Sydney's Nightlife

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Oxford Street, the heart of Sydney's gay area, buzzes with cafes and clubs (gay, straight and mixed) while the established red-light district of Kings Cross continues to cater for the seedier side of life. The Rocks was the original drinking heart of the city and in the early 20th century it was the raucous setting for the 'six o'clock swill', when workers would drink as much as possible before the pubs shut at 1800. Today the period pubs have been cleaned up for the huge tourist clientele and drinks at the harbourside terraces are expensive but worth it for the views.

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Sydney's night owls are predominantly designer clad. Bouncers at the more fashionable clubs enforce strict dress codes and ID checks. The days of the six o'clock swill are long gone - Sydney's licensing hours are extremely relaxed. At any hour of the day or night, someone somewhere is serving drinks to anyone over the legal age of 18.

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For up-to-date listings, free weekly entertainment guides Drum Media (website: http://www.drummedia.com.au/) and 3D World (website: http://www.threedworld.com.au/) are available at most city-centre bookshops and record stores, as is the gay and lesbian Sydney Star Observer (website: http://www.ssonet.com.au/). The arts and entertainment magazine Time Out (website: http://www.timeoutsydney.com.au/) has recently launched in Sydney and is an excellent guide to what's on in the city. The Sydney Morning Herald (website: http://www.smh.com.au/) also carries a comprehensive entertainment guide, 'Metro', in the Friday edition.

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Bars: The Establishment,

252 George Street, lives up to its name as Sydney's de rigueur after-work drinking place. Chic and enormous, it incorporates the exclusive Hemmesphere cocktail lounge. Middle Bar, 383 Bourke Street, plays host to many beautiful young things. East Village, 234 Palmer Street, offers a sophisticated take on the classic Sydney pub, as does the beautiful art deco Civic, 388 Pitt Street.

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ECQ,

69 Macquarie Street, has stunning views of the Harbour Bridge - and equally as stunning prices. The Victoria Room, 235 Victoria Street, fills its cavernous space with British colonial décor and sophisticated drinkers. The Colombian, corner of Oxford Street and Crown Street, offers the best of both worlds: straight upstairs and gay downstairs.

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The Stonewall,

175 Oxford Street, is another good place to start a gay night out in Sydney - there are DJs, drag shows and friendly faces galore. The Darlo Bar, 306 Liverpool Street, the Green Park Hotel, 360 Victoria Street, and the Bank Hotel, 324 King Street, are where the younger inner-city crowd converge for pool and beer.

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Clubs: Sydney takes clubbing very seriously. It is always safer to dress up rather than down and be prepared to queue. Home, Cockle Bay Wharf (website: http://www.homesydney.com/), has four different sections featuring funk, techno, two-step and disco. Tank, 3 Bridge Lane, is part of The Establishment complex, 252 George Street (see above). The Chinese Laundry, 1 Slip Street, combines a blistering sound system with mock East Asian décor.

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Sydney's well-connected society clubbers go to Cave, Pirrama Road, while the old stand-by, Q Bar, 44 Oxford Street, is a reliable choice for mid-week clubbing. Other notable venues include Soho, 171 Victoria Street (website: http://www.sohobar.com.au/), and The World Bar, 24 Bayswater Road (website: http://www.theworldbar.com/). The gay dance scene revolves around Arq, 16 Flinders Street (website: http://www.arqsydney.com.au/).

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Live Music: The Hopetoun Hotel, 416 Bourke Street, and the Annandale Hotel, 17 Parramatta Road (website: http://www.annandalehotel.com.au/), are the best centrally located venues for up-and-coming bands, while leading Australian and international acts perform at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Harbour Street (website: http://www.sydentcent.com.au/), the Metro, 624 George Street (website: http://www.metrotheatre.com.au/), and the Enmore Theatre, 130 Enmore Road (website: http://www.enmoretheatre.com.au/). Jazz fans can find world-class performers at the Basement, 29 Reiby Place (website: http://www.thebasement.com.au/).

