It's kind of like home...

The city of Sydney is extremely diverse. There are people from all parts of the world. However, it's not just an influx of people from various parts of the world--Australians themselves are diverse. It still surprises me a bit every time I hear a bunch of Asians talking with Aussie accents. Speaking of, there is a very large Asian influence in Australia. As bad as this is going to sound, Asians in Australia are the equivalent of Mexicans in the US, in both the positive and negative ways.
I’ve noticed that Australians are very environmentally conscious. Recycling and going green isn’t a trend here—it is a way of life. There are recycle bins nearly everywhere, and when there are not, you can usually notice a sign on the garbage bin that states that the garbage company sorts through the “rubbish.” Many buses have panels stating that they are reducing carbon emissions, etc. Even people I have met from various European countries take our environment seriously, and something such as flicking a cigarette butt into the street is heartbreaking to them.
All and all, I find Sydneysiders to be genuinely nice people, interested in making sure everyone is having a good time. However, Jon tells me that Aussies from other cities will agree that Sydney is the rudest city. If I think they’re nice here, I cannot even imagine how they are every where else!

I am still new to the area and have only met a handful of Aussies, but the stereotypes I had of the people here are being emphasized in some senses, completely reevaluated in others. Aside from the lingo and the tan, there are some subtle things that really enhance the Aussie lifestyle. For example, Aussies drive on the left side of the road so naturally, they walk on the left side of the pathways. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but you notice it everywhere you go! The music in clubs is usually techno and the style of dance is a bit different--people just jump around. And I've definitely noticed that men, regardless of their sexual preference, will wear short shorts. There is so much more, but I couldn’t possibly list them all! I will update as it comes to me, though!

The transportation system in Sydney is nice, but it's no Chicago. The trains and buses are very nice. They all seem fairly new, or at least VERY well kept. The trains are actually double decker, which is very interesting to me. I will ride on the upper level before I leave. The buses are fairly cozy, but don't sit in the back or you'll get a headache. The ferry is pretty basic and has a nice indoor seating area, as well as a bar for beverages/snacks. There is outdoor seating as well, but it fills up fast. When the gates open people just pile in. I have yet to experience the monorail or a cab, but I'm sure the day will happen. The system has its fair share of downfalls, though. Most trains run every half hour opposed to every few minutes. Buses seem a bit more frequent, but they are not quite as fast. The city works in zones, so the closer you are to your destination, the cheaper your ticket will be. Also, there are student concession stickers, but study abroad students are not viewed as Australian students by the city, so we will be lucky if we can get one. My hopes are high, though. This would make tickets half priced. My biggest pet peeve about the system though is that while on the train, there is no message declaring which stop you are approaching. It is a pain in the bum to try to read the station signs as you approach.

Shopping is chaos. People are crazy when they’re going down the aisles! They will try to pass you when there is oncoming trolley (shopping cart) traffic, even if you’re walking! And lines…don’t get me started! It seems to be commonplace to have only 1 or 2 employees at the register, even during busy hours. I waited for 15 mins to pay for 3 items, and this happens frequently!

Along with shopping is cost: Things here are pricy! Wine, clothes, and fruit are the cheapest items for purchase--everything else is easily double, if not triple the cost it would be at home. For Aussies, it all balances out. Their minimum wages are double what ours are.

The food is very similar to what we find at home in the sense that there is Asian, Italian, and Mexican foods, etc. BBQs are different. Replace burgers, brats, and hotdogs with sausages and you’ve got it! And typically the sausage is just wrapped in bread, no fancy buns. Food for purchase in the store is quite similar to home, only in smaller portions with different names. Most food does not have preservatives here, which is a blessing and a curse. It tastes better, in my opinion. Candies, or confectioneries as they are called, are very sweet, courtesy of real sugar. Soda is also made with sugar, so think pepsi throw back, only it's coke! Even fast food places, such as McDonalds (Maccas) taste different…and are probably healthier. However, food spoils a wee bit quicker, and considering I find such things rather pricey compared to the states, this is a major negative. Looks like I'll be freezing my bread! Also, portions are significantly smaller than compared to the US. My body is still adjusting to the lesser food intake and the more active lifestyle.

I think that’s all I’ve got for now, so as the Aussies would say, cheers mate!