Hey everyone in a few hours I will be off to a short stop in San Francisco then Australia! I will be posting my jornal live on my blog "i heart australia" while I travel. Check it out! It could become the latest soap opera!

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartaustralia

Hi Richard,
Welcome to Australia!!! I live way over on the other side, but I am sure you will have a great time. Enjoy every minute.
Cheers.

Thanks! I am here now but trying to stay awake.

After reading your blog I suggest when in Sydney you consider a bit of trip to an inner suburb. Choose between Darlinghurst/Paddington, Newtown, Balmain or Glebe. Seem like sort of places that interest you.

Also this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for lunch in Sydney Martin Place betwen 11.00am and 3.00pm is an Italian Food promotion by the Olive Oil mob Bortelli. Maybe worth a look in especially as it is centrally located and you maybe in the area anyway.

In Sydney I think David Jones Food hall is better known than Myer but all close by to each other. Also check Queen Victoria Building, not markets but nice aracade. Also wander through The Strand Arcade just near Myer off the Pitt St Mall. It is lovely, if smallish.

You seem to like good value food so I will also suggest you check out www.cheapeats.com.au.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.

Thanks for an entertaining blog, Richard.

I noticed that some of the prices you've encountered in eateries seem high in relation to the US. There are reasons why this is the case. First, in restaurants, bars etc. tipping is the exception rather than the rule, and the 10% GST (goods & services tax) is included in the price. Second, Australia doesn't have America's huge pool of very-low-wage workers, so overall labour costs are substantially higher and feed into most things you buy. Third, with a population about equivalent to Texas spread over an area the size of the "lower 48", the market is small and infrastructure and transport costs high. This explanation may not ease the pain, but at least you'll know why it's happening. As for 7-11 stores well, like service (gas) stations who sell drinks, groceries etc, they just charge what they can get away with - capitalism 101.

Australian Target stores, like Woolworths and K-Mart, have no connection with US chains of the same name. I know what you mean about that Target store, though - the one time I visited a Woolworths store in the US it took me right back to an Australian Woolworths of 30 years ago. Nowadays Woolworths has morphed into a supermarket chain with a host of subsidiary enterprises like Dan Murphy's liquor stores, service stations and much more. Their rival, Coles-Myer, owns (I think) Target and K-Mart, OfficeWorks, Myer department stores and much more. Australia's small population suits monopolies and duopolies very well.

thanks for that info!