Momma comes to visit!

So I picked my mom up at the airport on Sunday morning about about 10:30 am. I actually think she survived the trip better than I did. We trekked up the hill to my apartment with her suitcase and just kind of had a hang out day. She brought me Harry Potter! I was so excited for this since I saw it everywhere here but I couldn't buy it because DVDs run differently here. She also brought some fun presents from home, including girl scout cookes from Stacie. It was so nice to have a little home here! That evening we went to church (Mom thought the music was just bit too loud. haha) and then just went back to the hotel. Since she has about 3 times the channels I do I chose to stay there and hang out and play some rummy before heading back to my apartment and going to bed. Monday morning we got up early and headed into the city. We went to the Sydney Opera House and went on the tour through the building. The history was pretty neat to hear. Apparently they had a contest for the design of the opera house and the winner broke many rules and wasn't supposed to win, and then after he did nobody thought the building would actually be possible. It was incredibly interesting and made me apprecate it even more. After the tour we had an amazing salmon sandwich. After lunch we headed out to Manly beach and walked around that area before heading back. I swear my mom also managed to bring nice weather with her because almost everyday she was here was gorgeous. Tuesday we got up and went to the Easter Show. Don't be fooled by the name. It has nothing to do with Easter other than the fact that it runs around Easter time. It is pretty much the Sydney Fair. It was still fun to walk around see the different booths and animals. I even bought a wool blanket which was perfect since I am starting to get pretty chilly at night! We also got snow cones which was cool because you actually got to kind of make your own sno cone and put whatever flavors you wanted it on it. Oh and this fair is a big deal. I had to explain to Mom that the train is never as packed as it was to get out there. We were kind of squished like sardines most of the time. Most of the time there is plenty of space for me to stretch out on my own seat. I am now very thankful for that! Wednesday we kind of took it easy and just walked around the Botanic Gardens which is probably one of my favorite places in Sydney. It is just so pretty and peaceful. After walking around we went back to the hotel and skyped Dad to make sure he was still alive. After that we did a little shopping for eating some dinner and heading back to the hotel to watch tv before going to bed because Thursday was an early morning! Thursday morning we got up early so we could head out to the Blue Mountains which was incredible. It was probably one of my favorite things so far. We hiked along some pathways in the mountain area and along the edge where you can see beautiful views of the entire valley. At one part of the mountain they have different skyways and railways so you can see the view from above. We chose to go down on the world's steepest railway! It is supposed to be like the one they used in the mining days. It was pretty neat! It also cracked me up a little bit because I sort of felt like in America there would be a few more safety precautions, but they just sort of stuck you in a seat and off you went without a seat belt or anything! There was even Indiana Jones music playing. It was neat! We walked around in the valley which is a rainforest area and then came up on the cable way which gave you an overview of everything. So pretty. After hiking around all day we were thankful for a 2 hour train ride to rest and then heading to bed early. Friday we went to Featherdale which is my favorite zoo like thing yet. Now i haven't been to a lot of zoos in the states but as far as I know they don't have animals wandering everywhere. Featherdale is really neat because there is so much open area where the kangaroos and birds and other animals are wandering around but there is still a place for them to go where people can't go if they just want to eat or sleep or something. anyway it is always cool to see kangaroos and wallabys and koalas so that was fun! I have actually definitely decided I want a pet wallaby. they are just adorable! They also have the cutest faces ever. So whoever wants is definitely welcome to get me that for christmas. (cousin exchange?) anyway after featherdale we went back to the mall to get dinner and found out that good friday is a true holiday here. Almost everything was closed, the only place open was the thai place so we got some fried rice before heading back and going to bed. Saturday we walked around darling harbour and walked through Paddy's market. Paddy's market remind me a lot of the markets in Hawaii where they are kind of closed in, and Saturday it was PACKED. This is the one day where it did actually rain and everyone decided to find shelter by shopping at the markets. After working our way through the crowd for about an hour we decided that was enough and went out to Watsons Bay. Watsons Bay has a bunch of different cliff walks which are so pretty. The color of the water as it crashes into the rocks is incredible. There were also some amazing views of Sydney from here. I love skyline of Sydney with the opera house and the bridge and this was a great angle to see it all. Sunday was Easter! We got up and skyped Dad to once again make sure he was alive and ready to pick up Mom on Monday morning. Then we headed to church, it was a pretty normal service but still pretty great! Then we took one more trip on the trains and headed out to Bondi Beach. Bondi is my favorite beach so I wanted to make sure Mom saw that before she went home. We walked around the markets and along the cliffs a little ways. It was crazy how much was open there on Easter Sunday! I forgot it was Easter most of the day. Haha. After that we headed back and watched more tv in her hotel, well I watched TV and she packed and left the next morning bright and early! It was a great week and very busy. I am so glad my mom got to get the chance to see where I am and I hope she saw enough to get a good feel of Australia! "Holiday" is almost over now so I am working on getting back into "normal" Australia life. Basically this means doing some homework and going to some class and making nightly Wooworth trips for tea and 50 cent cones with my roommates. I can't believe there are only 2 months left. I want to explore the city and the outskirts of Sydney as much as possible in the next 2 months. I guess this means I better finish up my papers so I can move onto more exciting things!