The Saga Continues

I got a text message Saturday morning from this really cool American girl i met out here:

"Hey!!! Apparently today is Mardi Gras in Sydney, we should head into town!!!"

Lot of exclamation points in her text. A lot more ringing through my head. Mardi Gras. Good times. Beeds, costumes and girls going wild...OWW OWW OWW!

I shared my excitement with my buddy Mike, who had been in town now for about 5 days, and he too got fired up for a big night ahead.

The entire afternoon was one big buildup. I spoke with a bunch of people to find out their plans for the festivities and everyone seemed to respond "not sure." Where was the enthusiasm people?!

Mike and I stumbled to our favorite breakfast place talked to some of the waitresses about the day and they weren't even sure if they were going to make it to the parade.

Their loss.

So after a day of stress filled with a few trips to the beach and an afternoon ice cream, Mike and I returned home to get ready for the wild night ahead.

We found two of our flatmates sitting in the living room, said hello, shot the shit but remained focus.

"What you up tonight," asked Rajani, the 42 year old laid back Aussie.

"Mardi Gras," I responded without hesitation

And we were met with a chorus of laughter from Rajani and Andrew, the third flatmate, and shockingly, a really nice laid back guy. .

"Why you laughing," I asked somewhat awkwardly.


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So it turns out Mardi Gras in Sydney a'int like Mardi Gras where we come from.

Imagine the gay pride parade in New York only for an entire country and then all of Asia. Gays flock to Sydney like it were the Super Bowl to revel in the bright festivities.

I'm pretty sure it would have been funnier if we didn't get the tip.

Our plans took a big 180. I called up Big Mike, my 6'10 semi pro basketball/carpenter buddy and his girl friend Kerry and we met them for the final game of the Conference finals for the Sydney Kings. I had previously rejected the invite assuming I would be out partying. Both Mike and Kerry laughed when we shared our story. The drive to the game took us thru the center of the city. Lets just say it sure was something. Big win for the Kings.

And the post game pep rally was equally great. The coach thanked the fans, raised his glass and spoke like Jon Gruden. Is there anything better than coaching cliches?

So that was a good one.

Much like pretty much everything out here. Really fell in love with Sydney since Ive been here. When my buddy Mike came out here to stay for my final couple of weeks I was pretty curious to see what it would be like to go from rolling solo to having a good friend on board for the journey.

Yeah, there have been some moments where we ran out of things to say each other, but all in all, having him on board has been awesome. It makes grabbing that afternoon drink a little easier when you have someone who is down for whatever.

Mike has helped me to discover what may be my favorite bar in the world, my favorite breakfast place in the world (tied with Mama's in SF) and maybe my favorite restaurant.

Bunga Bar is this bar right down my street that is designed like a tiki bar. So pleasant and peaceful.

Les Paris a Go Go is the breakfast spot. Normally I don't think much of the French. Of all the travellers I have met on the journey, the french have been the least friendly. I once compared their language to "verbal diarhea." But this place is incredible. You sit on couches overlooking the main street and just eat these incredible meals served to you by beautiful waitresses. You might put this place up there with Thierry Henry on the short list of great things to come out of France.

Nothing over $10 is what it sounds. A restaurant where nothing on the menu costs more than $10. And to clarify, EVERYTHING is Australia costs more than $10. Australia is insanely expensive with a weak US Dollar. You'd think with a cheap menu that the food would be sub-par but that is SO not the case. Everything is incredible. Steak, fish, Risotto. Its like a gourmet restaurant at deli prices. Now I don't claim to be much of a foodie, but this place is totally legit.


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As some of you endure the dreads of the east coast winter I hate to be that guy that tells you about how great everything is over here. So if you want to stop reading, Now is the time.

My routine is a relaxation dream.

Banana bread and a couple of apples for breakfast
Beach
Shower
Email
Lunch
Simpsons/Friends Reruns
Jog/lift
Beach
Shower
Dinner
Go drinking or get good night sleep

Its going to be sad to see her go.



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The other day Mike and I went to the zoo. It was sweet. You go on a ferry around the harbor and get perfect views of the skyline and all of Sydney's landmarks: The Opera House, The Bridge, The Space Needle (Or so I call it)

The boat ride was worth the price of admission on its own.

But then there was the zoo.

I'm not one of those guys thats too cool for the zoo. I fucking love the zoo. I love animals. You might say I go bananas for monkeys. Which is why I jumped in giddieness when the gondola up to the zoo flew over three gigantic elephants.

This was my shot at redemption.

When I was 3 years old my mother took me to Lincoln Center where there was an elephant on display. I was a pretty cute little guy and was picked out of a crowd to pet the elephant in front of what seemed like 100's of photographers. And then the moment came. My mom picked me up to pet his long elephant nose (or whatever they call it). Cameras flashing. This was my chance to be discovered and become the next Cory. Only I froze. I covered my eyes and started crying. The picture was put in the New York Times.

So this was my chance to make nice with the elephants. And many more.

The Koala bears, kangaroos, tigers and lions were cool.

When I saw my monkeys I was literally as happy as I ever been. They were gorillas, technically, but close enough. I just love those guys.

And then we walked down to the elephant barn. The keeper asked me if I wanted to pet the elephant. Here I was 20 some years later with another shot to pet old Stampy. And I took it.

What a day, what a town.

Everything seems to be working out. I'm pretty musically retarded yet 2 of the 3 songs from the the "name that tune" segment of trivia night at the bar were songs by Coldplay and the Killers. We ended up winning 1st place by 2 points.

- Took a dip in the Icebergs pool. They featured it in the times. Its right on the end of the beach with ocean waves often flowing in. Pretty awesome.

- Made a bet with Mike at 1000:1 that I wouldn't marry an asian girl. Easiest $10 bucks I've ever made. This and my bet that I will "bed" Natalie Portman by the age of 35 remain open to the public (Don't worry Grandma, she's jewish).

- Laughed for a decent amount of time at the idea of talking about the election with people in Japan. You know how they pronounce "L" as "R."

-Destroyed this shit talking British girl in a beer chugging contest. I thought I had grown past these days but this girl would not shut up. I knew I had to defend myself when she called me a "Wanker."

"I am no fucking wanker," I responded proudly.

So there it was me and her, a decent crowd around.

What, you think I'd lose to the British. 1 if by Land, 2 if by Sea, 3 if Baerga and how bout 4...get about it.

I flexed like Bo Jackson after the victory was sealed. She bought a round for me and my buddies.

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So yeah, thats where we are. I'm now in an internet cafe at this little stop over beach town called Hervey Bay before I head out to Fraser Island in the morning (Biggest white sand beach in the world).

Then its a 2day-2night sailing trip before we head back to Sydney for one final night in town. Wednesday nights at Beach Road will be missed.

Thursday (next) we have a full day ahead. One last chance to go thru my routine. Plus I have my Bottom half payroll fantasy league draft and a free massage at the Icebergs courtesy of a bet I made with Michael. (He traded the massage for not having to Bic his head)

Then its off to Japan on March 13th for 13 days with all my buddies from the UCD basketball team of 2002 capped off with baseball opening day- Red Sox vs. A's in Tokyo.

Then its back to SF for about a week, LA for about a week and home, just in time to once again catch the energy of Mets baseball and find a job for the Summer.

Life's not bad. Hope you guys are all doing well back home. If anyone wants to join up in Japan, say the word. There will be Sumo Wrestling.

There Will not Be Blood, though- thank god- perhaps the worst movie I have seen since my mother convinced my father to take me to see Strictly Ballroom back in 1990 at that foreign film theater on 66th street.

Vaya,
Jon