Finding our Ferry-Godmother in Manly

G'day! 

It's been another amazing week in Sydney and I've already learned so much about the culture and people but most importantly transportation. 

You see, last week Australia Day was held. For those in the states, the day is essentially the equivalency of the Fourth of July for us Americans. I expected firecrackers, cookouts, and locals loudly chanting"AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE, OI OI OI!". But instead, I walked outside to vacant streets and silence. I and few other students on the trip decided to fully embrace the day in the most Aussie way possible- at the beach. So, we took the quiet train to Circular Quay (where everyone was apparently celebrating) then caught the crowded ferry over to Manly Beach. If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat you know I'm a huge fan of the low-key spot hidden from tourists, and today was no different. My friends and I enjoyed soaking up the sun and getting the sand between our toes for the largest part of the day, then to make sure we made it back to the Quay for the world-famous fireworks show, we headed towards the ferry gates. That's when things took a turn for the worse.

Despite announcements and timetables for the ferry that stated the boats would run until 7, a less than eager transportation employee basically told us "tough luck" when we presented the schedule and pleaded to get back to familiar land. But, to our surprise, a red-headed, outspoken Australian woman backed our story up. "You can't do this! It says so right here!" she yelled waving her phone in the air. Unfortunately, she didn't have any luck either after the worker just shrugged us off. Scared and lost, we just stared at each other until the women looked at us sternly and said "Buses. Follow me.". Since we didn't have much of any idea how to get back we decided to follow the stranger across the street and jump into the same bus as it was just about to drive away. 

On the bus, she was more than helpful asking us where we were headed, offering to take us there to make sure we made it back safe and giving us her name. Even though we had no clue who she was, our blind trust seemed to work out after we stopped at Central Station, the major train system in Sydney. She directed us again to the underground tunnels and instructed us where to go. Thanks to her, our self-proclaimed "Ferry-Godmother", we made it back just in enough time to watch the fireworks over the harbour and fully experience 'Straya Day. 

I guess the moral of this story is to trust strangers and go wherever they tell you to (just kidding)! But really, sometimes you have to take a chance and get lost sometimes to find out where you're going. Even if that means almost getting stuck in the middle of nowhere! 

Stay tuned,
Allie 

p.s. follow me on Instagram @allieclouse to see all my other crazy adventures!