Touching down in Sydney after spending three weeks in Thailand was like waking up from a dream. All of a sudden people were dressed in jeans and closed toed shoes, hair and makeup done, and...wait...the toilets flush?! I felt completely out of place, overly tanned, and ridiculously dressed in my elephant pants.

Good thing for good friends. My friend, who moved to Sydney just a month prior to my arrival, had no troubles spotting me in the crowd. He took me back to his place, let me shower, helped me with my laundry (TMI side note: I hadn't used a washing machine for about a month!), and fed me. Thank you Byron :)

Fast forward a few days - and a few new clothing purchases - and I looked like I fit in a bit more. By that time I had another tour lined up, similar to the Gap360 one I participated in Thailand. UltimateOZ was to take care of me, along with about 20 other travellers, for one week. It was a busy, fun-filled week including sand boarding, dolphin watching, a walking tour of Sydney, a trip to Bondi Beach, and much more. 

After my introductory week in Sydney I was left on my own - jobless, homeless, and still living out of my backpack.

Thank goodness for moms. My mom flew out from the United States with my pre-packed suitcase full of extra clothes and toiletries and put us up at a hotel near downtown while I looked for a place to live. Thank you mom!

Only a few days after my mom's arrival I scored a studio right in Paddington, a ten minute walk from downtown and an overflow of quaint, cute, delicious cafes just a few strides from my doorstep. My favourite cafe thus far is Ampersand, a three level bookstore cafe.

With the Ikea furniture put together and the first two week's rent paid I was ready to explore my new home!