Around the Neighborhood

I've never been one to be trigger happy--that is, when it comes to a camera. For most of my life, I've been pretty confident that not being the one to take pictures is the best way to go. Never having to worry about lost/stolen cameras, or trying to ensure pictures of yourself somehow make it into any given album...that's hard work! Consequently, in the past I've passed on picture-taking, knowing that there will always be tons of other trigger happy fingers with digital cameras wherever I go.

However, much to the dismay of my two parents, I arrived in Australia without my camera (yeah, that's right; I left my camera safely packed up in a box in California). Even when my dad offered to buy me a new camera, I resisted. It's just too much pressure!

But, like me, my parents are very wonderfully stubborn people, and did not let my protestations get in their way of "seeing Carlyn's Australia." Not only did they fly over here for Christmas, but they brought a camera or two with them--one of which somehow managed to get left over here when they departed. Two weeks later, a box filled with candy, books, necessary medicines...and a camera cord and camera software...was sent to me. Tricky people we are, my family.

Either way, I'm turning a new leaf in 2010: I will take some pictures. Clearly there are a few people out there (coughcoughmomanddadcoughcough) who desire a few "Carlyn Down Under" albums, and therefore I'll do my best to grant their request.

Below is my first mini-album, entitled "Around the Neighborhood"....

This is my house. It's a two-story terrace house, like the majority of houses in Sydney...

Brian in front of the house.

Me in front of the house. I do love to pose.

Most doors in Australia have doorknobs smack in the center. I love it. Why would you ever have a doorknob on the left when you could have one in the center??

The somewhat sexist Turkish church around the corner (the picture is a bit blurry--I haven't mastered my photography skills yet--but you'll notice there are two white signs: one that says "men's entry" and points to the left, and another that says "women's entry" and point's to the right). The Turkish population in Sydney is surprisingly large, and it's particularly noticeable in our neighborhood. In fact, Brian and I are currently on a quest for the best kebab. So far, the "Turkish Delight" on Crown St. is our number-one pick.

The beach is at our front step! I mean, wait, just kidding. I honestly have no idea how this picture got in here (that's my mom and brother in Fiji, just fyi)...

The Blockbuster in Surry Hills has an "Australia" section. I find that slightly amusing. Also, this particular location offers $1 weekly rentals on Wednesday. Since it is Wednesday, I just returned from Blockbuster, armed with the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

The Surry Hills Blockbuster also prefers to showcase old motown hits like "Hold On, I'm Coming" by Sam & Dave. No movie previews or clips for them. It's fantastic. I danced the whole time we were there.

Our supermarket! Again, the sign's a bit blurry, but Coles is my grocery store of choice. Their home brand, Coles Smart Buy, is the best thing to happen to budget backpackers. Fifty-nine cent pasta, five dollar chicken, and two dollar litres of milk. NOT going broke this year!

Brian thought this picture was funny. (Get it? Collect four kids, instead of collect for kids...Yeah, I didn't laugh either).