Putting the YUM in Yum Cha

Had a great weekend, checked out the Glebe Markets, a popular market in Sydney that runs every Saturday just a few blocks from my house. Tons of unique jewerly, vintage/trendy clothes, purses... basically my personal heaven!

Sunday's highlight was eating! Headed to Chinatown (15-20 mins walk away) for brunch and enjoyed yum cha (what they call dim sum here). Soooo good, nothing like shrimp and pork wrapped in membrane (that one's for you Jim!) New fave dessert is sweet tapioca pudding. Yum!

Today looks like another beautiful sunny day in Sydney though the weather is still a little bit cool (15-20C). Have always loved how the weather forecast here is described as "fine" (translation: mostly sunny). Apparently it will be fine all week...

I love terraced houses!

Explored my new neighbourhood today... Glebe is an eclectic and alternative 'hood. Tons of restaurants (vietnamese, greek, thai...), cafes and alternative shops (think crystals, incense, naturopathy). Favourite part of the area are all the cool terraced houses (original homes in Sydney). Some are run down, others beautifully restored, all totally unique. Also check out the weird exterior home ornaments (dwarves? rubber duckies??) So Glebe is a little wacky...

cool flowers

Home sweet home

Landed safely in Sydney after a relatively uneventful 13.5hr flight from LA (yes that's bloody long, yes I was bored, yes you watch a lot of movies, yes I slept). Was worried the security coming into the airport would be out of control (Sydney declared the day a holiday due to APEC - Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation - meeting of the global leaders incl. Bush and Harper and advised everyone to avoid the airports, the roads..). But the airport was strangely quiet, got through customs in record time, didn't get strip-searched and no traffic! APEC should happen every day!

Arrived at my new "flat" in Glebe (right beside the Broadway Shopping Centre and 10-15 mins away from the CBD - Central Business District or downtown) and admired the high ceilings, wood floors, large balcony and a bedroom with a door! (little things excite me) The view from the balcony is very cool - looking over rooftops and seeing the lovely cityscape in the distance (pics below). Ah Sydney!

Dinner was in Chinatown with some of my fave seafood - pippies (small clams) and scallops... delish! Perfect end to my first day back in the city...

(rooftop patio down the hall)

Welcome to Glo in Sydney!

Well this is my very first foray into blogging so here goes! Having been inspired by my good friend Synne's blog (all the way from Madagascar) I decided to give my own a shot for you to read whenever you feel like a dose of my Aussie life! Plus it's a good place to post pics with commentary as I am still not ready to embrace all that is facebook (sorry Nikki!) We'll see how long this blog lasts (oh the life of an unemployed). Enjoy!