Arrival in Sydney

I arrived here about a week ago and have been lovingly welcomed into my great uncle's family from the first day. The flight was very exhausting and in retrospect feels like a long dream. Sometimes I slept for 3 hours straight, then I was awake again and suddenly I was asked what I wanted for breakfast or if I wanted a coffee. Furthermore, I was surrounded by many Chinese people throughout the flight. However, this has not changed until today as they have also discovered Sydney for themselves 😂. So many things are different from Germany, it already starts with the bus. If you don't raise your hand from a distance, the bus driver continues..😂 The people here make a more open impression on me than in Germany and they seem somewhat more content. 3 days after my arrival, I took the first step alone into the city. I was very much looking forward to it. The first station I saw was Circular Quay. There you can find the famous Harbour Bridge and the Opera. I couldn't believe it at first because it looked like a picture book. However, it was a bit difficult to keep my orientation, so I keep moving a little further away from my new "home" every time. It's crazy how many people live alone in Sydney. At first, I couldn't tell because of the different currency, what is expensive here and what is not. Slowly I'm getting a feel for it. 60 cents are 1 dollar, so the Australian dollar is worth a little more. However, the cost of living here is also significantly higher in some areas. A six pack of Heineken costs 25 dollars, which is between 12-14 €. My first and for now last six pack that I bought. 2 days ago, I went to the Germans Club with Dorothy, the wife of my great uncle (a very warm, loving woman who you can only love), which was hosting an Oktoberfest. There were mostly older people there, but they were all very kind and friendly to me. I had very long and detailed conversations with several seniors who, like me, were born in Germany and emigrated when they were 20 or 21 years old. They have built their lives here and started a family, so each of them already has several children and grandchildren scattered here in Australia. That fascinated me a lot. Every evening when I lie in bed, countless thoughts race through my mind about what my family in Germany is doing or experiencing, and what awaits me in the future. That's why I hardly got any sleep in the first few nights. But I think it will get better with time. In a week, the journey across Australia towards Queensland will start and I will contact you as soon as possible. My uncle Kurt already warned me that I may not have internet for longer periods of time, but don't worry, I will always contact you as regularly as possible and share my new impressions with you. Until then.

Your Valentin