Half Day and Day Excursions from Sydney

Excursions
For a Half Day.Manly:
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New South Wales has Manly Beach to thank for its sea and surf culture for it was here, in 1902, that newspaper editor William Gocher first defied the state law against public bathing. The esplanade is now populated with rollerbladers, joggers and cyclists, while the beaches are crowded with swimmers, sunbathers and surfers. A short ferry ride from Circular Quay, Manly (located 13km/8 miles northeast of the city centre) can also be reached on foot via the Manly Scenic Walkway from Spit Bridge in the city. The walk can take up to four hours but offers some of Sydney's most breathtaking views, as well as skirting some of its most exclusive homes. The Manly Visitors Information Bureau, North Steyne, Manly (tel: (02) 9976 1430; website: http://www.manlyaustralia.com.au/), can provide further information.
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For a Whole Day:
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Blue Mountains: A 90-minute drive west from the city, along the Great Western Freeway, the dramatic, forest scenery of the Blue Mountains National Park is a major attraction for nature lovers. The cool eucalyptus (gum tree) forests harbour numerous bush walks and radiate a blue haze that gives the area its name. More active visitors might like to go abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking or horseriding. The area's most famous attraction is the Three Sisters - a geological feature named after an Aboriginal legend. The easiest way for visitors to see the Blue Mountains is by car, although there are hourly trains to Katoomba, the main gateway for the mountains, from Central Station. Blue Mountains Tourism (tel: 1300 653 408, in Australia only; website: http://www.bluemts.com.au/) can provide further information. .Hunter Valley: One of Australia's premier wine-producing districts, beginning approximately 100km (62 miles) north of Sydney, ‘The Hunter' has more than 70 vineyards. Although busiest during the harvest months of March and April, most vineyards remain open to the public on a daily basis and offer a range of tours, restaurants and accommodation. Two of the more popular vineyards are Lindemans (one of the largest Australian wine companies) and Rothbury Estate, famous for its concerts throughout the March/April Harvest Festival, which is an annual celebration of Australian culture, gastronomy and wine. A two-hour drive from Sydney, Cessnock is the gateway to Hunter Valley and Pokolbin, 5km (3 miles) to the north, is home to its main visitor centre. Alternatively, trains from Sydney travel to the neighbouring city of Newcastle (journey time - approximately 3 hours). Wine Country Tourism (tel: (02) 4990 0900; website: http://www.winecountry.com.au/) can provide full details of tours.

Sydney City Map

Learning in The News XXIII - for Advanced Business English Students

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COVER STORY: THE PRESIDENT’S INBOX

