So Margaret arrived in Sydney on Saturday, more specifically around 10:30 at my wonderful accommodations known as Maharlika Gardens. We spent some time catching up on our lives and then went down the road to a local bar. We drank some beer and caught up on the gossip from home, however we did not know much between us. We played some pool, drank some more and talked even more.

Sunday, we woke up and made some phone calls to the States. Then got ready to venture into the city. We first went to pay for the Bridge climb and then went to find lunch - fried fish with french fries (I know, real nutritious), but who cares, we are on vacation! Then we went to find a taxi to take us to Paddy's Market. We were taken to the wrong market, so we walked a spell and then decided to get another taxi.

Paddy's Market is only open a few days of the week. On sunday's the market closes at 5, it was just after 4, we had to hurry. We had plenty of time to look around in the mass chaos and find lots of gifts for people. It was very productive. We then walked George Street. George Street is the main street in Sydney. It runs the whole length of the city, just about (the important parts of the city). We were at one end and had to go the other end. The bridge climb was at 6:55.

The bridge climb was completely worth the money! We got there at 6:30 to rest At 6:45 we went to sit in a room and watch a cheesy movie talking about the experience of the climb, then we were moved into another room to get informed on the climb and sign papers and get a breatherlizer test (we were good to go). Finally, we were given a suit and put all our belonging into a locker. You are not allowed to wear bracelets or watches. Then we were shown how to get into our harnesses and gathered various other equipment, such as a fleece hat, a fleece pullover and a hanky. Slowly, but surely we moved through the large room to the make shift ladder and cat walk, things that we were to encounter while on the climb. I went first, no problem. Margaret went, no problem. There was one couple from Chicago who were on their honeymoon, two girls from England and one guy from...Denmark? Finally, we got radios and we were on our way to climb the bridge.

You begin the trip be walking through a residence and then begin walking up above the cars and be the port. You climb through some close corners and have to duck a few times. Then comes the one of the hard parts, going across the water on the catwalk - about 50 meters above sea level and you can see everything to the left, to the right and below you, perfectly! Then the hardest part, for me, was climbing up the 4 ladders. It was nerve racking, at least I thought. But it was so cool! You climb in between the highway where the cars are. Then you begin the climb upwards. It was amazing. The sun was setting as we reached the ladders and as we made our way up to the top, we could see the city lights and Sydney in all it's glory! We got many pictures - Margaret and Me with Sydney Opera House in the background and then again a group shot. We then began out decent downwards, getting another picture of me and Marge with Sydney behind us. Then came the dreadful climb downwards, the 4 ladders. Now we were climbing down between the two trains. It was, well, an adventure all in itself. We were finished. The climb at night was amazing. Thanks Ms. McCall for suggesting the night climb!

Then we got dinner at a nice Italian restaurant called Amo Roma. It was a great Italian dinner of pasta and bread and a bottle of red wine. Delicious. Then we hailed a taxi and went back home where I passed out and Margaret was hyper, yet again. She was hyper last night too, not going to sleep for awhile.

Monday, I decided to skip school. I slept in and it felt GREAT! Margaret and I woke up eventually and got a bus into the city, yet again. We went to the Imax theatre to see what was playing. We brought tickets to see Extreme at 5. Then went to find a light lunch in Darling Harbour. Then we went to walk around and hang out in the beautiful weather. At 5 we went to watch the movie about extreme skiing, snowboarding, surfing, rock climbing and something else. It was pretty cool.

After the movie, we walked to George Street again to find out dinner - Est. Dinner reservations were at 6:30. This dinner was amazingly good, so good. We got drinks, a great meal and great wine. For dessert, they give you little treats of goodies. Some were better than others. The whole experience was very nice. Daddy, the wine list was amazing! You would have loved it. I wish you were there to tell me about the wines though.

We got done with dinner around 8ish. Again, we got a taxi to take us home. The night was easy, just watching tv and hanging out...eventually going to sleep. It was great spending time with marge, seeing a face from home. It is not far off, but i'll be coming home soon! I hope ya'll have a happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!