I've got a lot to catch up on!
The Blue Mountains and the big storm. What a weekend. We managed to catch the last train out of Newcastle on my birthday. The weather was so bad tracks flooded and all train traffic stopped. We did some transport juggling: train for a while, bus, train, then off due to tree on the track, then back on another train, then another train. It took us seven hours to get there. It should have only taken four. And it was raining and wet.
The next day we went to the Jenolan Caves (www.jenolancaves.org.au). Crystal caves. So cool. We were delayed by a rockslide on the road but made it eventually. Saw two caves. There are lots of photos of these. Went out to eat that night at a great vegetarian restaurant (there are heaps of them all over the area).
The next day we did the tourist hop on/hop off a bus thing. Did a long boardwalk at Scenic World (www.scenicworld.com.au), saw lots of falls, hiked all over, did a little shopping in Leura (town next to Katoomba) and ended our night with dinner and a concert at a little hotel. At first it looked to be a lame show, but once it started we had a good time. Made friends with the musicians (one of whom had their roof cave in due to the storm) and chatted. Nice way to end the trip. Have posted photos.
Got back to Newcastle Monday afteroon and had a full week of solo teaching ahead of me. Busy busy. Went to the State of Origin Game 2 in Sydney with Lucie, Anthony and their host dads. Game was lame and apparently it was some of the worst reffing ever in this series. It wasn't the most exciting rugby game I've been to (and now I can say that because I've been to quite a few) but I was happy to have experienced it. Will post photos soon.
Spent last weekend in Melbourne. I stayed with my step-dad's uncle and had a wonderful time. We went out in Melbourne all day on Saturday and walked for about 7 hours. Saw the Melbourne Museum (melbourne.museum.vic.gov.au), walked to Federation Square (www.federationsquare.com.au), did a little shopping at the Queen Victoria Markets (www.qvm.com.au/home.php), and had a nice, relaxing time. Allan and Jan were kind and fun! I have photos to post soon from this weekend too.
Busy couple of weeks coming up! On Friday the teachers are having a dinner at our principal's house. Should be nice and relaxing. On Saturday I'm finally making it to an Aussie Rules Football game. Sydney Swans Vs. Collinwood. I plan to take many photos there.
June 29th my two weeks of non-stop travel begin. New Zealand for six days, Tasmania for five days, then two days in Airlie Beach (Sunshine! Yay!), one in Brisbane, and back to Kotara South July 15th for two days. I leave for home July 17th! I can't believe how fast it has gone. It's just begining to be normal to drive on the left side of the road. I know that when I come back, I'll have many places to stay and people to visit. Most of our families are planning a trip to the US in the next five years so they'll have places to visit too!
Love and miss you all so much.
-Jessica
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