First impressions can lie

This city is still beautiful. 

Today I went to North Sydney (Walked across the Harbour bridge!), and sat down while eating a pie (new favorite snack food) and took in the entire Sydney CBD skyline, including the Opera House.  How many places in the world can you walk to a park and view the whole freaking skyline (and then take the train back to where you're staying!)? 

This city is undoubtably one of the most pretty/atmospheric places I've seen (for a city).  You really get a feel that you are in a living/breathing cosmopolitan area.  Especially during the holidays.

And that might be why I have problems with it.  I've never been big on shopping/consumer culture, and it's here in spades.  In Melbourne there were more restaurants/cafes/bars than shops, and here it's the opposite.  There are way more places to spend money on things than food/drink.  The few places that you can eat/drink are probably really good (the menus look it), but you'll end up spending a pretty penny, and going all out.. I'm not sure how much in between is here.

On a side note, I went to Tetsuya's yesterday.  It's probably the most famous restaurant in Australia, and it's guarded by a freaking gate.  I had to wave at a girl talking on a cell phone outside so that I could get a menu from there... Couldn't stage either, they require 6 month stay minimum.  Oh well, I'll just eat with my eyes.

The people did seem more colorful/relaxed at first, but then I started to think about it, and I'm feeling that all of these swanky places to be seen contribute to a lifestyle based on looking good/spending money, and the inner city reeks of it..

That being said, I'm sure the outer parts of the city have something different, it's just a matter of finding it.  There are a TON of travelers here, and they all focus in a few areas, which are much less shiny looking...

Newtown is the "counterculture" center, with many shops devoted to trendy goods (A retro-furnature warehouse anyone?), but the vibe is very laid back, and the food is dirt cheap and really good (I had Sri Lankan food... A big dosa filled with lamb/potatoes for 8 dollars!).

Also, through the powers of randomness, I am house/catsitting for a German couple living in Sydney.  They have a sweet hammock, and a garden I'm going to try not to kill for a few days.  They basically packed up their suitcases and left Germany because there weren't any jobs, and moved around before settling in Sydney (for the past 3 years!).  Now they have a baby, but they're still of a wandering mindset... kinda cool to see that it can be done...

Sorry my thoughts are scattered.. it's bloody hot over here, and all the walking around must be frying my brain... I'm going to go have some water and make some dinner...  Enjoy the snow everyone!  I'm missing it!  Save some in the freezer for me...