Trying to get in the Christmas Spirit in Sydney

This is so bizarre being in the Southern hemisphere for Christmas.  The last few days here have been bloody hot.  Today the weather feels like 102 degrees out there.  We have no AC in the house, so it has been a little rough.  Literally just lay in bed with a fan on high and sometimes even put ice packs in bed to try and cool off.  Aram got super sunburnt the other day when we went to the beach, so he is miserable! (He will now be wearing sunscreen from now on...)

It's been hard trying to get into the Christmas spirit with it being so warm.  We did put up a Christmas tree a few weeks ago.  Our neighborhood had a Christmas party; it was so hot during the day (easily mid 90s), and then by the time we got to the end of the block, a massive thunderstorm came through and everyone was huddled under umbrellas and we were trying to keep the food from getting wet.

We've gone around looking at Christmas lights and looking in the stores for displays.  It is weird seeing fake eucalyptus trees with lights done up here.  Not too many pine trees!  We saw some real trees for sale, but they weren't looking too good.

Fake Eucalyptus Christmas tree

At St Mary's Cathedral, there was a light show on the front of the church.  It was pretty cool to see.  They definitely love their light shows here. There are also people galore out and about.  I guess that's one thing when the weather is nice, everyone is out and about.

Watching the light show with my best friend 

Street blocked off for Christmas..actually where the new light rail will go.

Concrete blocks with "wrapping paper" over them.

Affogato...so good, but I can't sleep for the rest of the night.

Christmas decorations in the Arcade

Christmas carols

Top portion of the tree in the Queen Victoria Building

Looking down...still can't see the bottom

Seeing Santa in a flower hut

"base of the tree"

Tree in Martin's Place

So overall they do a pretty good job of Christmas decorations, but it just feels off.  It was also challenging to listen to Christmas music with it being so warm, and I love Christmas music.  When trying to plan Christmas dinner, we were looking at 4th of July recipes.  Didn't want to have to use the oven if we could avoid it!!

Another post will be coming about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day....and yes, I know I'm late on these posts.  My bad, but it was just so darn hot!

xoxo, Ann and Aram