Catching up with Sydney

Sydney, I missed you.

Although it has only been 10 months since we last departed, stepping back into your hold has filled the loss of our separation.

You share yourself with many Sydney, but I’d like you to know what you mean to me.

Sydney,

You are my home, my family, my friends.

You have your own line on my birth certificate, my passport and even my foreign drivers licence.

You have shown me your beauty but also your temper, your vulnerability and your torment.

You’ve been there through my schoolyard games, my first love, my dramatic graduation.

You ignite my youth, my dreams and my passions.

But most of all we have forgiven each other’s temperaments – your crazy weather, my crazy ideas.

I knew I was “home” on Saturday, having woken up to your chirpy minor birds and magpies in the nearby gumtree.

Since arriving you have graced me with your beautiful summer weather; your sunny, hot, sticky days – the cicadas in the trees crying out for some respite. However, the dangerous burns you left on my shoulders from Sunday morning in the sun gave me a friendly nasty reminder me that I should always apply sunscreen.

I’ve also been reminded of your crawly creatures – with a few squealing tip-toe encounters around cockroaches and spiders.

I didn’t miss a chance to indulge in one of the things you do best – coffee.

While I see your passion Sydney, sometimes it is a little unnecessary. The line of 40 people waiting for “Australia’s best gelato” on a Monday night revealed your ability to become a little trend-obsessed. Come on, we know you’re better than that.

On Monday I was blessed to enjoy your diversity as I completed one of your best walks – the coastal walk from the Spit bridge to Manly. You didn’t mind that I was dressed like a dag  as I toured along sandy banks, climbed stairs under the barky gum trees, passed-by hidden beaches, met lizards on bush tracks and was blessed with your natural flora and the sounds of the Kookaburra. And although you were a little overcast at first, it was just as beautiful as I had remembered.

A perfect setting for a Sunday wedding. Love.

My sunburnt shoulders are still aching but that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying your coast. I was able to duck under the shade as I took in the beauty of Balmoral, breathtaking. I topped this off with some seafood at The Boathouse – what a treat.

Sydney, you have reunited me with my closest friends and family, something I am truly grateful for. Despite the thousands of kilometres separating us,  we picked up conversation where we last let it off – distance never gets in the way.

There is only one little thing you could do for me – pick up the christmas spirit a little. Having left the Glühwein scented, festive atmosphere of München last week I am lacking a little of that extra Christmas kick here. With 12 days to go I know you’ve got it in you.

Many may say you are boring, you have nothing to offer, you are too pretentious  but don’t listen to them. If they have the courage to leave you, they will see how much you mean to them.

Now, I’m going on a little break to make friends with your west-and central -coast Australian cousins- but I’ll be back just in time for Christmas.

See you soon Sydney,

Alex

P.S This was the beautiful Isar in München I recently left behind. A late golden autumn sky on a crisp day of -5 degrees.