Kristin Mack Alnaes: The wonderful world of Oz

Two weeks ago was my last day at Weldon Owen. My three months in Sydney are like a cheerful and educational bubble that I will always treasure. Thank you, Bonnier, for giving others and me such an opportunity!

Sydney has offered me thunderstorms, dust storms and the smell of bushfire. I have explored the world of book production, Aussie gastronomy, not quite gotten used to all the Australian acronyms and abbreviations (I am pretty sure you can do a conversation with merely short forms), enjoyed the views of the city, and most important; I have befriended people with whom I have shared a good laugh.

To anyone visiting Sydney, here is my top 5 list of things I would recommend — in a non-prioritised order:

• Harbour Bridge (a monumental Black Beauty that is impossible to ignore)
• The Sydney Opera (a must-see icon)
• Picnic (never an Aussie without trying that)
• Manly Beach (I prefer Manly rather than more famous Bondi)
• Manly to Spit walk (read my previous blog

In the latest newsletter from Weldon Owen it says, "Healthy living involves not just eating good food, but also strengthening your relationships with others". I would say that the quote summarizes my stay. I have certainly eaten a lot of good food, but more certain are that all the persons that I have met are the key to the success of my stay in Sydney. It is sad saying goodbye to all of you, and yet it is good to know that you are only two or three connecting flights away.

In the tradition of using short forms, Australia is often called Oz, and the country lives up to all the magical expectations that the name implies. Yet more delightful are the Ozzies (Aussies, born there or not). So to all of you: Cheers, and have a good one! I look forward to bumping into you on the streets one day.