Paul Georges . Alterego Construction

I’ve got so much to say and so little time to do so! That’s when bullet lists come in handy! Here goes (I’ll develop on these things when I get the time):

• Everything is more expensive here when compared to Québec but not necessarily by a lot. Rent and transport are terrifyingly expensive. Food is almost on par. But pies are cheap here. So is Thai food: you can find deliciously cheap Thai food all over the place.
• The Newtown district of Sydney is the most amazing I’ve been in a long time. Photos to come.
• Sydney’s Victorian-style old terraces are beautiful. Imagine small roads lined with them, covered by leafy palm trees and other vegetation. They are the kind of houses that you would want to sneak around as a little bird and spy on the folks living there and check out how they live and what kind of artwork the like and hang on their walls.
• There is so much amazing Aussie music to discover. I should have bought tickets to HomeBake. I’m getting to know all kinds of amazing new bands and shows. I’ve already booked one venue. Can’t wait. If you’re curious, check out “Angus and Julia Stone”, “Josh Pyke”, “Pnau”. All different styles ranging from folk to electro.
• It’s always sunny here but it gets cold at night and in the morning in Winter (which is the present season). Temperatures during the day are wonderful at the moment… can be compared to early Summer back home. Jeans/t-shirt kind of weather.
• Sydney kids dress well… see really well. I’m living in the University district at the moment so there are lots of young people around. But everywhere I’ve gone yet I see guys and girls alike, dressed from head to toe in trendy threads. Very cool stuff.
• The city is uber gay. This being said, I haven’t even been to the gay part of town yet (although Newtown is well known for hosting the lesbian crowd and tends to attract Sydney’s eclectic crew).
• People here are quite green-driven which is really nice to see. Got to go to the “Live Green” festival taking place in Victoria Park (which has a rockin’ outdoor pool like at Parc Jean-Drapeau) near Sydney University. For those interested in sustainable development (développement durable) go check out Sydney’s promise for 2030: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/2030/. Enjoy.
• There are a couple of Universities in Sydney. The only I’ve been around is University of Sydney and it is wonderfully arranged. Modern yet classic. Alouette.
• The only thing really more expensive here compared to Québec is accommodation. Everything else is on par. People lie.
• Café culture is a reality here; finally… I get to live in a city!
• Art galleries and expositions! Tonnes and tonnes!

All this being said… I’ve hardly seen anything of the city yet. I’ve pretty much been around the Inner West district which is the one that interested me the most. I’ve still got Central Sydney and the touristic places (think The Rocks, think Opera House, think Harbour Bridge) to visit, not to mention the beaches!

There’s lots of stuff to be seen and thankfully, I’ve learned a lot from last time abroad. Time is precious… you never have enough time to see everything. So I’ve promised to get my shit together and organize my time and plan in advance (I know you’re all saying I’ll never make it but I will (Djou, je tuerais pour voir ta face de pet en train lire ça)). There are lots of cities around that I wanna get acquainted with, lots of national parks that I want to go trekking at, lots of gigs to catch, lots of restaurants to experience, etc. etc.

All this being said, I miss you guys a lot and wish you were around to live this with me and also to have a bit of support when I’m not feeling a+ health-wise. Speaking of health… rest assured, what I’ve come down with is more than likely not related to my previous Myocarditis. However, I still don’t know what it is. I’m totally functional and can get everything done normally, but these pains are still lingering but are more annoying and worrying than they are painful. So yeah… I miss you guys. Hopefully I’ll get to see you guys around here in the coming year… I don’t expect anyone to come, but if you ever do, I promise you will have a great time.

It’s 6 in the morning. Still jetlagged a bit hehe. It’s almost a good thing if it gets me used to a routine of early-waking! That would be awesome.

Sur ce, wishing you guys the best from here in Sydney. Much love. Looking forward to hearing from you guys and gals, no matter what the medium. I’m on Skype and MSN all the time, being the Internet whore I am. Otherwise, for those interested, my new Aussie mobile number is +61 0402095602. Be good!