A day in my adventure shoes...

Today was a crazy day!  It began at 4am.  I heard from Callie last night that she would be on skype between 10am-12pm her time (3am-5am my time).  It had been forever since we’d really talked.  We’ve been emailing, but with the different time zones and our busy schedules, we hadn’t connected much.  It was SO good to see her!  It started my day off right, even though it was really early!  I got ready for the day and headed out at 5:15am.  I caught the train downtown and made my way to the Sydney Opera House for a backstage tour beginning at 6:45am.  This tour was four older British couples and myself... It was funJ.  Our tour guide’s name was Ann and she was an older lady, but SO sweet.  She kept saying things like, “oh that’s lovely” and “excellent!” (imagine it in the accent – it’s cuterJ).  This tour was amazing!  We started at the stage door and worked our way through the many theaters of the building (there’s seven I think) and all the behind the scenes props and equipment.  I saw the concert hall, the opera theater, a few other smaller theaters, the symphony conductor’s dressing room, the orchestra pit, backstage of the opera theater, the rehearsal room and many other interesting places.  When we all met downstairs at the beginning of the tour, Ann had us introduce ourselves and get to know the group a bit.  She asked individually as we were arriving if we performed.  I told her I sang for my choir and as a hobby.  She said, “oh lovely, well you can sing for us on the stage then.  Start practicing your scales.”  I laughed.  But then she kept saying that throughout the tour.  And when we walked onto the concert hall stage, she asked me to sing.  Like actually sing… for the group… on the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage!!  It was insane.  Such a cool experience!  I sang just a short piece of a song I had stuck in my head and appreciated the acoustics of the room and the fact that I was there at all.  It was really awesome.  Also, when we were in the conductor’s dressing room, there was a Steinway piano (the best of the best) and she asked if anyone played.  I said, “yes” and she asked me to play that too!  And then we went to the Opera Theater and I was able to sing on that stage as well.  All in all, it was like a dream come true.  I couldn’t believe I had been given that opportunity.  There was no audience, no excitement except my own, but it felt so good.  I was just telling Holli that I am having major music withdrawals.  I was saying how much I needed to find a piano and just sing… crazy how timing worksJ.  It didn’t quite satisfy my craving, but it was incredible all the same.  After the tour, we were fed breakfast in the green room of the Opera House.  It was delicious!  I had wheat-bix, fruit, and raisin toast.  Wheat-bix is a kind of cereal here.  The pieces remind me of a nature valley granola bar and it tastes similar.  I pour milk over it and it kind of soaks up the milk and becomes like oatmeal.  I really like it.  While we were eating, Ann asked if “the only American” (me) had ever tried vegemite.  I laughed and replied, “no”.  It was funny because I had every intention of trying it today, and she provided me the perfect opportunity.  She handed me a small packet and I spread a little on a corner of my toast.  It ruined a perfectly good corner.  I did NOT like it.  It was super salty and super gross.  But… I tried it and that is all part of the experienceJ.  After I left the tour, it was only 9am, so I wandered around the Royal Botanical Gardens right next door to the Opera House.  They were beautiful and as it was pretty morning, it was the perfect stroll.  I walked back to Circular Quay after awhile and got on a ferry to Manly Beach.  This beach was really nice.  There were tons of kids learning to surf, some middle school or high school girls having beach volleyball practice, and tons of SUPER tan people.  There was a nice walking path around the coast that I did part of.  After a while there I decided to just lay out my towel and lay down.  It was REALLY nice.  I have been going strong since I arrived here on Friday, trying to see and do as much as possible in my short week.  It was great to lie down and just soak up some sun.  I think I soaked up a little too muchL, but it’ll be tan fast.   After I decided that I should probably get out of the sun, I wandered around Manly for a little while and then took the ferry back to Circular Quay and took the train back to campus.  I am officially showered (I was still sandyJ), and am about to go eat dinner in the dining hall.  Holli and I are playing cards tonight and catching up on our days – she had orientation today.  I can’t believe tomorrow is my last day in Sydney!  It has gone SO fast, but has been an incredible adventure.  I am getting really excited to go to Melbourne and get settled.  I can’t wait to start meeting friends and exploring a new city (at a much leisurely paceJ).  Sending Australian sunshine your wayJ.