So tonight I went to a book store/cafe in Paddington, Berkelouw Books. The book store had a great selection of both new and used books, actually the best selection I've found at any book store yet in Sydney. They also had a great cafe on the second floor with coffee, wine, and reasonably priced food. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed and beside one of the baristas, not pretentious at all. Right when I got there I ordered a coffee but soon after realized I was hungry for food. By the time I asked about it the kitchen was closed so after leaving the book store I took a stroll down Oxford Street in search of some tasty food. The book sellers at the coffee house had given me a few good ideas of places to eat but they were closed. I found a good little Indian take away place where I was able to get a meal for about $9.00, a steal here in Sydney. The food was great and I sat at a table on the street where I got to watch the people go by and read my book. I really liked the area - it was busy with people having a good time but not crazy with parties and loud clubs. I was able to listen to the traffic and the conversations but it was still calm enough for me to read my book. After some other patrons moved in on my table I strolled down to the closest little square and kept reading by street light there. I finally caught the bus back to Bondi where I'm going to finish the last few paragraphs of the book club book, Beautiful Ruins. I've enjoyed the book but to be honest I haven't been very diligent with reading every word. Through many areas of the book I've been distracted, either by eavesdropping on other people, the bright sun making it hard to read, or lost in my own thoughts. There have also been many tense moments in the book where I tend to skip anything that isn't dialogue because I just don't have the patience to not know what happens. I bet it would do me good to re-read the book but its very unlikely that's going to happen until I get back to the states. I'm sending a package home this weekend and this book will likely end up inside. Okay, now to finish off my really long run-on paragraph, I hope ya'll are having a great time back in the states. Tomorrow I've got lots of touristy things planned so be ready for move pics/videos tomorrow. All in all, I think tonight was my favorite night so far this trip. I found the entire evening to be very calming and peaceful. I really enjoy being in a crowded area but sitting back and just observing what is going on. I also have found that I really like bookstores and cafes as I find them very easy to relax in. Not just in the typical sense but also in that I feel very at peace with myself in them, I don't feel like I need to impress anyone or try to be anything I'm not. I really just need to spend more of my time in places like that, drinking coffee, readying my book, and watching the world go by. That's my little paradise. Okay, now I'm really finishing off my run-on paragraph and saying goodnight. Best!
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