Sydney Stories - Week 49

Hello,

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

This week as to be expected was quite interesting. The Xmas spirit has been going on for the past few weeks and was reaching its peak this week. There were carols going on at various public spots. So far the only Christmas carol that I have been familiar with was Jingle Bells. This year I have been exposed to a new song - Rudolph  the red nosed reindeer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55j7rLp8iIY. It was played at Nandhitha's school concert and then I keep hearing that everywhere. At work the Christmas cheer was interesting. Not many people were there at work this week. On Friday the day started with champagne, berries and pan cakes. Our client's office was closed post noon. Merry Christmas!! I think one should not waste taking leave during this time. Just enjoy the good time at work.

The weather has been acting really crazy. We were lucky to have sun on Christmas day but so far 2 other days have been washed out by gloomy weather.

This was my first X'mas down under and yes had a fair bit of learning. The only shops that was probably open was the gas station and the mini marts with it. There was absolutely nothing else open. My friends and I planned on a trip to a place called Palm Beach. One of the scenic beaches of Sydney. Apparently the home of some of the rich and famous. The trip started with some adventure where I took a wrong exit on a Toll road. Ended up paying $15 ($5 each way) just to realize that the toll road didn't make much of a difference. We left home packed with a few snack tid bits assuming that there would be some wayside Maccas (Mc'donalds in Oz) or Hungry Jacks (Burger King in Oz). Merry Christmas - none of them were open. When we reached the beach it was a massive picnic spot where everybody had come absolutely prepared for a good barbie (barbeque). After scouring the beach for food the only option we had was a small snack shop. There was nothing they had that we could eat. Our lunch then comprised of different flavours of potato chips (or crisps as they called it), and cornetto ice cream. Kids had no problem with this LUNCH!! 

Spent a good amount of time in the water and in the sand. Nandha did a Krishna by taste testing the sand. Couldn't control him much beyond a point. He had a good time though exploring. Returned back home at around 5 PM. Had an early dinner at Billu's in Harris Park. After dinner went to see Man Madhan Ambu. Sooper duper movie. Incidentally this is a record of sorts. Our first movie in a movie hall down under and I suppose Nandha should mark this as his first movie in a cinema theater. The day ended well thanks to  MMA.

We were supposed to go to a place called Hunter Valley Gardens, thanks to weather and some lack of planning from our end dropped the idea. Hopefully we can catch up before the Christmas lights are taken off.

Traffic in Sydney - a big lesson here during the days after Christmas. Should never venture anywhere near a 3 km radius from a shopping mall. By mistake I thought of entering the mall to get some groceries the day after X'mas. After wasting petrol for about 20 minutes turned around empty handed. While we were driving today  we had to cross the mall area - bad idea. I think the best thing to do for Christmas is to stay put at home or travel to some remote place fully loaded and chill out.

Oki doki...1 more day to go for the holidays. Hopefully it is quiet.

Have A Great Week!!

Wishing you all A Very Happy New Year!!

Chetty