It has been a week since I arrived here in Sydney. From the airport, Ate (older sister) whizzed me to Casula where the rest of the family waited. The barbecue night was fun, with many of the younger members now towering over us seniors. My Ate’s children are obviously much older now with some thinking of retirement in about a decade. I know, a decade may sound like a long time, but in my experience time flies fast. Like this is only my 2nd Easter in Australia and I still remember the egg hunt with the then much younger apos (grandkids). How did they grow tall and old so fast? Obviously, we’re not planning any Easter egg hunt anymore. Rather, it’d be a party complete with a bar. Yes, a bar. But I’m getting ahead of my story. It won’t be Holy Week till next, and till then, I’m here to check out a niece’s new pad, shop for clothes as I only brought stuff good for 3 days, accompany Ate on her medical consultations, and simply laze around.

Touchdown, Sydney
Ate Levs playing the piano for me.

The next few days meant recovering from my flights as I just returned from Kerala, India, stayed in Manila a couple of weeks before flying to Sydney. It’s only been a week here but I’ve “cased the joint” around my niece’s new pad in Merrylands. I’ve walked to and heard masses in the 2 churches nearest our crib, checked the train routes to the city and Ate’s home while enjoying the trains breezing in and out of the station, surveyed the offers from the neighborhood fruit and veggie stores as well as butcher shops and bakeshops. The new pad is a pleasant surprise. The balcony view is perfect even if one needs to strain to see the Harbor bridge from a distance. I can imagine the New Year’s Eve fireworks seen from this balcony. And the neighborhood? No way you’d get bored especially if you’re a shopper. The nearby mall and interesting coffee and deli bars need some fierce willpower to resist. My only wish is the coffee shops are nearer to the church and park area. That would have been really nice.

View from the Balcony
Our Crib

A choice of 3 supermarkets in one mall. And a spattering of Thai, Indian, Turkish, Lebanese, Persian, Singaporean-Chinese dining spots. Have yet to see a Vietnamese and Japanese restaurant but I’m sure there are. The food chain giants are here too — KFC, McDonald’s and Hungry Jack. I see “Halal” shops in every corner and a 7-Eleven meets stiff competition from the many interesting mom and pop tiny stores. Thus far, I’ve tried the Thai Resto, the Turkish Gozleme shop, the crispy fried chicken house across our flat, the Lebanese roast chicken, Chinese takeaways, the fish and chips, and the yogurt.

Wish the little kid heads back to find these toys he left in Saint Margaret Mary’s Church in Merrylands, NSW
Lovely flower bouquets. Not cheap, though.

Ate Levy visits from time to time and I try to include a church visit (and mass, whenever possible) when I do my daily walks either in the morning or just before dinner. I’m catching up with my readings and have just put down a book. There’s also my personal journals to jot down my musings and ramblings like what I’m doing now. On a daily basis, I’m in touch with family back home (in Manila) and thank technology for this. Like we can literally talk to each other while having breakfast or brunch. For the first time in a long time, I need not worry about zoom meetings now since I’ve walked away from my professional commitments. As I reflect on my recent decisions, I am only grateful that I find myself in this path where He wanted me to be. Detached. And more present. The simple life suits me. And I’m happier for it.