L&L Archives: Sydney, Day 3

Then

I started day three back at The Grounds of the City with a green juice, then cut through Hyde Park on my way to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Quick context, because it deserves it: the gardens are massive (74 acres), very old (opened in 1816), and somehow both the oldest scientific institution in Australia and one of the most important botanical institutions in the world. Casual flex.

While walking through the gardens, I unexpectedly found myself surrounded by a run club made up entirely of shirtless, aggressively tanned men. They ran past me, around me, and somehow through me, like I’d been dropped into the middle of a golden marshmallow stampede. I stood there, confused, impressed, and overwhelmed in a good kind of way.From there, I walked along the water and ended up at the Sydney Opera House. I skipped the tour, so my knowledge is limited, but I do know it has over a million roof tiles and took fourteen years to build. Which feels like both a long time and exactly the right amount of time. From that spot, you can also see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which looks fake in the way only extremely iconic things do.

I turned around and walked toward Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, where I was aggressively reminded that white parrots do not believe in inside voices. They were screaming. Constantly. Truly unbothered by the concept of peace. When I reached the lookout, I sat on a bench to recover and ended up meeting Ron, a 74 year old man, from England. We clicked immediately and talked for over an hour about travel, life, and everything in between. One of those random, perfect conversations that just happens when you’re alone and open to it.

Later, I took the train to Newtown, which feels equal parts hipster, chaotic, and food-forward, so obviously, I came hungry. I started at Black Star Pastry to get my sugar fix, where a massive spider made an appearance and caused mild public hysteria. People froze. People pointed. I simply accepted my fate.

Then it was on to The Continental Deli for a charcuterie board and a glass of wine (necessary), followed by Cow and the Moon for gelato (also necessary). After that, I spent the rest of the day wandering in and out of shops, full, overstimulated, and very happy.

Now

I remember realizing something that day that’s stayed with me. When I headed to Newtown, I typed “Newtown” into my phone and walked briskly toward the dot, very focused on getting there. When I arrived, it was just a random building on a random street.

I looked up and thought, oh. I’ve been in Newtown this whole time.

It taught me to slow down and to stop zeroing in on where I thought I needed to be, and actually notice where I already was.