Whoa, Sydney

My goodness gracious. Sydney is a very beautiful city. People told me that it was nice, but that Melbourne is better. Hot damn, I can't wait to see Melbourne.

Since I have to put everything in terms of things that I know, I would venture to describe Sydney as a cleaner, warmer San Francisco/Los Angeles with all the super rad sensibilities of Osaka. My little New Zealand-accustomed mind is reeling at the crazy height of buildings and my California-wired perceptions are confused by the strange sounds of the birdlife soaring through the streets. I watched a chess game become overrun with knee-height, white birds with this talon-beak that didn't scare anyone else but me. I really don't like birds.

Tomorrow, I'm heading out to the beaches, and I really want to take a picture of the entrance to the funzone on the other side of the harbor. I think it's a female face with crooked teeth and excessively long eyelashes. You gotta walk through the teeth for the fun to begin.

As a single traveller with a clear lack of itinerary, I managed to attract families from around the world seeking a photographer in front of the Opera House. I think I got some really nice shots for everyone. By the end of the afternoon, I was able to suggest different compositions to some of these families. Yep, making friends. My favorite family of the day: just in from Taiwan, the father was tired, the mother was enthusiastic and the daughter could give a shit about the Opera House. They had me take five pictures, each one directed by dad. "Yeah, something pretty. Make it nice. You're professional. One more. With the water. Okay, everyone move. Now smile. Done. Another. Another. Over here. Try again. You want your picture taken?" I declined. The daughter became more and more embarrassed. Finally, she just stopped looking at me and the camera. Aren't family times the best?