K+S In The City: Day 1- The Arrival & Summit

FINALLY! As many of you know, Miss Kristin Farris (my bestest friend from high school) flew all the way from New York to Sydney to visit me for 10 days (what a good friend, huh?). This is part of the reason why I have been m.i.a. for so long; that and my computer dying. I didn't want to retell our unforgettable adventures together without including photos. Fortunately, Kristin took a ton of her own photos which she shared with me, so now I can proceed with blogging about her trip.  Expect about ten blogs (one for each day) appearing over the next week. Get excited!


Day 1: The Arrival & Summit 

I woke at 6:00 am to go to the airport to meet Kristin after her longggg flight from New York to Sydney. I was so excited I could barely contain myself. I pushed my way through the crowd of people at the arrival gates and stood right against the front bar. I waited eagerly, looking attentively from side to side (passengers were exiting customs from both the left and right) for the glowing red hair, sparkling blue eyes and huge dimples of my best friend. For some reason I kept singing, "She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes" over and over, hoping each time that the next person to round the bend would be Kristin. Twenty minutes or so passed and I was still waiting, now less patiently. I started to wonder whether I had missed her or, even worse, if she was perhaps stuck in customs for some outrageous reason. I started to become anxious. Where was she?! The anticipation was killing me. I strained my neck searching the sea of people for her, but I didn't see her. Suddenly, two arms wrapped themselves around me in a tight embrace. Thrown off-guard I looked to see Kristin embracing me. I was shocked that I didn't see her come down the ramp (I am still baffled by this. I literally did not take my eyes away from the exit) and THRILLED to see her! We hugged like long lost lovers who had been separated for decades, screaming and hugging and crying, making a ruckus in the middle of the airport (many of them were hugs from you Mom). It was better than airport reunions shown in the movies. After three months in Australia, it was surreal to actually see a loved one from home live and in person. I had to touch her repeatedly to convince myself that she was really there. I was overcome with happiness.

After our joyful reunion, Kristin and I made our way back to my apartment. We hopped the train from the airport into the city and then walked, lugging her two suitcases, through the city to my apartment. Unfortunately, I had to work a double at Summit that day (both the lunch and dinner shifts) but Kristin was a great sport about it. She accompanied me to work at 11:00 am and sat in the Orbit Lounge Bar for about two hours, rotating around with the restaurant and looking at the spectacular view of Sydney from above while sipping on some tea. This actually was the perfect morning activity for her: since she was jet lagged and tired from her long flight Kristin was able to sit and relax while still getting aquatinted with all of Sydney.  She also met some of my lovely co-workers and managers who of course adored her.

The Orbit Lounge at Summit

Kristin enjoying the view (jet lagged? psh, you coulda fooled me!)

Sydney Harbor from the Summit

Look Ma! Me Hostessing. This is where I work and what I look like when I'm working.

Hostessing from the back side

More of Sydney from above



The tea that was sipped (and more view)

During my break we grabbed a quick bite to eat. Then I sent Kristin back to my apartment to shower and rest while I returned to work for the evening. I came home around 11:00 pm to find Kristin passed out in my bed, which I expected considering the lengthy flight she had endured. We rested up to prepare for an exciting Day 2 which was dedicated to seeing the iconic sights of Sydney.