More disjointedness

Roight. So it is now 1042am Sunday. Flight was 20 minutes late departing, so shall be utterly famished by time get to Melbourne (esp. as nothing is complimentary on VirginBlue. Nothing. Well, unless you want to count the lifevest with light and whistle under your seat.).

Anyhoo, glad decided to take taxi rather than train to airport, because, in addition to interesting conversation with Chinese driver re: politics in Australia and how unfortunate historical situation is esp. in comparison with European and US, utter chaos reigned when got to departures terminal. So there were just hundreds of people standing in vague queues of unmarked purpose everywhere and a poor VB employee (just one) running back and forth screaming for people needing to be on flights departing within the next 10 minutes – the airport will not allow them to have bullhorns: for some safety reason, no doubt, despite the horrific damage this poor girl is doing to her voice. She should make a good piano bar singer in a few years. Passengers kindly help each other to know what to do, as every wave of people entering the terminal quickly take on frantic confused look and start meandering in 3-step vacillating movements left and right.

So, upon entering the Commonwealth of Chaos, one eventually discovers that one must dodge through the queue to get to the little check-in machines to get boarding pass first and then join queue to drop bags. Very friendly employees (once you reach end of snaking poles-and-straps holding you in place) and was not even charged for overweight baggage! (Definitely glad took second large suitcase to HI-Sydney Airport last evening to leave until return next Monday, so as to only have one to manoeuvre.) Security v. simple once again in refreshing sort of way. Airport has built runway jetties out similar to Vancouver – this is interesting. Actually good leg-room for budget airline, and my knitting needles were inspected and approved as they are bamboo. Clever guy said, 'You've done your research, now, haven't you?' I simpered back that, yes, indeed I had... whatevah.

My recommendation is definitely to fly Qantas rather than VirginBlue if option presents itself, as it is only slightly more expensive (if at all).

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Yesterday’s excursions were quite successful and am proud of bravery in taking so many busses this week and not doing too badly, although did manage to get stuck in rain shower of Florida/Louisiana proportions – thought had done good thing in getting on bus from Circular Quay just as drips began, but as bus turned off sooner than anticipated, I debarked in the middle of nowhere (well, not really, just by Fox Studios and the rugby stadium), no bus shelter, walked to bus shelter going opposite direction to find it was only for school (grrr), but then figured it out by the time was soaked through, caught correct bus (back across street), and then it stopped raining. Naturally.

As had been searching for place to eat since brunch time, stopped and had lovely sidewalk sit-down ‘gourmet’ burger at place called Fellini’s, close to Potts Point. Now, some individuals with whom some of us are acquainted would be reviled at the notion of ‘gourmet’ being attached to this cunning concoction – burger with egg and beetroot (hee hee) and barbeque sauce! Coriander and such mixed into burger itself – it was sooooo good! Had nice Shiraz from SE to go with it and read newspaper about new Marilyn FBI files, which seem to be causing a gooddeal of excitement.

However, what makes me joyful (well, among many things) is yarn (wool)! But perhaps we should go in a sort of order of yesterday.

Began day by walking to Oxford Street, which is reputedly red-light district at night but with cunning shops in daytime, but saw nothing shady in the part I walked down. Lots of boutiquey places. Bought some classic Australian children’s books: Cuddlepie and Snugglepot and The Muddle-headed Wombat (this character looks rather like Paddington Bear). And made way further down to Paddington Market.

This market is on Saturdays only and caters more to local people than market in The Rocks, by Harbour Bridge. Artists, vintage clothing, boutique clothing, coffees and teas, glassmakers, organic cosmetics, incense, food, wine, fresh flowers, and even a couple of little girls – one of whom played the violin and the other who was just drawing or something, with a puppet screen behind them. V. cute. One merchant was selling Shu-shu children’s shoes – the tiniest little differently coloured shoes with designs or plain – the table sitting there with tiny leather shoes lined up was just so precious, but she rathered I not take a photo. It made me think of some fairy tale setting in my imagination (cannot think of exactly it) involving a shoemaker.

From Paddington, dropped stuff at hotel and headed toward York Street for venture into wool shop. And she was happy for quite a while! Feel was sensible in purchases and should be commended for this.

Market at The Rocks is very nice as well, but absol. rammed with tourists. Additional activity yesterday rendered by St. Patrick’s Day (or as Keith referred to St. Guinness Day) – never seen so many people in absurd amounts of green.... must put comp up for landing now. Flight was only 1 hour, although 1h30m had been set aside on my booking. Could this signify Aussie planning ahead for delays? hmmm...

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2.23pm – arrived in sunny Melbourne, settled into 8th floor room and watched half of bad Aussie surfer movie, so now think should go in search of sustenance. After figure out how to get into city… there are no trains from a’port – grrrr.

Much cooler here, so no need for me to have worried about not having overly summery clothes for trip :)