I'm Turning Japanese

Oh wait a minute ... I am.

Thus I am compelled to admit that adzuki bean cakes are one of my favorite delectable sweet treats, first discovered on holidays in Japan in 2004. And to my utmost delight, they can also be found in Sydney, at Breadtop in Chatswood.

The adzuki (also spelled azuki) bean, similar to many other crops that originated in the Far East, has existed as sustenance for China, Japan, and Korea for centuries. It surprised me to learn that it is considered the Mercedes of beans, and is one of the largest legume crops in Japan, along with the unflailingly popular and reliable soybean. Primarily it is sweetened and used as a confectionery item, in ice creams or (YUM!) red bean paste as a filling for various pastries. And for those of you out there like me that must convince yourself it is okay to eat one (or a few), may I make it easier for you by saying it's okay!! They are high in protein and low in fat. Yay!

So if you are in search of a unique, tasty, scrumptious little bit of Japan and have a lot of fabulous shopping to do in Chatswood, I can think of no better way to begin your day than a trip to Breadtop.

Sydney is a Bargain!

4 words that I never thought I would utter.

Cost of Living
1.	Moscow
2.	Seoul
3.	Tokyo
4.	Hong Kong
5.	London
6.	Osaka
7.	Geneva
8.	Copenhagen
9.	Zurich
10.	Oslo
10.	New York
12.	St. Petersburg
13.	Milan
14.	Beijing
15.	Paris
15.	Paris
17.	Singapore
18.	Dublin
19.	Sydney
20.	Shanghai

But it's true! A recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald valiantly attempts to illustrate how, in comparison to other desirable and popular metropolitan destinations, Sydney provides surprisingly affordable food, education, and housing, according to a report published by Sydney Chamber of Commerce.

Family and friends ask me about this all the time. "Is it cheaper in Sydney?" "What are home prices like?" "Is gas expensive there?" (I haven't the heart as of yet to gently remind them that the true and accurate name is petrol. But I also haven't figured out Celsius yet. All in time ...)

I, perhaps like many Sydneysiders, was skeptical about such matters. I have filled my car's gas (petrol?) tank, I have dined out on the weekends, I have been apartment and house hunting. None of these activities would have ever lead me to the conclusion that Sydney is relatively cheap on a global scale. Yet, when I seriously contemplate the cost of that precious liter of fuel, or that fresh nigiri sushi, or that highly coveted plot of land supporting a 3 bedroom 2 bath haven of peace and solitude, the skepticism eludes me...

In the States (in California/Bay Area anyway), you would be considered lucky as a Lottery winner to find a habitable home, a fixer-upper, for the equivalent of 1 million Australian dollars. If you want land, and a pleasant neighborhood, and multiple conveniences nearby, tack on another hundred thousand or so. (Note: Recent articles in San Francisco news reveal that although housing sales have declined steadily for 14 straight months, prices are still going UP. (Come on over to Sydney, y'all!!)

Although the price of fuel in the States is cheaper per se, one could speculate that the inherent cost is significantly greater than in Sydney. Looooong commutes in horrendous traffic, an inability to relinquish the once revered but often maligned SUV/Gas Guzzler, and the stress that will inevitably accompany both. Public transport here is far from perfect as may will attest to, but higher prices encourage people to utilize it, thus using less gas and resulting in less incredulity at the idiocy of traffic jams. (Isn't Sydney lookin' GOOOD??)

Sushi rolls are cheap cheap cheap!! Being a very enthusiastic foodie, I have been pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive most common food items are, whether it's a cape seed loaf at the local Baker's Delight, or a liter of milk at Coles (grocery chain), or even produce at Woolworths. Similarly, I have never experienced sticker shock while dining out; rather, the cost of entire meals might actually be cheaper than the arm and leg one might be forced to pay at well known establishments in the good ol' US. (Foodies rejoice!!)

"Sydney has consistently shown itself to be one of the cheapest global cities to live in," claims the Chamber of Commerce report. But even if your desire is just to sample a sliver of life down under, Sydney will amaze, delight, and never disappoint. Stick with the nigiri and you'll be just fine.

Bloody Hell!

Advertisements. Those consciousness-permeating, behavior-altering, consumer-targeting (and sometimes privately amusing) bits of noise or color or pleas to buy any number of useless products that are irritatingly inescapable, now forced upon us before movies and in toilet stalls, and for the right price, tattooed on your body. No lie.

You might be aware that earlier this year Tourism Australia launched an ad campaign bluntly yet cleverly named Where the Bloody Hell Are You? that provoked spasmodic fits of indignation in the UK and Canada, prompting them to ban the televised version of the ad for one reason or another. This might be labeled, um, futile, as the print and cinema ads were not included in this prohibition. Regardless, after apparently effective lobbying by the Australia Tourism Commission, the ban was lifted and all were once again subjected to this profane and offensive ad.

Interestingly enough, it seems that initially Canada's reasoning was that the ad violated its regulations by implying consumption of unbranded alcohol. Subsequently news stories revealed that the word "hell" was not family friendly and thus the ad would not be run during hours in which children might be exposed to such language. (Imagine your 6 year old running about the playground at school announcing "Bloody hell! Bloody hell!" to all of his or her schoolmates ... )

Admittedly, I am sincerely surprised at how much more relaxed advertising is in Australia ... and by relaxed I mean it contains any number of images that I am not used to witnessing within the various forms of media in the States. Although I have always been aware that outside of the US, nudity, sex, and other "risque" advertising elements are less likely to be met with a giggle or perhaps a modicum of displeasure, nowhere has it been made more apparent to me than watching an hour of prime time Aussie TV. Or wandering amongst the mazes of malls in downtown Sydney, like the Generation Y targeted The Galeries Victoria, whose latest ad campaign claims that TGV is "not like the others". Indeed. The images of tattooed cleavage, "love bites" and multi-studded tongue were enough to persuade me! Not that I really need persuading. Rather, it's refreshing to encounter attitudes and dispositions that treat me as a thinking, intelligent adult. Besides, see this bum? Enough said.