Sydney really is the crown jewel of Australia – a stunning, cosmopolitan city abuzz with activity. It is alive, pulsing, racing with activity. It is gaudy in it’s beauty – almost unfair that one city has so much glamour. From the moment we stepped off the plane, our mouths were gaping in awe at one of the capitals of the Asia-Pacific.
We had a great time rambling the city with my surprisingly resilient family. We had a fabulous dinner with the Florida Girl in Sydney and her clan. We even had a blessedly brief and efficient visit to the American consulate. (As an aside, can I just say how happy I am not to have to see George Bush’s smirking mug every time I walk into an American government building?) In short, 48 hours in Syndey was fantastic.
But I’m glad it was only 48 hours. Glad that I don’t live there. Visits to big cities always make me grateful that I don’t live in one. I like my life at a slower pace and small cities like Athens, Georgia and Columbia, Missouri and Oxford, England have always been perfect for me. They are small enough to allow some room to stretch, but have enough going on to keep one entertained. And as we stepped off the plane in sleepy little Adelaide, I was bathed in a satisfying feeling of being home.
Here are some more photos from the big city…
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by arizaphale
23 Nov 2009 at 13:20
I LOVE Sydney! I would live there tomorrow. Where is the second photo taken from???? What a million dollar view!!!!!! Glad you had a good time. Look forward to meeting the parental body!
by ZenMom
23 Nov 2009 at 13:22
Lovely photos!
I love to visit big cities for culture and entertainment – museums, concerts, sporting events, tourist sites a – but for everyday living, I’m a small town girl at heart.
ZenMom´s last blog ..Gone
by tysdaddy
23 Nov 2009 at 14:09
That last picture is beyond amazing. Simply stunning . . .
tysdaddy´s last blog ..Eleven Months
by Seattledad
23 Nov 2009 at 14:38
I agree, terrific photos. Would love to visit there someday, though I doubt it will be in the cards anytime soon.
Nice tune too. I was first thinking “great kids music”, then towards the end, not so much.
Seattledad´s last blog ..My 1st Kiss & A Bowl of Hot Random to Go.
by Not Afraid To Use It
23 Nov 2009 at 15:34
It’s funny how living in a mid-sized city can be the best of both worlds. Hubbie thought he was a city guy, but more and more he is realizing that bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. And no, that is not a sexual innuendo. Glad the trip was such a success.
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by Keep your relationship with your spouse healthy | Parenting help in California
23 Nov 2009 at 17:37
[...] All the kids want to be big city kids | A Free Man [...]
by ~ Jan ~
23 Nov 2009 at 19:45
Nah…you’ve got it wrong…in my book Melbourne is the crown jewel of Australia.
lol So pleased you got to catch up with Florida Girl in Sydney…that’s awesome…I love hearing those stories! Cheers! 
~ Jan ~´s last blog ..The aunty and uncle you have…when your aunties and uncles are in Australia…
by A Free Man
23 Nov 2009 at 20:29
Ariza – You’re much more cosmopolitan than I am. The second photo is from Watson’s Bay.
ZenMom – Thanks. The security of a smaller town rules.
Tys – Thanks. That’s Not Max’s great-grandmother.
SeattleDad – I thought the same thing about the song!
NATUI – Are you sure it isn’t sexual innuendo?
Jan – I think Melbourne will be our next trip. I’ll be the judge.
A Free Man´s last blog ..All the kids want to be big city kids
by Joe @ IrrationalDad
23 Nov 2009 at 21:13
I can’t stand big cities. I even can’t stand just driving through a big city. I live in a very small town and I love it. We’ve got a grocery store, a Walmart, and a bunch of mom and pop shops. I’m sure the wife wouldn’t mind the addition of a Target or a Kohl’s, but I’m content just how it is.
Joe @ IrrationalDad´s last blog ..Anyone have a spare attitude they can lend us?
by kitty
23 Nov 2009 at 22:11
I’m with Jan. Sydney leaves me cold. Melbourne is the place to be (unless you’re visting the Pompeii exhibition)
kitty´s last blog ..fuck me, it’s hot
by My Name's Not Barbara
23 Nov 2009 at 23:26
I couldn’t agree more about living in a big city. I’m excited to leave NYC.
Your photos always come out so crisp and colorful. What type of camera do you use?
My Name’s Not Barbara´s last blog ..Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don’t. – Pete Seeger
by Technobabe
24 Nov 2009 at 03:21
I so love the last photo of the older generation with the newest child. So much to pass on to the next generations. Sounds like your trip was a great adventure.
Technobabe´s last blog ..Unfit, Uneducated, Criminal
by rassles
24 Nov 2009 at 05:51
I’m going there. Sydney. Someday.
rassles´s last blog ..Guess what song has been playing in my head all day.
by jen
24 Nov 2009 at 05:55
loved Sydney, could totally live there… but i’m a Big City kinda girl
that first pic is great!
by Jill/Twipply Skwood
24 Nov 2009 at 10:24
Oh my goodness – Boy Z is looking so grown up! I guess a new baby will do that.
Glad you had a good time!!!!
Jill/Twipply Skwood´s last blog ..It’s Okay to Rape Your Future Step Parents Though. Apparently.
by muskrat
24 Nov 2009 at 11:36
We also all want to be big, big stars, but we have different reasons for that.
This looks like a great trip…one I hope to make one day as well.
I may have an opportunity to buy a retiring attorney’s firm in Athens next year–going up to meet with him in January to discuss it. I’ve been in the ATL city limits for 12 years after 4 years in Tuscaloosa. I’ll have to consult you when it comes time to make the big decision.
muskrat´s last blog ..things of which i am not a fan: god’s use of irony
by Florida Girl in Sydney
24 Nov 2009 at 21:06
I half-heartedly agree with you, I could easily say I’d be more comfortable in a not-city (like Not Max?). But this is our first time living in a “real city” and we’re enjoying it– and of course we enjoyed our time with y’all! I’ll be sure to get you some Gator gear while we’re in FL— hahahahhahaha. Sorry.
Florida Girl in Sydney´s last blog ..Fireworks in my Bedroom
by courtney
25 Nov 2009 at 14:14
Nice photos! I’ve always wanted to visit Sydney. If I ever make it there I’ll be sure to head over to Adelaide to visit you too.
courtney´s last blog ..In Your Facebook
by Bulldog in Exile
26 Nov 2009 at 01:05
Great to see your Stateside family is there. A (premature) Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Bulldog in Exile´s last blog ..Dawgs whip UNC in Basketball
by Jud
28 Nov 2009 at 06:31
Sounds like a fun trip with the family, Chris.
Jud´s last blog ..Giving Thanks
by Beth
29 Nov 2009 at 11:08
Visiting Sydney is definitely on my bucket list. Until then, I love my little south Georgia town.
I just wish more folks in my town were as excited as you to see the demise of the Bush era.
Beth´s last blog ..Them’s fightin’ words
by ssg
02 Dec 2009 at 01:22
hello
are you still on holiday? hope you are all having a great time. xx
ssg´s last blog ..hello again
by nursemyra
05 Dec 2009 at 08:20
wish we’d had a chance to catch up while you were in Sydney. have just read your post about Timmins and Baby Z. Words fail me so sending you *hugs*