Yes! We made it! 4 flights, 2 train rides, 1 car ride and 30 hours later, we are here. We arrived last Wednesday (the 7th) and after an hour and a half trying to find the right train, we finally got onto platform 13 and headed out to the blue mountains.
We stayed with some lovely people for the last five days, and today we are at Hillsong waiting to sign our rent contracts and be shuttled to our house. We are living in the same house in a neighborhood called Glenwood, which they say is a 30 minute walk from the church. So we're going to be getting our exercise. The big blessing about this house is that it is fully furnished! I will feel so much more at home in this house because of that. Also, I'm glad we don't have to worry about buying furniture and renting appliances. Whew.
So far everyone in this country has been very nice. We were shocked that no customs employees raised their voices or commanded us to go anywhere- they very gently asked us to move left or right with a smile on their face, and the lady that searched my bags joked with me the whole time. The only gripe I have is that sometimes you have to ask for help instead of an employee offering. For example, in the train station, Robin and I lugged our 8 bags and my guitar all around, with train employees watching us the whole time, and none offered to help. We were clearly exasperated, tired and seriously confused- and they just sat and watched us struggle. However, when I asked people to direct us, they were more than willing to help. Interesting.
So far the food is similar in many ways. Not as much ethnic variety and it is expensive (McDonalds will cost around $8.50 a meal! And the fries and drink are Happy Meal sized), but not incredibly strange. The TV is mostly from the UK or the US, so nothing unfamiliar there. And it is beautiful here. Cold, but beautiful. Pictures and video should be posted to facebook soon.
Your prayers for safe travel were appreciated. Now we just have to go get our papers signed and move into our house! :)
Blessings!
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