bright lights, big city

It's been a little quiet here on the blog this past week as I've been in the Big Smoke of Sydney.

There's no doubt that Sydney's harbour is one of the most spectacular settings for a city.

The Harbour bridge and the unique architecture of the Opera House alone are enough to spark gob-smacked oohs and ahhs from visitors.

But I really felt like the country girl in the big city: Sydney is ten times the size of Canberra at 3 million people compared with our 300 000. With that many bodies, and all the infrastructure of housing, buses, restaurants, taxis, trucks, businesses, shops, the city has a real buzz.

It's more like a roar. A loud, grating, grinding screech.

Taking the train in to the city centre, I was funneled forward with the surge of the crowd. Greeted by buskers, hawkers, and city dwellers speed walking to work, it was senses overload.

Add to that the heavy cloud of cigarette smoke from the addicted now relegated outside to satisfy cravings, the whole city experience becomes one of overwhelm.

There were moments of reprieve. The Botanic gardens are lovely, and the green space is a true sanctuary nestled between the highrises.

The ferry to Manly beach offers the chance to sink in to blissful contemplation, as sailboats fly by, and the ocean opens up at the headlands.

It's amazing how water calms everything.
Through all this I grew a new appreciation for how difficult it is to craft your own environment in the throng of a busy city. It takes grit and determination to create space for peace and calm.

And yet, all it takes is a shift of focus - to see the beauty rather than the grime, to feel the air rather than smell the smoke. To choose peace rather than conflict.

Sydney offers it all: bright lights, big city, peace and the beach.