Even before we landed in Sydney, the kids started saying we
should move there. “Why?” I asked picking the carryon baggage from the overhead
bin.
“Because it’s like Seattle, and they talk a lot with me.” DS
said.
“And they have a similar social justice system like the US”
said DD, my diversity advocate.
“OK, lets just get a cab and go meet papa.”
“Can you check where we get taxis?” I asked DS, as soon as we
left the arrivals gate.
He ran behind an airport employee and I lost sight of him
for a bit. DD and I were busy trying to maneuver the luggage to the pick up
spot.
Soon DS came running pointing at the opposite direction.
“Mamma, I think that guy has lost some teeth.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked. “Did you see in his mouth?”
“No, but he said ‘Aiver they’, when I asked him where the taxis were. Just like air come out when i talk through my lost teeth, i think air os coming out for him too.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“I think it means ‘over there’" he said. “Because he
pointed in that direction.”
“Naar” DD said.
“What?”
“That’s another word in the Australian accent.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“No” she smiled. “See, we should move here. It’s so fun.”
And that’s how our trip to Sydney began.
The next day was already too late, coz DS wanted to be at
the beach everyday, every hour, and DD wanted to shop till she dropped.
So Manly beach separated the ladies from the gentlemen. DS
had his first brush with body boarding and DD had her first brush with not finding
anything her size.
“Why is everyone so gigantic?” she asked.
“You’re tiny” I smiled.
“Maybe I’ll get a scarf.”
“Oh yeah, that’ll be your perfect size.”
Clearly the shopping wasn’t really what she anticipated, so we settled for a mani-pedi, and lets just say, her pink nails are not really hers.
With all the body boarding, came the sun-burn. Not for the
kid, the dad. So finally somebody agreed that Mom was right in advising to wear
sunblock.
But with all things said, Sydney was an amazing place to visit.
The Blue Mountains were breath taking, the Sydney Opera house checked off my bucket
list, and the beach mania is something that’s not leaving this household
anytime soon.
“Mamma, why do we have to be home?” DS complains everyday. “The
fun isn’t here, it’s Aiver they.”
