Hi Friends – just popping in real quick to say hi! I’m still in Australia. As much as I planned to keep up with my regular posting schedule, it’s been tough trying to balance that, my schoolwork, and making the most of my trip. I’ve definitely already skipped one pool day with my friends to sit inside and work! The internet is noticeably slower here, but it was worse than dial-up (does anyone remember that terrible sound, haha) on Hamilton Island. It took me over 2 hours to upload 11 photos when it normally takes me less than 30 seconds!
Today, we arrived in Sydney. We got in at 5pm, so we checked in our hotel, showered, and went to dinner. We were super excited to try this tiny little noodle shop, recommended by my friend Joanna, but didn’t realize it was cash only. Chris and I made it through our entire Paris, Switzerland, and Amsterdam trip without using Euros, just our cards, so we didn’t get any Australian money when we arrived.
Well it wasn’t until we were done eating that we realized the restaurant was cash only. And then I went to the nearest ATM only to have the machine eat my card and suddenly start rebooting! Chris was waiting at our table without cell service so I ran back to let him know the situation, and then back to the ATM to see if it would spit out my card after rebooting. No such luck. I waited at the machine and called my bank to have them lock my account, and Chris came over to find me, having left his phone at the restaurant as collateral. We tried one last time to get my card out, but ultimately just went back to the restaurant and explained our situation. They were super nice and let us pay in USD. WHEW! So Sydney has already been an adventure so far, haha.
Be sure to check in on Instagram and Instastories to see what I’ve been up to, and I hope to get back my my regular posting schedule soon!
