Another slow morning, although today was spent with my relatives here, so we did enjoy ourselves. About 1 or so, Sydney stayed behind while I decided to hit Paddy's Market and bring home some souvenirs for Kristen. Paddy's Market is a fairly large market that pretty much sells everything. Trinkets to clothing to food to, well you name it. The problem with a place like this is that I need to visit the entire place before I can actually make any purchases. You know, there could be a better deal around the corner! And once I've decided a specific vendor has the right item, then I have to find them all over again! I had given myself an hour here and then I was going to try to head up to the Paddington Market for their last hour. But, I soon realized that I was either going to drive myself insane or relax and just enjoy Paddy's Market and that's what I did. Got some Aborigine art t-shirts, some little things that we can use for grab bag & teacher gifts and even got a small didgiredoo for Sydney. If she really decides to learn how to play it, this could've been a big mistake! I did break down and buy a nice, Australian hat, so if you see me wearing it, make sure to tell me how good I look in it!
So, that was my last day in Sydney. Heading to my Aunt & Uncle's for dinner there, then packing and relaxing for tomorrow's trip. The Sharks, their rugby, team lost last night, so they'll be needing some cheering up. And there's nothing light the storytelling of a 7 year old to make that happen!
Tomorrow, we'll head to the airport and begin our journey home and back to our usual routine Monday morning. It's been a great trip, althought we could've spent a few more weeks here.
Tonight we're watching a semi-final rugby match between Manly and the Warriors and holy smokers what a strange and really rough game this is. All my relatives were very upset that the Sharks lost 28 nil to Melborne yesterday and we watched some of the games last weekend as well. Trying to figure out what's more confusing to me, this or cricket. But given the popularity of things like mixed martial arts in the States, I don't know why rugby isn't played in our country. Big guys, no protective gear and the game moves really fast. Nick Truelson, the product manager of the Essendon Football Club invited me out to Melbourne to see a game the next time I'm in town and maybe he can help me better understand how it plays. But right now, Manly's up, so it's been a great game to watch. Very surprised to see how they do sponsor logos on these games. For example, there's no last names on their uniforms, just sponsor names. Not sure that'd ever work in the States. And they never stop the game! Someone gets hurt and they just play around him. and they hit hard. I've been feeling the hits just watching the game!
Since this is my last real post from Sydney, I'd like to once again like to thank:
Maybe I'll get lucky and be invited back to speak at Experiential Summit '09 and we'll visit again. Or thanks to an off the cuff invite from George Shinas, that he'll either forget or regret, I might be spending my 50th the Shinas Estate, drinking good wine, having a barbie on the billabong and thinking once again, what a great country Australia is.
Sent wirelessly from Nokia 9500 & T-Mobile
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