Possibly the most amazing place on earth

So, I thought I liked Brazil. And I do. I love Brazil. But I have found a new love: Sydney, Australia.

I arrived last Wednesday morning (Tuesday afternoon back home in Albuquerque). The day I arrived also happened to be the day that a freak dust storm covered Sydney in a blanket of red - the worst dust storm in 70 years! We were about 15 minutes from landing in Sydney and had to turn around and fly up to Brisbane to refuel. We then headed back down to Sydney and were in a holding pattern for a while until the tower gave us the thumbs up to land. I was so praying that we would be able to land! Poor Tiago had to wait 4 hours for me at the airport!

The dust cleared by the afternoon, and I began to be able to see just how beautiful the city is. During this last week I have gotten to see the Featherdale zoo - complete with kangaroos, tazmanian devils, koalas, and other strange animals! Had dinner with friends in the Sydney Tower revolving restaurant - comparable to Seattle's Space Needle. Coogee Beach, (I have never seen such a beautiful deep blue sea as the one here) Manly Beach, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, a couple weekend services at Hillsong church.. and the list goes on. I don't think anything has fallen short of amazing yet!

It's probably a good thing I already have a ticket home.... :o)