The Tourist Photo

This picture is being posted many days after it was actually taken...which leads to into a story about internet.

It is pretty easy to get on the internet here (at least while I am in the city). The IEP office has free internet, as part of my package coming over I got 20 hours of free internet at one of the Youth Hostels, there are cheap internet cafes every other block on the walk to the harbor, and then there are 'expensive' places. You might think that opening internet explorer takes you the a webpage that allows you to send/receive email-so fabulous that there is tons of internet no matter where you go.

But in my brief time here, I have found that there is a direct correlation in the amount you pay for internet and the experience you have. Now free internet is the most frustrating, often leading to one email per hour...usually does not offer any sort of ports for plugging in camera cards or USB storage. Moving onto cheap internet, you may or may not be able to plug in a camera card/storage device but you will surely not be able to use it - however, the sending/receiving/surfing of the internet is heaps easier! Finally, just a day ago, I broke down and went to the 'expensive' place (the place I am now as I type this blog) and was overjoyed to find my camera card actually worked! No need to reformat and lose the pictures I've already taken...no need to buy a new card...no need to retake my TOURIST PHOTO outside the Sydney Opera House! Thanks to the random dude that didn't look like he would steal my camera, I have this shot from the first day I was in town...trying desperately to keep myself awake after a 20 hour plane ride!