h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Really weird thing happened last week. My sister arrived back home after 1 year in Australia, and a couple of hours later that day I am told to go on a short assignment to ... Australia.

So, some 5 days later here I am. In Sydney, Australia, sitting in a hotel still suffering some jetlag and not quite aware what the time is or what I should be doing. I can't really believe it.

I am now further from home than I have ever been in my life. What a strange experience it was, flying over Europe and Asia, night following day following night following day in quick, rapid succession. Dramatic thunderstorms over Pakistan, the omnipresent lights of settlement in India, the vast city of Delhi, breakfast in Bangkok, lucid views of Borneo, and the vast vast bushland of Australia.

Its strange, going so far but yet feeling so near. Sydney is somewhat European in character. Very cosmopolitan, very dynamic, very friendly, very familiar. The people have a sense of humour similar to our own. I haven't seen too many sights as I am on business, but we took a trip by boat to Manly Beach, and I walked by the Opera House last night. I have to say, the quality of food and service is unsurpassable in this city.

The day after tomorrow I pack my bags and return to the green land of Ireland. I hope I can get back here again in the near future, but next time with more time on my hands, and no pressure from work.

CR