City to Surf: Riding Sydney’s 389 Bus

Here is my latest post for Untapped Cities. A tour of Sydney on a public bus route...

Going Bananas for Bananas

Banana's priced $14.98 a kilo at a Sydney supermarket

I never imagined that bananas would be a scare commodity. I use to have a banana for breakfast every morning but since Cyclone Yasi, last year, the cold winter and the vast destruction of  Queensland's banana farms, banana prices have soared in Australia. A couple of months ago I had to reevaluate and ultimately refuse a banana purchase when I realized I was about to pay seventeen dollars for seven bananas! Since then, the idea of a banana has become more of a fantasy than a reality. 

Just to put it into perspective, on Fresh Direct, New York's amazing e-grocer and delivery service, yellow bananas currently cost 79 cents a pound  (1 pound = .45 kilo) as opposed to the $14.98 a kilo price tag, bananas have reached Down Under. That is a little less than $1.58 a kilo, a $13.40 difference. But almost one year later, although recovery is still underway, banana prices are beginning to drop, almost by half the price per kilogram. 

It seems that soon I may be able to enjoy my morning banana again...

Off the Grid, Exploring the Sydney Laneway

Peri(pheral)scopes by Heidi Axelsen, Hugo Moline and Adriano Pupilli, Skittle Lane, Sydney

Here is my latest post for Untapped Cities. If you are in Sydney, make sure to check out the Laneway Art Program , as part of Sydney’s Art & About Festival (until January 31, 2012).

Happy Anniversary!

Photo of my Qantas TV screen showing our landing into Sydney on October 5th, 2010 (I know, slightly neurotic)

Today marks my one year anniversary with Sydney. I cannot believe how time flies! I still feel like a tourist. Lots more to learn and discover...

Footy

Congratulations to the Geelong Cats (Kate's dad and brother's team) for winning the Australian Rules Football (AFL) Grand Final. No other day better exposes the sensitive side of Australian men...