I had arrived in Sydney! The flight wasn’t too bad, but shortly after landing I realised I hadn’t fully organised my transport or accommodation. I bought a phone card at the airport, where it cost $10 instead of $2 downtown, and jumped on a bus into the city. When I arrived, I stepped off the bus into steady rain and a cold breeze. After travelling through tropical countries for the previous two months, I was thoroughly unprepared for the Sydney winter, however mild it might be.

I ate some mince pies but couldn’t reach my professor to organise a place to stay. On the plane, I had met a kind New Zealander who worked in Sydney, and she said I could call if I couldn’t find anywhere.

With no accommodation and the temperature falling, I gave her a ring.

Although she had to work the next day, she let me sleep on her amazingly comfortable couches and gave me keys to her apartment. I picked up Pizza Hut from down the street and fell asleep early.