Touring Around Sydney

Well, well, well... Although I have been living in Sydney for almost a year, I had not been in the Chinese Gardens. They are just in the middle of the city!




Today I woke up and got ready for going to these gardens. We met in the Gumal foyer as usual. This time we went Silvia, Koldo, Asun, Uri and I. We went walking towards Darling Harbour and arrived there. We payed our $3 dls fee and started to walk inside. We saw bonsais, many trees, cascades, pagodas and other stuff that was just inside Sydney. It was like if we had gone far from it because it looked so peaceful.




Anyway, we took many pictures. One of them was in a Hobbiton-like hole. We also saw that if you wanted to dress up as a Chinese then you could pay $10 and walk in the gardens with it. We decided not to do so and kept walking. After seeing so many ducks and fish we felt a bit hungry. Then we went to City Market shopping centre and had some Asian food and dessert (coconut ice-cream).



We followed our schedule and went to the Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour. We found many interesting things like a sailing boat made of beer cans, or a boat in which an Australian spent 6 months traveling around the world. After the tour and chat on the boat we went outside and met Dani. We went to Paddy's Market and bought more souvenirs. This was the last time I could go there, so I took the opportunity. I didn't buy that much though. Now, we are meeting in Quique's flat. However, I have to go to sleep early because tomorrow will be a special day. Early morning in the Fish Market, tour around the city, and the Christmas Eve Dinner, yes it is correct!

Dog Races!!!

Finally... exams are over!!!!!!

On Saturday I slept for a bit longer than two hours and then went early to take my last final exam. Strength of Engineering Materials is a subject you should not take while you are an international student! Take note it can be useful! Hahaha. After the 3.5 hour exam I went to Paddy's Market to buy some souvenirs of Australia. Then I met with Asun and had lunch at a Thai restaurant.




Later on I went to Gumal and found Jake, Ben, Danni, Tom and Joe having some beers because they were also celebrating exams were over. I joined them and then we played a drinking game. It was to name the names of the countries with each letter of the alphabet. Actually we were going to play the same but with names of towns in Australia, but of course I was going to lose. Anyway, later I felt very tired and went to sleep for an hour.



After resting a bit we were ready to go to the dog races! They were held in Wentworth Park (just a couple of blocks from Gumal). We went walking with other people that joined us (mostly Australians). Some people took it very seriously and dressed up as "dog racers" (Ben and Jake). We had loads of fun in there.



Main events that happened last night:
- Jake was almost kicked out of the races
- Eating "beered" chips from the floor
- Some bet and won!
- Benny's Cool dog
- Ben and the flowers



Then we went back to Gumal and later on we moved to George Street. We lost Jake in the way because he was hiding from us haha. Then we went to Ace Bar and had some drinks while Tom was arguing about Yoshi. Jake came back and then we went walking towards Scruffy Murphy's. On the way there was a man on the street singing and asked to play a song. After singing with him and Ben giving all his coins we continued walking. Once in front of the pub, I headed back home.



I was feeling a bit hungry and went to KentuckyFC. It is funny to see Sydney at night... People were throwing their chips to the staff in the fast food place. There were straws all over the floor and people were arguing and having a fight! I realised I was in the middle of a circus show hahahahaha. Believe me, it was pretty fun! Then I walked home and went to bed. Tom and Ben came to my room later that night and woke me up jumping on my bed!!!! Though in the morning I had my revenge!

22nd Bday

Hi,

Last Friday 15th was my birthday. I decided to go with my friends to celebrate it. So, we first went to some bars in the city.



On the 14th I was in my flat studying for Design Fundamentals. It is pretty bad to have a final on the same day as your birthday. I heard someone knocking on the door and opened it. There were 12 friends with a cake that had a number-two candle. It was really good! Then they came in and we ate cake talked for a bit. They left early and continued the party in Asun's flat.



In the morning I had to go to UTS because I had another exam. I arrived just-in-time for the exam and saw Tere, Diana, Lety and Ana. The exam was not that difficult, I think I did well. Then after the 3.5hrs exam I met Asun, Nina, Manu, Uri, Aarti, Sarah, Silvia, Dani, Gordon and Juergen. We went to the Thai restaurant that is on Harris Street. Some asked for noodles, others for curry, and others for different Thai specialties. The place is pretty small but the food is excellent. Later on we went to Gloria's Jeans to take some coffees and hot chocolates.



After being some time in the coffee shop we went to Paddy's Market to buy souvenirs. I did not buy anything but my friends bought jumpers, gloves and typical aussie cork hats. Then I went back to my flat to rest because I had slept 5.5hrs in the last 2 nights.



I woke up at 7ish and then got ready for going out. My friends arrived in my flat and gave me two presents. The first one was wrapped in the Riojan way. This means that it was covered by more than 20 packages. It took me around 12 minutes to unwrap it, its true! Then, since we were late we moved on and took some taxis. We went to Minus5 Ice Lounge first. We all thought that we were going to be at -5 degrees, however we were at -15!!! It was really cold inside. They provided us with gloves and coats so we were not going to freeze. After the 30 minutes experience we went to the Opera Bar. This place is really nice. The view, though it was rainy, was great. We had dinner there. Later we went to Itziar's farewell party at her place. I stayed there until 3:30am and came back home.



Thanks guys for this incredible birthday!

"Short" Break

Hi all!

It seems that I can't keep up with the blog in these last few days. The problem is that right now I am finishing my semester and therefore, final assignments and preparation for exams have shrunk my free time. I will be back soon with more pictures, more parties, and more posts!

Things that I have done lately: (this part will be updated every now and then)
- Thursday $1 dls beer!
- Saturday: Pancakes on the Rocks and Starcity Casino
- Sunday Weekly Lunch featuring Aarti (Indian) and Jazmin (Malaysian)
- Manu's Bday
- Quique's Bday
- Meeting in BSC for buying presents
- Maria (USA) goes back home

Also, when I can I will write more about my Winter trip (Southern Hemisphere).
26th June - 4th July ---> Northern Territory
4th July - 6th July ---> Cooma and Snowy Mountains
7th July ---> Live Earth Concert in Sydney, Australia
9th July - 31 July ---> Trip around Oceania (OZ, NZ, FP, KI, HI)
1st August ---> Possible arrival to Mexico (not sure is on that day)
6th August ---> Classes begin...

Good luck in your exams!