Ever noticed that everyone claims to be Irish when the big day arrives?

Well - I'm in Sydney, and in Kings Cross (backpacker paradise) there are actually a lot of Irish here, and also loads that just want to jump on the bandwagon for the excuse of a night out (inc. me!)

Starting the day in style with a $10 full Irish breakfast including a pint of Guiness, I knew it wouldn't be long before I was passed out someplace :o) After missing each other a few times, Sharon, Andy and me finally managed to meet up to celebrate all things green View image. Sending each other emails for months, we've never actually met before, and it turns out we have been living mere streets away from each other for the last week - doh! We ended up gossiping till after 4.30am so it was nearly light again by the time I wandered back to the hostel.

Backtracking a bit, this city is pretty small - maybe the same size as Birmingham? It feels a lot more intimate than other cities I've been to. I walked around for about 6 hours yesterday (I know, I never walk anywhere at home) I feel relaxed here. I have a vague idea of where things are (very vague that is - was supposed to be viewing houses yesterday at 4pm and didn't arrive at the offices till nearly 6 - I have the worst sense of direction - even with a map!) I don't see it as being lost - more of a 'temporary non-awareness of where I am' (even when it lasts for hours!)

Sydney's a nice place to wander. The city is very green - there seem to be a lot of parks here (unless I was just passing the same one again and again). It's laid out in a fairly logical way. I'm staying for the time being in a hostel out in the area of Woolloomooloo (how fab is that for a name?) The crowd that stay there are nice, and I've spent most evenings going out with them so far. Backpackers are a nice bunch :o) But I've been drinking WAY too much recently, and its time to move on or I'll be skint and homeless before I know what hit me! By the way, chess is a spectator sport here View image, View image strange!