The World That Awaits
By Richard N. Haass NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE
Published Oct 25, 2008
From the magazine issue dated Nov 3, 2008
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MEMORANDUM.TO: The president-electRE: Foreign Policy
FROM: Richard N. Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations
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There are only two and a half months—76 days, to be precise— between Election Day and your Inauguration, and you will need every one of them to get ready for the world you will inherit. This is not the world you've been discussing on the trail for the last year or more: campaigning and governing could hardly be more different. The former is necessarily done in bold strokes and, to be honest, often approaches caricature. All candidates resist specifying priorities or trade-offs lest they forfeit precious support. You won, but at a price, as some of the things you said were better left unsaid. Even more important, the campaign did not prepare the public for the hard times to come.
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There will be days when you will wonder why you worked so hard to get this job. What will make it so difficult is not just all that awaits, but the constraints that will limit what you can actually do. When George W. Bush became president nearly eight years ago the world was largely at peace, the U.S. military was largely at rest, oil was $23 a barrel, the economy was growing at more than 3 percent, $1 was worth 116 yen, the national debt was just under $6 trillion and the federal government was running a sizable budgetary surplus. The September 11 attacks, for all they cost us as a nation, increased the world's willingness to cooperate with us. You, by contrast, will inherit wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, tired and stretched armed forces, a global struggle with terrorism, oil that has ranged as high as $150 a barrel, a weaker dollar (now worth 95 yen), substantial anti-American sentiment, a federal budget deficit that could reach $1 trillion in your first year, a ballooning national debt of some $10 trillion and a global economic slowdown that will increase instability in numerous countries.
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You will take office two decades after the end of the cold war. What some dubbed the unipolar moment is history. Economic, political and military power is held by many hands, not all of which belong to states, not all of which are benign. This does not mean the United States is weak. To the contrary, this country is still the single most powerful entity in the world. But the United States cannot dominate, much less dictate, and expect that others will follow. There are limits to U.S. resources; at the same time the country has serious vulnerabilities. Enron, Abu Ghraib, Katrina and the financial crisis have taken their toll: America's ability to tell others what to do, or to persuade them through example, is much diminished.
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Against this backdrop, you will face specific challenges. Many are to be found in the greater Middle East, the part of the world where every president beginning with Jimmy Carter has stubbed his toe. Consider Iraq, the issue that most dominated the foreign policy of Bush. There will be ample time for historians to sort out the wisdom (or lack thereof) of embarking on this costly war of choice. The priorities now are to gradually reduce U.S. force presence, back the integration of Iraq's Sunni minority into national institutions, persuade Arab states to help the government and resume a dialogue with Iran on Iraq's future. The good news is that many of the arrows in Iraq are finally pointing in the right direction and it will not dominate your presidency. The bad news is that you know you are in for a rough ride when Iraq is the good news.
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The arrows are pointing in the opposite direction in Afghanistan. The Taliban is gaining ground; security is deteriorating; drugs and corruption are rampant. More U.S. and NATO troops are needed, but any increase will need to be temporary, given rising Afghan nationalism. The chief priority should be training Afghanistan's Army and police. Regular talks are needed with those with a stake in the country's future, including Iran, Pakistan, India, China, Russia and NATO. The government should be encouraged to meet with Taliban leaders willing to accept a ceasefire. Counterdrug efforts, while essential, should be targeted and low-key, lest an alienated populace grow more so.
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It may be better to view Afghanistan and Pakistan as one problem, since Pakistan provides sanctuary for the Taliban. Pakistan's government appears unable or unwilling to control its own territory. The country's return to democracy is at best incomplete and fragile; its economy has slowed. The world's second-most-populous Muslim nation—home to 170 million people, several dozen nuclear weapons and many of the world's terrorists, including Al Qaeda—is failing. Promised assistance should continue to flow; additional economic and military aid should be provided to bolster the government, but only if Islamabad accepts conditions on its use. Military incursions targeting terrorists need to be limited to those instances where there is a high likelihood of accomplishing something truly substantial.
