Ever since I started thinking about moving to Australia, one of the events I had been most anticipating was celebrating New Year's Eve in Sydney. And why not? I had been dreaming about it for years, had read multiple articles about it, had seen several exciting videos online, and had been told by more than a few individuals that if I was going to be bringing in the new year in Australia, Sydney was the place to do it. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Except that there was a "but" when I made the decision to live in Melbourne first: But will I be able to make it back to Sydney for New Year's Eve if I have to work?
For that reason, I delayed making any official plans of celebrating the holiday in Sydney, watching the flights become increasingly expensive as the airlines took advantage of those crazy enough to have the desire to join the massive crowds filled with people who wanted nothing more than to catch even a glimpse of the fireworks over the harbour bridge and opera house on New Year's Eve. Anyone who knows me is well aware of my terrible procrastination and indecisive habits so it should be of no surprise that I waited until only a few weeks before the 31st of December to come to the inevitable conclusion... with someone's help [thanks, Ryan! :o)]:: I'll only live once and this will most likely be the only time I'll have the opportunity to do this so I had better seize the day and just go for it. No regrets, no thinking twice.
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| A view from the Royal Botanic Gardens |
After making that important decision and talking to my manager, my next step was to book my transportation and accommodation. By this time, flying from Melbourne to Sydney was far too expensive and due to a massive railway sale, the train was sold out, so my only option was to take the coach again. Twelve hours cramped on a bus wasn't sounding ideal, but I knew it would be worth it in the end. I was just thankful that it was affordable for me to return to Melbourne by airplane since the flight is less than two hours. When I started to look for accommodation for just a couple nights, I was only finding hostels that required a minimum stay of ten nights and hotels that cost a fortune; however, I was lucky enough to be able to stay with a friend I had met when I was in Sydney back in October. I guess it turned out that those two and a half weeks at the beginning of my trip had a real purpose, but I've always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Honestly though, I don't know what I would have done without her help.
In just twenty-four short hours, I'll be on my way to Sydney to bring in 2012. It's hard to believe that 2011 is drawing to an end. There isn't a doubt in my mind that it's been simultaneously one of the best and worst years of my life.
However, one thing is for sure:: I wouldn't change a single thing about it.
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