We had three goals today: get our laundry done, visit the University of Sydney, and have a farewell dinner with Pamela at Tetsuya’s.
We started with the laundry. Dad found a place in the Rocks that would do a load of normal wash (socks and anything that didn’t need pressing) for $14. And pressed pants were only $3. We walked our laundry over there and dropped it off. They assured us it would be returned to the hotel by that afternoon. I hopped so or I was down to one pair of pants for the rest of the trip!
After that was accomplished we charted a course down to the University of Sydney. It was a bit of a walk, about twice as far from the hotel to the aquarium, plus the walk from the laundry back past the hotel. It took about an hour, but the weather was very pleasant.
We got to walk through China Town on our way, which was quite interesting. The smells from the restaurants were incredible! It was a shame we were having an Asian influenced dinner or we would have stopped and sampled some.
We actually ended up eating at a crepe place in the student union at the University. Since the crepe place at Northwestern is the best food you can get on campus I figured it was a fair test. Sadly (for me) Northwestern lost. The crepe I had was delicious! It was quite similar to Northwestern’s egg/ham/cheese crepe, but the ingredients were better and they added two mysterious sauces (one white and one red) that were delicious. Unfortunately I have no idea what they were, but they were exactly what the crepe needed.
After that we wandered through the student union on the Darlington campus (which is on the north side of Paramatta road). The Darlington campus isn’t very geographically separated from the main campus, but it is the Engineering and International student hang out. I would guess that 90% of the students I saw on that side were Asian! And the building had a bit of a high school vibe to it, with lockers in all the hallways and a large cafeteria space.
After lunch we went up to the International Office to see if I could get some study abroad brochures and/or chat with someone about their program. The girl behind the counter was very helpful (after my number was called -- it was a busy place!). She gave me some brochures and a map. She checked to see if one of their program coordinators was available to chat. He was out to lunch, so she suggested we go take a walk on the main campus and come back later in the afternoon.
After she asked what programs I was interested in she marked out a route for us on the map.
We crossed a bridge over the road and suddenly it felt like we were on a real college campus! There was a main pedestrian road through the middle of campus. They were getting ready for some sort of festival. I never figured out if it was a music festival or what, but there were huge boxcars placed along the path and people were busy decorating them with spray paint. It looked like it was going to be a good time.
We wandered to the quadrangle, one of the oldest and prettiest buildings on campus. I was startled to discover a little museum in one wing. It was a bit of an eclectic collection, with some Egyptian mummies and artifacts from Pompeii. There was also a display about the doctor whose name was in the title of the museum.
We cut through a lawn full of people playing in a tennis tournament. Their fans were very enthusiastic. We went past the medical building and I picked up a flier about their medical program. I was startled to discover that it is much more specific than American medical schools. From day one you choose your program (surgery, public health, general practice, research, etc.). American medical schools just teach general medicine and you specialize after you graduate, sometime during your internship and residency.
I’m not actually sure after graduating from Northwestern I’d be qualified for an Australian medical school because I won’t know anything practical, like basic anatomy!
After that we went back to the International Office and Danny Shepherd was kind enough to chat with me for about half an hour. He told me about the University of Sydney’s study abroad program, the campus, what life was like depending on whether you came over independently or as part of a third party program. The only fly in the ointment for me is that the Health Sciences campus is about an hour away from the main campus, which wouldn’t be terribly practical.
Danny happened to be from Auckland, and when he found out we’re flying to New Zealand tomorrow he was excited and gave us a few insider tips about things to do in Auckland. On the QT he also told me I should check out the University of Auckland for studying abroad...
Our feet were kind of tired and we wanted a chance to relax at the hotel before dinner so we caught a cab back to the Four Seasons.
Pamela met us in the lobby at 5:30 and we caught another cab to Tetsuya’s for dinner. The meal was wonderful! This is the place the concierge recommended in addition to our original list, and she was right! This is the best restaurant in Sydney. It was the home-run meal we’ve been waiting for all week. And it was lovely that Pamela was able to join us.
We gave Pamela a copy of Bill Bryson’s In A Sunburned Country (but in Australia it has been repackaged as Down Under) for her imminent cruise around Australia. I can’t wait to hear all about her trip!
I also experienced a landmark experience at dinner, although I didn’t realize it was one until long after I’d done it. Tonight was the first time I have ever ordered an alcoholic beverage for myself in any country. It was a 2009 albarino from Spain in case anyone is interested.
Dinner was just wonderful, and the company certainly couldn’t be beat. It has been a truly wonderful week in Sydney. Our excursions and activities were all wonderful, but I can honestly say that the highlights were meeting Pamela’s lovely family.
Speaking as someone from a very small family I have never understood the appeal of a large one until now. When we sat with Pamela’s family chatting and sharing a wonderful meal it felt like we’d known them forever because they were so warm and welcoming. We are so blessed to have met such a wonderful person as Pamela!
The only problem with the evening was that it was over too soon however and we had to wish Pamela good night and safe travels on her cruise.
Thankfully when we got back to our room our clean laundry was folded and waiting for us. We decided to pack in the morning and called it a night.
Tomorrow we head to New Zealand. I’m excited to see it, but I’m sad to leave Sydney!
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