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Iran constitutes another challenge where the campaign generated more heat than light. If Tehran continues its current progress in enriching uranium, early on in your presidency you will be presented with the choice of attacking Iran (or green lighting an Israeli attack) or living with a nuclear Iran. Yogi Berra said that when you approach a fork in the road, take it. I respectfully disagree. Neither option is attractive. A military strike may buy some time, but it won't solve the problem. It will, however, lead to Iranian retaliation against U.S. personnel and interests in Iraq and Afghanistan, and much higher oil prices—the last thing the world needs, given the financial crisis. An Iran with nuclear weapons or the capacity to produce them quickly would place the Middle East on a hair trigger and lead several Arab states to embark on nuclear programs of their own.
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I would suggest that we work with the Europeans, Russia and China to cobble together a new diplomatic package to present to the Iranians. Ideally, Iran would be persuaded to give up its independent enrichment capability or, if it refused, to consider accepting clear limits on enrichment and intrusive inspections so that the threat is clearly bounded. We should be prepared to have face-to-face talks with the Iranians, without preconditions. In general, it is wiser to see negotiations not as a reward but as a tool of national security.
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It will be important, too, to ratchet up diplomacy vis-à-vis the Israelis and Palestinians. The current impasse threatens Israel's future as a secure, democratic, prosperous and Jewish state. It breeds radicalism among Palestinians and throughout the Arab and Muslim worlds, and is a major source of anti-Americanism. What is more, time is working against us: physical and political developments will only make it harder to achieve a two-state solution.
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We cannot solve this problem quickly—those Palestinians who are willing to compromise for peace are too weak, and those who are strong are not willing to compromise—but we can bolster Palestinian moderates who, over time, could be partners for Israel. Sooner rather than later you should be prepared to articulate your vision of a fair and stable peace, press Israel to stop settlement activity and push Arab governments and the European Union to do more to raise Palestinian living standards. Hamas should be told that abiding by a ceasefire is a must if it is to participate in any Palestinian election or diplomatic effort.
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A New Strategic FrameworkOther challenges are equally urgent: contending with a nuclear North Korea; working to moderate a resentful and resurgent Russia; brokering peace between Israel and Syria; and taking steps to stabilize those African countries beset by civil strife. But at the same time, it's important not to lose sight of the fundamentals. Unlike most previous eras, in which the dominant threat was posed by a great-power rival, ours is the era of globalization, in which flows of just about anything—from people, dollars and drugs to arms, greenhouse gases and viruses—move across borders in great volume and with great velocity. Many of these flows represent real threats. The problem is that global arrangements have not kept pace.
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The economic institutions created in the wake of World War II (the IMF in particular) require updating. We similarly lack machinery for dealing with climate change, energy security, the spread of nuclear materials, disease and the threat of terrorism. Dean Acheson, Harry Truman's secretary of state, immodestly but accurately titled his memoir "Present at the Creation." Your goal should be no less ambitious: to design and implement a foreign policy that closes the gap between this era's major challenges and the international architecture and rules meant to manage them.
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America cannot do this by itself; the challenges of this era have no single national origin and no national solution. Multilateralism is the only realistic way ahead. The operative term is "integration." We need to bring other major powers into the design and operation of the world—before the century is overwhelmed by the forces globalization has unleashed. This will require sustained consultations followed by sustained negotiations. (This poses no problem, as our diplomats are much less stretched than our soldiers.) It will also require American leadership. There is a real opportunity to make progress: many of today's powers understand that they will either cooperate with one another or pay a steep price.
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People MatterThere will be time to do detailed interagency reviews of policies toward these and other challenges. Let me make a few general recommendations. First, people matter. Very little about history is inevitable. You have talked about a bipartisan administration, and should make this happen. The next four years promise to be difficult, and you do not want to try to lead the country with narrow majorities.
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One of these people deserves special mention. The vice president should be your counselor, a minister without portfolio, and not a cabinet secretary with a specific set of responsibilities. You need someone with an administration-wide perspective who can tell you what you need to hear, even if it isn't always what you want to hear. The one person around you (other than your spouse) you cannot fire is best placed to do this. That said, you should reduce the size and role of the VP's staff. The interagency process is sufficiently sclerotic without adding yet another national-security bureaucracy to the mix.
