpricks, specks, and lines as thin as thread. The world I have known my entire life, my homeland, would soon be out of sight and I would be across the Pacific Ocean and half way across the world.
The plane (V Australia) was quite comfortable. I was supplied with a pillow, a blanket, headphones, earplugs, and an eyemask. There were so many movies available to watch! I watched “Going the Distance,” “Life As We Know It,” “Due Date,” and parts of “Toy Story 3” and “Knight and Day.” The food was surprisingly tasty and satisfying. I had beef and vegetables with salad and pie for dinner and an egg muffin with russet potatoes, yogurt, and orange juice for breakfast. At first, I was worried about the sixteen hour flight. I have never been on a long flight before, much less an international flight, by myself. However, the flight was super easy and comfortable! I made sure to get up and walk around a couple times during the flight as well. I arrived in Sydney at about 6:20 a.m. on Sunday, February 20th. Flying such an interesting concept when you truly think about it, it is the closest thing to time travel. Essentially, I lost Saturday the 19th. A whole day! That aspect of traveling intrigues me.
As I watched the sun rising over Sydney as the plane was landing, it was truly beautiful. I got off the plane and made my way through customs. I have never been through customs, so when they asked me if I had anything, I said I had “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Almond Joys”; the security guard looked at me with a slightly puzzled look and laughed a little.
After I was through customs and had retrieved my luggage, I went to the Duty Free shops and bought two converters (10.95 each) so I could plug in my computer to the Australian outlets. Then, I immediately wanted to contact my family to tell them I had arrived safely. I tried to set up my computer to hopefully pick up a WiFi network at the airport, but to my dismay I had no such luck. The airport in Sydney was huge! I was alone, and toting around over 100 pounds of luggage. I sat down and rested for a little bit and then I saw counters for Vodafone and Yes, Optus. I lingered around the Vodafone counter and then went over to look at the Yes, Optus counter. The salespeople at the Optus counter were very friendly and willing to answer all of my questions about how to set up my phone. They recommended the “International Calls 4 Less” plan, which allows you to call the USA for 4 cents a minute and text the USA for 20 cents per message. It was the cheapest plan that they had, so I started out with a $10 SIM card. It was so nice to call home.
Then, I was on my own. Before I left, I had arranged to stay with another study abroad student from UCI upon arrival in Sydney because I would not be able to get the key to my student accommodation until after a housing orientation on Monday. I followed the signs to get a taxi and then when I was waiting in the long and twisty line (equivalent to a line for a ride at Disneyland) I realized one of the wheels on my big suitcase had broken off! At that point, I did not want to lose my spot in line so I dragged it through the line and it made a loud screeching sound from metal grinding against concrete. It was hot and humid and I was exhausted from barely sleeping on the plane and from dragging my suitcases and carry-on baggage. I eventually made it to the front of the line and caught a taxi. It was nice to relax in the air-conditioned car as I was driven to my friend’s apartment. The way that drivers sit on the opposite side of the vehicle and drive on the opposite side of the road was interesting to see from the back seat of a cab. The cab fare was quite expensive. It cost me $31.70 to get from the airport to Quay Street. Luckily, in Australia the norm is not to tip, so that is one way you can save a couple dollars every time you pay for a service or eat at a restaurant.
The other study abroad student, Erica, arranged to live at Urban Nest. It is a very modern and chic place to live with bright colors and free internet on Mac computers downstairs in the lobby. As soon as I got up to Erica’s room, I was relieved when she offered to let me use the shower. Relaxed and refreshed, we decided to explore.
We walked through the city and I took pictures of pretty much everything I saw. I was excited and amused by the entirely new scenery. We walked to Darling Harbour and decided to visit the Sydney Aquarium. At the Aquarium you can buy the “Unlimited Adventure Pass” for unlimited entry into the Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, The Sydney Tower, and Oceanworld Manly through June 30th for $60. I thought this was a great deal considering a one day entry fee to the aquarium is $35.
The aquarium was great! I saw sharks, turtles, octopi, sting rays, seahorses, jelly fish, dugongs, and penguins.
They even have a Shark Hatchery where you can touch the shark eggs! It was amazing. I also talked to a couple of the people that worked at the aquarium and they attend Sydney Uni as well! When I explained that I was from California and that it was my first day in Sydney, they were thrilled and very welcoming. After the aquarium, Erica and I walked back to her place and I took a nap because the jet lag was finally hitting me!
After my nap, we walked to a pub and had pizza. Pubs usually have dinner specials; however the food is still expensive. In Sydney, water bottles are really expensive as well! In the vending machines they are $4.00 and at the aquarium they were $3.80. However, one trick I have found out: if you go to the pubs, you can order a refreshing iced water with lemon for FREE! It is important to stay hydrated, especially since it is so hot in Sydney :)
After pizzas at the pub, we went to sleep to wake up early for Orientation at the University. It was definitely an eventful first day in Sydney, Australia and I was stoked to see the campus where I would be studying for the semester!
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