The Furthest I’ve Ever Been From Home

I flew 10,000 miles to Sydney, Australia

The Sydney Opera House. It’s huge in person! Photo by Marie Kester

“I can’t believe this,” I say to my boyfriend, Matt. “People can just casually sit here?”

I’m sitting on the steps of the Sydney Opera House with goosebumps on my skin.

I’ve seen photos of the Opera House online and in books since I was little. To see it in person, and literally sit next to it, is completely surreal.

“This is why I wanted to take you here first,” Matt tells me. His smile is so big that I see dimples appear. “I knew you would love it.”

Matt has visited Australia several times growing up, including a recent trip to Sydney by himself. However, this is the first time we’ve experienced the beautiful city together.

I feel like I am walking through a dream, as though I need to pinch myself to wake up.

The view of Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you look really closely, you can see people climbing on the top portion of the bridge as part of a popular tourist attraction. I was happy to stay on the ground for this trip. Photo by Marie Kester

Though Sydney Harbour is busy with tourists, it’s easy to find a quiet spot on the steps of the Opera House in the shade. From our vantage point, I see tourists taking selfies and laughing at the sheer size of the building.