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Avoid big reorganizations. The last two—Homeland Security and the intelligence community—have been less than total successes. Your inbox is sufficiently daunting without the added strain of reorganization; it is rarely a good idea to remodel the operating room when the patient is on the table. The one exception may be energy policy, which has never received the attention it merits. Energy policy is national-security policy
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Facing Up to FactsSpeaking of energy, the current situation is untenable. We are channeling vast numbers of dollars to some of the world's most unsavory governments, strengthening them while leaving ourselves vulnerable to supply interruptions and price fluctuations.
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Prices have come down recently as demand has dropped off, but recession cannot become our energy policy. Substantial research demonstrates that we can reduce consumption without slowing economic growth. Your campaign didn't talk much about conservation or efficiency, but the greatest potential for making a difference over the next four years is just this. I am talking not about carbon taxes but rather the setting of energy standards for what this country produces and does. We can offer tax breaks and subsidies as long as they are linked to greater efficiency and "greenness." We should devote resources to the development of alternatives, although resources will be in short supply and developing alternatives will take time.
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Trade is also worth talking about now, even though it was hardly mentioned after the Ohio primary. By the time you take office it will have been 19 months since the president enjoyed trade promotion authority, which gives him the ability to negotiate complex multilateral trade agreements by limiting Congress to a straight up-or-down vote. Several bilateral free-trade agreements are languishing at considerable cost to our economy and to our relationship with friends such as Colombia.
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It will be important to resurrect your ability to negotiate and conclude trade pacts. A new global trade agreement offers the best noninflationary, anti-recession tool for the American and global economies. Estimates are that a new global agreement could add as much as 1 percent growth each year to the U.S. and world economies. Trade brings an added benefit: it is an engine of development for poor countries. Access to the American market can provide jobs and wealth. This will be especially important given that we are unlikely to have as much money for foreign aid.
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I'd like to think the arguments in favor of open trade would carry the day, because on the merits they do. The most successful sector of our economy right now consists of firms that export. Imports give consumers choice and keep inflation low. Job losses tend to be tied to technological change, not imports or offshoring. But I've learned that facts are only part of the story in politics. The only way you are likely to win a debate on trade is if you do more to cushion individual workers from the vagaries of modern global life. This means tax-deferred retraining and education accounts, and a health-care option not linked to jobs. So if you are going to press for health care, I suggest you link it to trade.
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Trade is not the only area where America needs to make sure we stay open for business. We must encourage others to continue to recycle their dollars here—in part by buying and investing in American companies. We require $2 billion a day just to stay afloat. Blocking legitimate investments can also trigger crises in important bilateral relationships. Such protectionism must be resisted at all costs.
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You ran hard against Bush in this campaign, and understandably so, given his historically low approval ratings. But you should be wary of distancing yourself too far from his administration. This is especially important because Bush already distanced himself from himself in his second term. Remarkably, he leaves behind a good deal you can build on: programs to combat HIV/AIDS around the world, diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, a strategic breakthrough with India, important consultative arrangements with China and a good relationship with Brazil, increasingly the anchor of a centrist block of South American countries.
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One area, however, where you would be wise to put some distance between yourself and "43" involves democracy. America does not have the ability to transform the world. Nor do we have the luxury. We need to focus more on what countries do than on what they are. This is not an argument for ignoring human rights or setting aside our interest in promoting democracy. But we should go slow and focus on building its prerequisites—the checks and balances of civil society and constitutionalism—and not rush elections or impose political change through force. Bush was right when he called for a humble foreign policy. You should practice what he preached.
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Let me close where I began. This is a sobering moment in American history. You begin with a good deal of popular support, but mandates must be replenished. I suggest you think of the Oval Office as a classroom, and explain to the American people what we need to accomplish and what it will require. Some 21st-century version of the fireside chat is called for. My reading of things is that the American people are ready to be leveled with. Once the campaign is over, let the leveling begin.
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Vocabulary:

