This was perhaps the longest most exhausting part of my trip. Not because of the flight, but because of the bags that I had to lug through the airport, through customs, to my hotel and back to the airport. The way my flight worked out which was not all bad, I got a layover in Sydney. Being money conscious due to the fact that it seemed ever time I got on a flight they charged me $100 for and extra bag or for being overweight (my bags being over weight). I stayed in a dicey hotel in a not so great neighborhood, but hey it was the right price! $100 is literally the cheapest of the cheap hotels near Sydney airport, for those of you thinking of coming down here. The flight went without a hitch, I sat next to a huge military guy which wasn't the best, but he kept to himself watched his movies on his device and spit sparingly into an empty mountain dew bottle. He must have been nervous because he almost went through an entire tin.
The reason I looked for a flight that had an overnight connection was so I could catch up with a Sydney mate while I was there. When I arrived I collected all of my bags, no easy task, successfully made it through customs (even got the ol golf shoes cleaned), and proceeded to where the hotel transport bus was supposed to be located. It was a long wait, so I decided to get a cup of coffee, my first purchase in Australia was a flat white coffee. I ended up spilling most of it trying to balance all of my bags on the way to bus stop. It was a sad sight to see.
Not having a phone or internet, it was difficult to get in contact with my mate. I finally got connected after I checked in at the hotel. He knew when my flight was due in and had actually waited at the hotel for a bit, then drove to the airport to find me. Little bit of a mix up, can barely imagine what it would be like having to coordinate things like that without a phone or email. Anyway, we ended up driving around the city and grabbing a pizza. He had uni (college) classes tomorrow so was not going to get after it. I honestly had $40 AUD so I was ok with that, might have gotten me three beers. It was great catching up, he looked to be doing very well. Had a good job, his own place, a girlfriend, and was passing the courses he was taking at uni. Talk about having a full schedule. I wouldn't know much about that. I told him my story as well, he thought it was great what I was doing. To be honest at that point, once I got to Australia I really started to think about what I wanted to do and to be honest I was not sure. I knew I wanted to be in technology, I knew I wanted to work with people, what I did not know was what type of problems I wanted to solve. We played out a few options in our head, but nothing really stuck. What I was doing was still a gamble at that point.
He dropped me off at the hotel and I think I lasted 5 minutes once I hit the bed. Just enough time to set the alarm and pass out. I had a 430am wake up, a 5am bus and a 7am flight. Travel much? And with all the luggage that I had this was no easy task. I was wiped when I finally made it to my gate, but I made it. The last leg of my journey was in sight! I had just enough money for one more flat white, it needed to keep me awake until I got on the plan. I passed the time at the gate drinking coffee and reading the Australian. Most of the articles I read were all about politics, what I thought I was getting away from... The flight finally called for us to board, no delays which was much appreciated. This flight, I sat next to a young guy may be my age or a year or two younger. A real Aussie bloke, who unfortunately did not do well on planes and had been out drinking heavy the night before. I knew it was going to be a rough one as soon as he asked the flight attendant for more barf bags. Which he used, lets just leave it at more than once.
Mommy! I was shocked when I walked off the plane and saw my mother out there right in front of the gate! In Australia, you are still allowed to walk right up to the gate. Like it used to be in the US fifteen years ago. My mother had been waiting there for over an hour, guess she was a little excited! I was thrilled as well, both to see her and to be done traveling! I had made it to my final destination, now all I had to do was collect my bags, adjust to the time change/get over the jet lag, unpack and repack for a week down at the Margaret River. Yes, I arrived and two days later was going on yet another holiday.
The party continues...
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