Old Sydney Town

Yesterday I caught the train down to Sydney proper. The plan was to catch up with my mate after she finished work at about 7 so I had the entire day to kill. I dragged myself and my suddenly twice as heavy backpack down to Circular Quay and ate lunch while doing a bit of people watching. Had a good stare at the Opera House and Bridge - seems the obligatory thing to do with oneself in Sydney. Watched some aboriginal blokes performing some songs and posing for photos with tourists. They'd be making a fair bit of money I reckon. I caught the ferry out to Manly, it hadn't changed much from what I remember it as a few years ago. I saw a sign near the sand that said "Due to pollution please do NOT swim for 24 hours after heavy rain". Nice. We can swim at all other times at will, but of course only at our own risk. I didn't swim. Not because I was afraid of pollution, but because it wasn't that hot, and I had nowhere to put all my stuff while I was at it. Instead I called Centrelink and registered for the dole - yes, I applied for unemployment payments while at the beach! I think I'm on the right track, unemployment is going to be a piece of piss for me.

Today I thought I might head to China Town and pretend I was back in Japan or something. But turns out that just walking down George Street can do the same job. So many internationals, I couldn't hear any English being spoken at all. There's a bloke next to me in this internet cafe looking at soft porn! BTW - internet cafes in Australia suck! Where are the free drinks? Where is the relax chair? Where is the ice cream machine? And most importantly, where is my privacy?? Anyone walking past can see my screen (as we have just seen with porn man on my left). Some things the Japs just do better.