Much to my surprise I actually slept very well in my little cell at the hostel. I am also now opening the door like a pro - I don't think it has anything to do with anything I am actually doing at all. It just seems to work all of a sudden for some reason. My "roomies" came back at around 3-ish and I heard them a bit but it didn't really disturb me and I got back to sleep. I woke up again early in the morning but managed to go back to sleep again - a first for me on this trip. My little bunk bed is pretty comfortable and with all the pillows and duvets I have appropriated it seems to work.
I got up before the girls were awake so I could be assured of full use of the communal bathroom. After breakfast I took my laptop to McDonald's (Maccas) which is right next door and checked my mail. Then I went to reception and bought two bus tickets for Sydney and back. It was a lovely day and I really felt like going back to Sydney and enjoying my favourite places on such a beautiful day. I found that I was able to get around Sydney pretty well, at least the places I have been, and doing so much walking has helped me to be able to connect the places so I can find my way around. I went to Darling Harbour, past the Aquarium and Wildlife Centre to King Street and then to George Street. I wandered down to The Rocks, another place I very much enjoy. It is so rich with history and I like how they have managed to blend the old with the new. I crossed over to the wharf area and Circular Quay, which afforded me gorgeous views of the Harbour Bridge, a sight I could never grow tired of. As it was Saturday, there were loads of people everywhere, enjoying the weather and the scenery. I had some lunch outdoors and then walked around the Quay and the Opera House came into view - truly awe-inspiring and amazing. Even though I have taken so many photos of the bridge and opera house I find myself taking more because they are just so incredible. I walked around to the Botannic Gardens, where a sign welcomes you and tells you to walk on the grass. It is a lovely area that invites you to become part of it, and the views to the harbour were wonderful. I continued over to Government House to have a look and then decided I would get the bus back to Coogee from Circular Quay. That way I could return and grab more views.
I got back to Ethan's around 5 - he and some friends were on the balcony of the third floor so I came up. We went out and got some goon - really cheap wine (people of my generation, think Ripple or Thunderbird) - and had some on the front porch. Ethan and I took a walk up the main street of Coogee to check out all the restaurants. He was going to work that evening at The Palace, a large pub on the beach, but we needed to grab some dinner first. We ended up at a place right next to my hostel called Five-O - great food and good prices. Ethan went off to work and I went over later to hang out a bit. Coogee is a nice area and there are so many kids around in addition to everyone else that it is pretty safe. The Palace is huge with three floors. Some of the time Ethan works as a "glassie", bringing and clearing away glasses, but sometimes he does some bar tending. I have to admit it was an interesting experience to go to a bar alone and also to be amongst so may young people. There were a couple of themed parties going on but also many people just out for the evening. Ethan got me a Pure Blonde, his favourite beer, which I really liked, and I pretty much just sat and people-watched. Ethan has a couple of managers - one is pretty nice and one is a real jerk. I saw the jerk in action tonight and have to agree that Ethan's assessment was accurate.
I stayed at the pub until about 11:30 or so - it was about all I could take on my own. Ethan will most likely not be home before 3 and will want to sleep in tomorrow. We haven't yet decided what we will do tomorrow. I am trying not to think of the days dwindling down, especially as I know I have given myself this gift of these extra days with Ethan, and they are really precious. It is wonderful to be able to see where he lives, who his friends are, and what he does, so that I can imagine him here when I leave.
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