On Christmas Eve/Christmas I listened on repeat, all day, to the only Christmas music I had on my iPod. Which included: “Let It Snow,” “White Christmas,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Michael Buble. As I listened, I realized – all of which were things NOT to happen this Christmas for me, yet, I happily hummed along anyway.
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| Mesha walking the Harbour Bridge |
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| View of North Sydney & the harbor from the bridge |
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| The Harbour Bridge |
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| view of the Opera House from the Harbour Bridge |
Buble’s tunes joined me on my walk across the Harbour Bridge, which provided incredible views of the Opera House, harbor and city.
I walked back over the bridge, as it was a shorter walk than I anticipated, and then headed to Town Hall. I had decided to go to an early Christmas Eve Service, as I did not know how late public transit ran at night. Town Hall’s church, if that is what it is to be called, was massive with a large balcony and high ceilings. While the church didn’t fill up, sitting there I seemed to be more in the holiday spirit than ever. During the service we sang a number of beloved Christmas Carols, which I fully enjoyed. Afterwards I took the bus home and went to bed, exhausted, just as the clock struck midnight.
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| photo collage of some of my pictures of the Harbour Bridge |
I walked back over the bridge, as it was a shorter walk than I anticipated, and then headed to Town Hall. I had decided to go to an early Christmas Eve Service, as I did not know how late public transit ran at night. Town Hall’s church, if that is what it is to be called, was massive with a large balcony and high ceilings. While the church didn’t fill up, sitting there I seemed to be more in the holiday spirit than ever. During the service we sang a number of beloved Christmas Carols, which I fully enjoyed. Afterwards I took the bus home and went to bed, exhausted, just as the clock struck midnight.
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| Town Hall |
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| Inside Town Hall |
With no Christmas Tree to flock to nor any home baked goodies for brekki, I had a hard time recalling it was Christmas, until my friend’s flat mate reminded us all – by saying “Merry Christmas” and offering us some coffee cake (which was store bought, but nevertheless a treat).
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| of course I stopped at the Opera House on my way to the Botanical Gardens |
My plan for Christmas was to join a group for a picnic for backpackers and the like at the Botanical Gardens, followed by a trip to Bondi Beach for the day. While it surely didn’t feel like Christmas, there were definitely subtle reminders of such.
Signs Prohibiting Alcohol at the beach included stick figures complete with Santa hats
Tourist and the like could be spotted lying out on the beach in their swimmers and Santa hats. (I even saw a surfer, surfing with one on).
The City was lit up with Christmas Lights, decorated Christmas trees, and banners that read “Happy Christmas” – (apparently they don’t say “Merry Christmas” here).
Signs Prohibiting Alcohol at the beach included stick figures complete with Santa hats
Tourist and the like could be spotted lying out on the beach in their swimmers and Santa hats. (I even saw a surfer, surfing with one on).
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| The French Guys who I made friends w/ (& borrowed their hat) |
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| An American Tourist on Holiday in Oz |
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| Mesha enjoying the sun at Bondi Beach on Christmas! |
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| Bondi Beach |
The City was lit up with Christmas Lights, decorated Christmas trees, and banners that read “Happy Christmas” – (apparently they don’t say “Merry Christmas” here).
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| Holidays wreaths lined the streets |
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| a tree made out of bikes! |
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| Tree at Martin Place |
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| Close up of tree |
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| One of the window displays at Myer, a large dept. store downtown. |
After the beach, where I enjoyed a spread of fine cheese and olives, salami, crackers, and Cadbury’s delicious Black Forest chocolate, I went to the Hyde Park Barracks and St. Mary’s Cathedral to see the “Lights Of Christmas” light show.
On my way there I passed a Starbucks (which I have actually only seen a handful while in Oz) and considered a Peppermint Mocha to make it feel more like Christmas…but recalling I was in a singlet, shorts, and thongs, and still quite warm, I skipped it. Luckily to my surprise, a lovely ice cream stand greeted me at St. Mary’s. I got a small scoop of Mint Chocolate Chip, sat down on the steps and enjoyed the show. As I boarded the bus back to Newtown for the night, I smiled, knowing it had indeed been a lovely Aussie-Christmas.
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| Snacks at the Beach for Christmas |
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| Hyde Park Barracks Lit up |
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| St. Mary's Cathedral |
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| St. Mary's "Lights of Christmas" show |
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| Designs are ALL lights projected onto the cathedral |
On my way there I passed a Starbucks (which I have actually only seen a handful while in Oz) and considered a Peppermint Mocha to make it feel more like Christmas…but recalling I was in a singlet, shorts, and thongs, and still quite warm, I skipped it. Luckily to my surprise, a lovely ice cream stand greeted me at St. Mary’s. I got a small scoop of Mint Chocolate Chip, sat down on the steps and enjoyed the show. As I boarded the bus back to Newtown for the night, I smiled, knowing it had indeed been a lovely Aussie-Christmas.
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| Merry Christmas! (2010 Celebrated in Sydney, Australia) |
The church you visited for Christmas Eve is just beautiful! The beach sign with santa hats was priceless as well. :) I can't imagine it being warm for Christmas . . . oh wait, I'm from California. ANYWAY, I miss you mucho and really enjoy reading your posts and seeing the sights!
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