Je suis arrivé

Sitting here in a Starbucks at 5:37pm local time (6:37am GMT) sipping on a soy cappuccino (in Sydney, soy is king) and slowly drying off. It's been an absolute tropical rainstorm since I got here. Walking 25 minutes in said storm with 40kg of luggage to hotel was.... an experience. To say the least. The subsequent shower and power sleep was absolutely delish though!

My first few experiences with Australian service bear mentioning.... ordering a 'large soy macchiato' got a bit lost in translation with the barista and I received a single espresso. I mentioned it to the man and he said 'oh christ mate, sorry, it's the accent that got me!' Cheeky fucker. Later on, went to find myself an umbrella and when I asked for one from the reasonably cute looking girl she kindly got me one. With a big Australia flag on the top of it. Cue huge banter and a clear pickup opportunity (I've shaved since I arrived here; no one has a chance) that I let slide. But battle has been joined with these pommy angling cockroaches!! I feel much fonder of the UK now I'm not there, without the deadening feeling you get from rat-race London. I will defend us guys, for the Queen!

"I am not the author of these troubles but give me the strength to strike down my enemies" - Genghis Khan

Already though there is this smooth friction with people, like I'm in an East LDN greasy spoon talking about how shit (your) Arsenal team is compared to (my) Spurs. You can feel it. Just wish the weather was a bit better...