How many people read that I had a tattoo? Who actually saw it and believed it? Show of Hands...
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on if you're family) I DO NOT have a tattoo. Basically, I didn't know how many people were actually reading this, so just wanted to see who would actually see that and hoping for a response so I knew who was reading my blog.
The response was....underwhelming. My I heard back from 4 people about it - Mum, Dad, Mike and Jane. Even Jo who commented didn't even say mention it, to excited about the thought I met someone from Maidstone....
Anyways, Onto Sydney. When I eventually arrived, I was met at the bus stop by Nicky. I went to school with Nicky, and so thought it would be a good enough excuse to see if I could stay with her. It would be great to see and catch up with Nicky, we got on well at BGS and kinda lost touch a little after school, as you do with people. Also, here backpacker rates are much better than most of Sydney's.....
After dumping my bags and taking a quick wander round the 'Camden Road of Sydney' (according to Tour Guide Nicky) I met Daniel, Michael and Kelvin, friends of Nickys with whom we were going to go to a Zombie March! Not bad for your first day.
The pictures are awesome, Look on my Facebook. We were seriously underdressed compared to the effort the other people went to. We were supposed to meet at 3.30 and march from Hyde Park to...another park (I forgot the name, sorry, bit tired, you'll see why if you read on). However, we arrived at 3.55, so had to run through the streets of Sydney to catch up, which was basically at the end of the March, a distance from maybe Top of Park Street to Broadmead? It seemed miles in hot weather, dressed as a Zombie with people staring. Cos Hundreds of Zombies marching together isn't that weird, but 5 zombies sprinting is a little odd.
After the March we walked home from Central Sydney, which took about an hour, maybe less, but gave Nicky the Chance to show me round Sydney, including the University which has been modelled on Oxford. The uni is quite stunning, especially on approach. A mix of stunning old and fantastic new buildings (and some rubbish mid-age buildings that rivals Southampton University).
Sunday was the first time for me to venture into Sydney alone to watch Australia v India at the SCG. The stadium itself is stunning, but quite the bugger to get to. After deciding a train to central and bus to the stadium was too complicated and expensive, I decided to get a train to the closest station, Bondi. Now, on the map it looked a 15 minute walk at most. It turned out the station was 40 minutes from the ground.
I was in row H, bay 26, which was about 5 rows back from the edge of the ground at Long Off/Deep Fine Leg, depending on the direction of the bowling, not that that will mean much to most of you (Basically, it's just off centre). I was also sat next to someone who can only be described as the Indian Professor Klump.
That atmosphere was insane. The Indian's sure love their cricket. The Indian Barmy Army spent the entire game travelling from block to block dancing and playing drums. You'd be forgiven for thinking there wasn't actually a game going on. There was also lots of fancy dress around, including Mr and Mrs Jack Sparrow, The Smurfs and, in my eyes the most outrageous, two indians dressed as Obama and Osama. They were stopped so much for photo's I don't think they saw much Cricket (although did attract a few chants, including 'Go Die in a hole you terrorist!'...I'm not sure who that was aimed at though...
They were big on their crowd participation at the SCG, with lots of songs and sounds over the tanoy to make the crowd join in a create an atmosphere (though the Barmy Army were doing this al on their own, and much better). A local favourite was the Addams Family Theme Tune. I've never head so many people clap out of time so many times before. At least half the 33,000 crowd got the clapping wrong every time the tune came on...baring in mind the songs were on a 5 over loop....
The actual cricket was pretty good, some awesome cricket played (and some not so good, including a clash between Indian players whilst both going for a catch (they did catch it) but did invite chants of 'You're going home in a back of an Ambulance!'...No? Nothing? Made me chuckle...then again I was on my own...). Australia eventually won, comfortably by about 90 ish runs.
Coming home was interesting. After leaving though a different gate to that I entered, I was kinda lost. I started walking in a direction I though would cut off a corner, but after 15 mins decided to check, cos it would be a bit silly wandering into a park I didn't actually know in the middle of the Dark, especially for someone as handsome and sexy as me. Apparently, I was heading south East, and I needed North. Glad I checked.
So I had to walk back to the stadium, loop round, then walk back to Bondi, a journey which took over an hour. Serves me right.
Now you can see why I'm so tired....
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