Vivid Sydney 2012

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

The very first city event I witnessed since arriving in Sydney last June was the much talked about Vivid Sydney 2012. I was with close friends who braved the winter night chill and walked around the city along with thousands of other people who came to witness the last night of the event.

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Vivid Sydney is an ‘annual event of light, music and ideas’, check this link for more information: Vivid Sydney. The good thing about this event is the fact that it’s also free! Designated areas, places and landmarks around the Sydney CBD come alive after dark and become a feast for the eyes. It was amazing to see and think that such masterpieces were created by someone.  The arts scene is definitely active and alive and this event was a good outlet for such incredible creativity.

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

I saw heaps of interactive light sculptures and light shows (the one done on customs house was tops for me – aside from the light show, it was some sort of a short animation of a typical working day in Sydney). Each exhibition had a description which was very informative as it contained the concept of the exhibit, the artist, among other factoids. If you view the map Vivid Sydney Program Map you will find a lot of exhibits of which I was only able to see maybe a quarter of the total – credit that too the freezing night, major-major long queues to any reputable dining establishment and wearing shoes that wasn’t meant for heavy walking. After two hours of going around Circular Quay, we just about had it and decided to walk all the way back to Town Hall to fetch the car and go home.

Photo by: Cris Pacis

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

Because this was my first experience of Vivid Sydney, in my eyes it was already good. My friends however said Vivid Sydney 2011 was far better than this year’s. They could be right but for a newbie like me, it was way beyond my expectations. I’m looking forward to what 2013 will bring to this event and for sure I’ll be better equipped (good walking shoes, load up on food to last me the night, a good DSLR in hand and I will try not to see it on the last night!).

The Beauty of Medicare

One of the things I appreciate about living in Sydney - or in Australia for that matter, is its established and very beneficial health care system. For a person like me who already has health issues, having a medicare card is like ice cream with a sweet cherry on top.

It's only now that I'm starting to discover how medicare can really help me. When I first migrated to Sydney I was granted a medicare card immediately and since I was ok - health-wise that is - I never got the chance to use it much and my knowledge of medicare was limited to never having to cash out for doctor consultations as well as public hospital admissions. 

This time around it's different. With several health issues already on my plate, since my arrival in June I've been to see my GP close to seven times, seen a cardiologist, an endocrinologist, a podiatrist and a dietician. I've had a couple of blood tests done and I'm booked in for an ultrasound next week. Guess what? No cash outs! Oh I had to cash out when I saw the podiatrist and endocrinologist but I got close to 95% back through medicare. Just to give you an example: a consultation with my GP without medicare costs $40, with medicare - nothing. My insulin (thank goodness I'm already off it) without medicare would cost me $400 (for 5 boxes with 5 pens in each), with medicare - $35. Healthcare is really expensive here, I guess it's expensive everywhere but if a country has an established healthcare system that really and I mean REALLY benefits the taxpayers I say well and good!

The next on my list is taking out private health care insurance to cover my dental consultation and procedures and of course to take advantage of the other benefits a private health care insurance covers (like a private room in a public hospital - it's like a freakin' hotel man!).       

Chocolateria San Churro

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

I've always held the saying "you never forget your firsts" when it came to my life experiences. That's why as much as possible I tried to make my firsts as good as it gets. But as life would have it, the memories of my firsts came with elements of good and not so good. Fret not, this post belongs to the "good!"

Photo by: Ronnie Alonzo

My very first experience with this fried dough pastry called churros was in Darling Harbour (shop 107/109 Harbourside Shopping Centre, Darling Harbour). Since I was with a former student, we ordered 'churros for two' consisting of six churros sprinkled with cinnamon and icing sugar and two dips - milk chocolate and dark chocolate (guess who picked the dark chocolate dip?).

The place itself was very cozy, dark brown was the colour of the place and the centrepiece was the counter filled with decadent chocolate desserts. The air filled with hot chocolate gave a sense of warm, fuzzy feeling - like I'm being hugged. Waiters took our order, served it and left  the tab to be paid at the counter before we left. I wouldn't mind coming back to this place (and maybe order the 'churros fiesta').

As soon as the churros came my mouth was already watering. The dough was crispy on the outside but so soft on the inside. Dipped it in chocolate and boom! Heaven exploded in my mouth. It was like a complete home on a plate.  I think part of what made this first a good one was also the fact that I was with someone whose company I enjoyed a lot. The food , the place, the company plus endless hot guys walking past = one heck of a good "first!"