Douglas Down Under

               This blog was originally supposed to be about my stuffed llama, Douglas, traveling to Australia with me. However, I’m still trying to get in the habit of remembering to bring him with me everywhere. The first week in Sydney was a whirlwind of activity. I wandered around a large portion of the Central Business District, ate some amazing food, ate some not so amazing food, got my life sorted out, and moved into my very first apartment. Whoa. Here's some pictures from the past week:

The phallic plastic bottle sculpture at the TSA entrance. I'm sure it's supposed to mean something symbolic about recycling and the environment, but it was lost on me.

Douglas and I enjoyed our final meal in the States (It was alright, the Rockwall Fudruckers is better)

Before 17 hour flight

In flight remote

Rice and Chicken!

Humungo breakfast (get the fruit, probably more fresh)

After 17 hour flight (I only napped about 4 hours off an on).

Look at that plane!! Massive.

Douglas dreams of a bottom bunk. We got a bottom bunk on Sunday when we switched rooms.

China Town. The food was expensive, and alright. I actually liked the food court food more.

Simple duck

Simple soup - didn't realize it wasn't an appetizer. Appetizers aren't a thing in Australia

AAAAH It's a spider. The first spider I saw, he didn't eat much. 

Paddy Market. One isle of a bajillion. I'm not sure how many isles there were, but it was a lot. This is where you get your fake Prada bags.

The Wake Up! hostel I stayed at. A historic building in the Central Business District (CBD)

Breakfast from Roy's Cafe beneath the hostel. Delicious! 

Laksa soup from the mall above Paddy Market in China Town.

The iconic Harbor Bridge. Much bigger in person.

The Sydney Opera House. Nice, but looks prettier at night all lit up. I forgot to take a lit up picture before I left.

Grilled kangaroo! from the Searock Grill. It was alright!

Then I got a sinus/ear infection. Thought it was a cold, so I treated it like a cold.

It wasn't a cold...

Made a pigeon friend. He only had one foot. He lives at the mall on World Square in CBD

My Apartment building! 

I've got a little kitchenette (Douglas is fond of the toaster)

I've got a TV, a desk, and a tall boy. I have a wardrobe as well, but it's plain so I didn't include a picture of it

A balcony to let the breeze in because Australia doesn't like ACs. You're a 1st world country, Australia. It's time for some AC

I've got a comfy bed and clean sheets (I had to rewash them because I think they hung them on a line to dry and there was a stain that looked suspiciously like bird poop. I did not hang them to dry). I also included a picture of my fan. We're almost as close as Douglas and I.

Overall, my first week in Australia has been a positive one. I've made some amazing new friends and have already learned so much. I have my first job interview tomorrow to help pay for my slightly nicer than a shoe-box apartment. I look forward to sharing more of my adventures with you.