6 Week Gap Year

19th November (Sunday)
Nip out to Sydney Opera House do tour walk around see harbour bridge , walk round circular quay , see 2 guys playing didgeridoos but with modern dance sound track behind so bought cd $10. Going to update this later with more detail re SOH. We have small lunch (not) in CQ opposite Circular quay station and head back to hotel. Say farewell and au revoir to Jon and make him promise to visit UK in 2008. Had a great time seeing him again and he has been brilliant at showing me around Melbourne and making me feel generally at home. But now feel mentally and physically exhausted as have not really stopped for 2 weeks solid. Constant learning and seeing new stuff, being enthused by meeting new people and new experiences and then staying up late last night, Jon’s snoring (he probably says same about me!) having far too much to drink, but the first time since been away and catching up on so much, hardly surprising. Will just rest my eyes for 10 mins. Yikes ! It’s 2 hours since I began resting my eyes. Am finding Sydney a little disappointing so far but probably need to explore a little more.
Have decided to go out even though I don’t want to and find internet café. One down the road in Darlinghurst Road allows you to use your own laptop for $2 per hour. Well that’s what I think it means as the Chinese girl behind the desk just keeps saying “Ok”, “yes laptop” and “these is price” as she points to a menu. Will come back with laptop and check tomorrow. Had half hour for $1 and checked my e-mail and wrote to Becky and Lu. Carried on walking down Darlinghurst Rd Kings X but the “dodgy” area seems to end very quickly and doesn’t seem to spill out much into neighbouring roads and avenues. Come across some nice looking restaurants especially a German one called Maggies so will maybe eat there one night. Fancy a curry tonight as it’s months since I last ate one. It’s next door to hotel (DeVere Hotel, Macleay St, Potts Point) and called India Down Under. Sat me down at table next to elderly gent who was protesting about waiting too long. As he was talking his meal arrived so seemed happy. I ordered a gin and tonic and waited. And waited. Young waiter returned. “Your Gordons sir” It wasn’t in his hands. “Did you want tonic water?” Hmmmm, not good sign. When he returned I had to ask for the food menu! Waited 10 minutes for my order to be taken. Then waited 25 minutes for food to arrive. In this time 2 women had walked out, who were in there when I arrived and obviously hadn’t been served and a guy who had ordered a takeaway left without it. But, when the food came it was delicious. I had saffron rice, prawn do patio, prawns with chopped spring onion, chilli, tomato and a blend of spices. It was light, slightly sweet, not hot but with a hint of spiciness and fragrant. Really tasteful. When paying I found out 2 staff had not turned up to work and one lad, of the 3 staff working, was brand new.