SYDNEY
As part of our Journey Abroad class, we had to keep up with this blog. As part of keeping up with this blog, we are asked to comment on a few things in each city we go to. The following will serve not only as a reflection on Sydney but will also (maybe…hopefully) provide a bit more insight into this unique Australia metropolis.
The Built Environment:
Obviously, Sydney is a city at its heart. It is huge. Like any urban environment, it has a business district, an artsier district, a high-end shopping district, great restaurants and hotels, and a very efficient public transportation system. Unlike many urban areas, Sydney proved to be incredibly clean and engaged the natural environment in a way that I have yet to see in any other city. There were trees, parks, green spaces, and gardens throughout the built environment. Obviously, Sydney is known for its architecture-most notably the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. But, there are other excellent examples of architecture scattered about Sydney. We found that the University of Sydney’s campus was filled with great English architecture. Think castles, Harry Potter style. This variation of architecture throughout Sydney made the built environment exceptional. My thesis is on photocatalytic concrete and its uses and advantages. While I didn’t have much time in Sydney this time to attempt to find buildings that used photocatalytic concrete, I did read up on how some pavings and roads in Sydney use this time of concrete admixture that reduces pollutants in the environment.
The Natural Environment:
As previously stated, the city of Sydney did an excellent job of trying to incorporate the natural environment into the built environment. I did notice that everything in Sydney, especially around campus, was beautifully lush and green. There was a multitude of interesting plants, trees, animals, and insects that I have never seen before. When we traveled to the blue mountains in Katoomba, right outside of the city, the natural environment was essentially untouched. Again, it was not only beautiful but we were able to see a number of things in the natural environment that I was totally unfamiliar with.
The Minority Culture & Local Culture
While Sydney did not have a very Aboriginal presence, there was a number of museums and exhibits that focused on Australia’s indigenous ancestry. It is obvious that Australia has finally accepted and attempted to merge the Aboriginal culture within their modern culture. Like most major cities, Sydney was full of people from all over the world. Not only tourists but many citizens in Sydney were from Asia. I noticed a very strong Asian presence throughout the city. The local culture was very fast paced as in most cities. We found that there were more young people than old and that generally there were just as many foreigners in Sydney as there were true Australians. The Australians I encountered were always very warm and generous and the only rude people I ran into were foreigners that worked in Sydney.
Conversation With a Local:
While in Katoomba, right outside of Sydney, I ventured into an antique store. There I met Gene, the owner of the store. Gene was from the Sydney area originally but went to college in Canada. There he studied film and started to make documentaries. He told me of his travels across the United States many years ago and said he remembers South Carolina, particularly Charleston, very well. He commented that Americans were “a friendly lot” and “very hospitable” and also said he loved everywhere he went in the states and found the south eastern states the most beautiful. He was interested in our thoughts on Australia and even provided us some great tips on where we should go when we come back at the end of the month. Overall, he was very friendly and wrote down many addresses and places we should visit while in Australia. One thing is for sure, the Australians are proud of their country and definitely want you to enjoy it just as much as they do.
The following is a video taken as I crossed the harbor from the Zoo to the city.
The following is a video taken as I crossed the harbor from the Zoo to the city.
