And So It Begins!

Friday, February 22

Well hello everyone! 

Thought it was about time I let everyone know what I've done so far.  The final leg of my journey was a 14 hour flight from San Francisco. My plane left at 10:35pm, which was 1:35am, home time, so I slept for the majority of the flight. I had an aisle seat, but the seat next to me was empty. Because of the empty seat next to me, I was a lot more comfortable than many people, but still slept pretty fitfully. So when I had left San Francisco, I had emailed the Homestay Agency my flight information, and had heard that they had called my house to find out what time the driver needed to pick me up from the airport, so I was pretty sure that there would be someone to pick me up at the airport, but I didn't know who I would be staying with.  My flight got in right on time, and I didn't have to wait long for my luggage to come on the carousel. (By the way, 100lbs, a carry on, and a purse are not nearly enough space to bring stuff for 5, almost 6 months! But $470 is too much for an extra few pounds) I got through customs with no problem, but got into a discussion with the customs agent about the wifi in Sydney, because I couldn't connect to the airport wifi, so I still had no idea where I'd be staying.  He was not very encouraging about the wifi in general in Sydney, but I've not had any issues at the house I'm currently at.  So after I got through customs I was able to find the driver waiting for me with no problem.  The driver gave me information about my hosts. I found out that I'd have a temporary host family until Sunday, when i'd switch to the family that I'll be with for the rest of the time.   The driver told me that we would be waiting for another student who was coming in 40 minutes later than my flight had arrived, but he was going to be staying with my temporary hosts for all of his stay. He came in on his flight from China, and we headed to the host home.

The  trip took about 30 minutes, and we only drove along the outskirts of Sydney, but it reminded me of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Very closely built, with buildings being taller rather than wider.  Also, advertisements were everywhere, in many languages. 

I arrived at my interim host( for tonight and tomorrow) around 10:45am. My interim hosts are a nice couple with an adorable 2 year old named Liam.

I was able to get Internet access from them, so I was able to update Facebook (highly important, obviously) and send a few emails. We then had lunch, a ham and cheese sandwich- no Vegemite or kangaroo yet! I then took a nap, and the the mother, myself and the other student went out. The student had to go to his university, about a 7 minute drive from their home, and I went to a shopping center across the road from the university, with the mother.  I was able to get a converter, so I can now charge my phone, iPad and laptop.  We also went into one of the two more popular supermarkets, Woolsworth's.  Most things  seem to be a bit more expensive ( a dozen eggs for $2.99) but a few items seem comparable in price (a bag of bakery rolls for $2.00).  Before coming home we stopped at the other popular supermarket, Cole's,  so that the other student could purchase a SIM card for his phone.  Our last stop was a Dr's office where the mother had to pick up a prescription. I was again reminded of Dominican Republic and El Salvador, as the Dr's office was in a sort of multi-story outdoor mall, with other shops, businesses, and offices.  We came home, and I wrote this! 

A fun fact: Gold Rush season 3 just began here, and the father is a fan. It's on in the background as I write! 

Plans for later are dinner (spaghetti), a shower, and bed! I'm not necessarily looking forward to them in that order!  ; ) 

Until Later, 

Kaitlyn