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Inbox: noun [C] (US in-box)a flat open container where letters and other documents are put when they arrive in a person's office and where they are kept until the person has time to deal with them (caixa de entrada)
to get ready: verb to prepare
inherit: verb [T] to begin to have responsibility for a problem or situation that previously existed or belonged to another person
trail: noun [C] a path through the countryside, often made or used for a particular purpose, a path
hardly be: adverb - with effort or difficulty
former: adjective [before noun] of or in an earlier time; before the present time or in the past
trade-offs: noun - [C usually singular] a situation in which you accept something bad in order to have something good
lest: conjunction LITERARY in order to prevent any possibility that something will happen
forfeit: verb [T] to lose the right to do or have something because you have broken a rule
Even more: adverb - (easier explained in Portuguese) até mais
the hard times to come: adjective - difficult to bear or endure (tempos dificeis por vir)
constraints: noun [C] something which controls what you do by keeping you within particular limits
actually: adverb - in fact or really
national debt: noun [C usually singular] (US also Public Debt) the total amount of money that is owed by a country's government
budgetary: adjective – from Budget : the official statement that a government makes about how much it will collect in taxes and spend on public services in the future
surplus: noun [C or U], adjective (an amount which is) more than is needed
willingness: noun [S or U] [+ to infinitive]from: willing adjective - be willing (to do sth) to be happy to do something if it is needed
struggle: verb [I] to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something
federal budget: The budget for the federal government. The federal budget of a country is determined yearly, and forecasts the amount of money that will be spent on a variety of expenses in the upcoming year.
ballooning: verb [I] to quickly increase in size, weight or importance
slowdown: noun [C] a reduction in speed, activity or the rate that things are produced
take office: verb - assume an office, duty, or title; "When will the new President take office?"
cold war: Guerra Fria (easier explained in Portuguese)
dubbed: Past tense of the verb Dub - verb [T + noun] -bb- to give something or someone a particular name, especially describing what you think of them
unipolar: adjective - of or having only one magnetic or electric pole, describing a movement (neste texto com o sentido de um movimento unilateral)
entity: noun [C] FORMAL something which exists apart from other things, having its own independent existence
taken their toll: noun - a grievous or ruinous price ; especially : cost in life or health
backdrop: noun - [S] the general situation in which particular events happen
challenges: noun [C or U] (the situation of being faced with) something needing great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully and which therefore tests a person's ability
Middle East: Oriente Médio (easier explained in Portuguese)
stubbed his toe: expression: to make a mistake (him in the article), flubbed-up,
sort out: verb [I or T] to put a number of things in an order or to separate them into groups
wisdom: noun [U] the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments
lack: noun lack of sth the absence of something or when there is not enough of it
thereof: adverb FORMAL of or about the thing just mentioned
costly: adjective - expensive
arrows: noun [C] a sign consisting of a straight line with an upside down V shape at one end of it, which points in a particular direction, and is used to show where something is
in for a rough ride: expression: is going to face difficult times
rampant: adjective (of something bad) getting worse quickly and in an uncontrolled way
low-key: adjective describes an event that is quiet and without a great show of excitement
unwilling: adjective not willing
to flow: verb [I] (especially of liquids, gases or electricity) to move in one direction, especially continuously and easily
to bolster: verb [T] to support or improve something or make it stronger
likelihood: noun [U] the chance that something will happen
accomplishing: Present Continuous Tense of the verb to accomplish - verb [T] to finish something successfully or to achieve something
military strike: military attack (ataque militar)
lead to: phrasal verb If an action or event leads to something, it causes that thing to happen or exist
cobble: from the noun cobble: a rounded stone used on the surface of an old-fashioned road in this text used with the sense of “pavimentar - figurativamente”.
reward: noun [C] something given in exchange for good behaviour or good work, etc
to ratchet up: phrasal verb [M] to increase/decrease something over a period of time
vis-à-vis: French expression nm+adv frente a, defronte. • adv face a face, cara a cara
breeds: verb [T] to cause something to happen, usually something bad
throughout: preposition, adverb in every part, or during the whole period of time
to achieve: verb [T] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim, especially after a lot of work or effort
to compromise: noun [C or U] an agreement in an argument in which the people involved reduce their demands or change their opinion in order to agree
rather than: adverb - in preference to; instead of
settlement: noun - a new colony, or a place newly colonized
beset: adjective [after verb] troubled (by); full (of)
civil strife: noun [U] FORMAL violent or angry civil disagreement
to lose sight: to forget about an important idea or fact because you are thinking too much about other things
disease: noun [C or U] (an) illness of people, animals, plants, etc., caused by infection or a failure of health rather than by an accident
overwhelmed: adjective - very great or very large
sustained: Past Tense of to sustain - verb [T] to cause or allow something to continue for a period of time
pay a steep price: expression – pagar um alto preço por… (easier explained in Portugues)
sclerotic: adjective SPECIALIZED - FIGURATIVE DISAPPROVING
Avoid: verb [T] to stay away from someone or something, or prevent something from happening or not allow yourself to do something
Daunting: adjective making you feel slightly frightened or worried about your ability to achieve something
Untenable: adjective FORMAL - describes a theory or argument that cannot be supported or defended against criticism
Channeling: Present Continuous Form of the Verb to channel - verb [T] -ll- or US USUALLY -l- to direct something into a particular place or situation
come down: phrasal verb - INFORMAL If a price or a level comes down, it becomes lower
dropped off: (DECREASE) phrasal verb If the amount, number or quality of something drops off, it becomes less
tax breaks: noun a tax deduction that is granted in order to encourage a particular type of commercial activity [syn: tax benefit]
Trade: noun [U] the activity of buying and selling, or exchanging, goods and/or services between people or countries
Wealth: noun [U]a large amount of money or valuable possessions that someone has
foreign aid: noun [U] the help that is given by a richer country to a poorer one, usually in the form of money or food
to be tied to: estar preso a – neste texto figurativamente (easier explained in Portuguese)
offshoring: away from or at a distance from the coast
tax-deferred: A situation in which taxes will have to be paid at some point in the future, but they are not paid now. An example of a tax-deferred investment is an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), whose earnings accumulate tax free. When the funds are withdrawn after the IRA owner reaches age 59⁄, taxes have to be paid on the withdrawn funds.
health care: NOUN The prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions.
to stay afloat: adjective - free of major trouble
Remarkably: adjective unusual or special and therefore surprising and worth mentioning
Breakthrough: noun [C] an important discovery or event that helps to improve a situation or provide an answer to a problem
setting aside: phrasal verb [M] If a judge or court sets aside a previous decision or judgment, they state that it does not now have any legal effect, usually because they consider it to have been wrong
humble: adjective not proud or not believing that you are important
preached: Verb Tense of to preach - verb [T] to try to persuade other people to believe in a particular belief or follow a particular way of life
sobering: adjective making you feel serious or think about serious matters
replenished: Past Tense of to replenish - verb [T] FORMAL to fill something up again
to accomplish: verb [T] to finish something successfully or to achieve something
to be leveled with: to speak truthfully and openly

