A day in my Sydney Life

I lived in Sydney for six weeks, working at the Fringe Festival, swimming in the sea, and exploring the city with friends. Some new friends, others as old as knowing them from home! On this particular Sunday, I started the day as I often did, with a swim at Coogee beach. I swam lengths between the flags, over the waves, dipping and diving.

There was a vegan market at the Entertainment Quarter from 9am–4pm, and I decided to stop by there on my way to meet friends in Darling Quarter. There were an array of stalls offering sweet treats and hot, savoury delights, coffee, plus other, non-edible goods. I was stoked to find a cookie stall that offered vegan nut-free cookies. It can be really difficult to find nut-free, vegan treats like cookies, and to have a stall dedicated to them meant I felt so safe trying them out! The man there was handing out bites for passersby to try and I had a couple, before purchasing a cookie to take away with me. He informed me that they were also gluten free, to which I responded that "they still taste so good." He said that ‘"that’s because we still put sugar in." That’ll do it!

I got a coffee too, and found a spot in Centennial Park to enjoy it, whilst journalling. The sun broke out from behind the clouds and the day got warm. 

I caught the light rail to Chinatown and walked to the Chinese Garden of Friendship, where I met Karenna and Kirsty. We paid the $12 entry fee and walked into the garden with the maps we were offered. One was the ‘kids’ map and had clues to spotting the Zodiac animal ornaments throughout the garden. The garden consisted of a range of stunning green trees and plants, and beautiful red pavilions. There was a large lake in the middle where bright orange fish and turtles swam. Lizards darted along paths and watched as we walked by. Kirsty took a seat on one of the stone benches to sketch whilst Karenna and I wandered to spot the Zodiac creatures. We walked up and down stone steps and waved across the lake at Kirsty, admiring the views under the lush blue sky. We were in a haven of nature and beauty, with the large, city buildings still visible beyond the trees. 

We ate lunch in the shade of one of the pavilions, and spent a while talking. Naturally, we spoke a lot about travel, about being solo, compromise, and uncertainty. It was such a beautiful place to connect with friends.

After a couple of hours in the garden, we headed to Surry Hills Yo-chi. We filled pots with frozen yoghurt and topped them with fruit, chocolate, and more, and then devoured them at a table. There were colouring sheets there, so we decided to do some colouring in, postponing the moment where we’d have to say goodbye. As always, this is the hardest part of travel. Saying goodbye to wonderful people – and what a privilege that is. I would still see Karenna again before she left Australia, and I planned to see Kirsty in just a few months, but the two of them were saying goodbye for an indefinite amount of time. It was a bittersweet last half an hour together.

After saying goodbye, I headed back to the Entertainment Quarter for work. I was working at the Sydney Fringe Festival, and spent the evening doing front of house for one of the shows. After the shift, we got a drink to celebrate another week of Fringe, and spent a couple of hours chatting and laughing as the complex quietened for the night.

I found my Sydney life and routines to be so fulfilling. Swimming often, being immersed in nature, and connecting with great people. It was a pleasure to live this lovely little life for a brief but satisfying time.