Sightseeing in Sydney

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Overview
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Vast, vibrant Sydney is the epitome of the Australian surf, sand and sun cliché. Carved out of sandstone headlands with golden beaches and world-class surf, this sun-soaked city offers the ultimate in outdoor living..At the heart of the city is the harbour, arguably one of the most beautiful waterways in the world, where the curves of the Sydney Opera House shimmer in the sunlight and dozens of white sails float beneath the Harbour Bridge..The state capital of New South Wales, Sydney is Australia's oldest and largest city and is regarded by many (particularly Sydneysiders) as the country's capital in all but name. It's a thriving centre for both business and the arts with a buzzing cafe culture, a vibrant nightlife, and a restaurant scene fit to rival the most gastronomic destinations..The Sydney experience is essentially a physical one. Semitropical summers and mild winters mean that days spent indoors are rare. Take a dip in the ocean at Bondi Beach or stretch your legs along the coastal walk to Coogee. Learn to surf at Manly, swim laps at Icebergs pool, kayak around the harbour, catch some rays along the northern beaches or go bush in one of the national parks..But despite what its neighbours might tell you, there is more to Sydney than it's good-looking exterior. The museums, galleries, theatres and concert venues should satisfy those seeking more cerebral pursuits. History buffs will enjoy The Rocks, where Sydney's sordid beginnings as a British penal colony remain, and further downtown grand Victorian structures sit side by side modern monoliths in glass and steel..Sydney's Aboriginal heritage has, for the most part, been eclipsed by Australia's white history. Although Sydney has the highest Aboriginal population of any Australia city, a stroll around the city streets offers little evidence of their existence and they remain very much an invisible minority..The city's busy social calendar means that at almost any time of year, a festival is underway. The summer months host numerous sporting events as well as film, art and theatre festivals but pick any month of the year and you're almost guaranteed to witness some sort of celebration..Locals have long argued that Sydney is the city that has it all but it was only following the triumphant hosting of the 2000 Olympic Games that the rest of the world sat up and took notice. Now Sydney is a ‘must see' on many a traveller's itinerary and once you've visited, you'll understand exactly why. .
SIGHTSEEING IN SIDNEY
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Who can argue with the claim that Sydney has the most magnificent harbour in the world? Its intricate coastal geography of headlands and secluded bays is the stunning setting for two of the modern world's most ambitious architectural achievements - the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

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It's not surprising then that much of the tourist attention is focused on the harbour and its surrounds. The Rocks forms the historical backbone of the city and a day spent wandering these old-world streets is a must. Circular Quay buzzes throughout the day with visitors, buskers and locals hopping on and off the ferries on their way to and from work.

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But step away from this and you'll see that there is more to Sydney than just the harbour. The central business district (CBD) holds remains of its Victorian past with grand banking chambers and intricate shopping arcades. Further afield, the areas of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Paddington are cosmopolitan communities, each with their own distinct feel and character.

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Surry Hills is a colourful neighbourhood lined with cafes and boutiques, while Darlinghurst comes alive every March for the world-famous Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Paddington has a more genteel feel, with its fashionable restaurants, galleries, antique shops and restored Victorian terraces complete with wrought-iron lace verandas. Another area worth exploring is Kings Cross. Although traditionally renowned for its red light district it boasts a bustling cafe society and some excellent restaurants.

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Tourist Information
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Sydney Visitor Centre

Corner Argyle and Playfair Streets, The Rocks or 33 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour

Tel: (02) 9240 8788 or 1800 067 676, in Australia only.

Website: http://www.sydneyvisitorcentre.com/

Opening hours: Daily 0930-1730.
Passes
The All Day Pass & Tower & Aquarium package from Captain Cook Cruises incorporates entry to Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower and a hop-on, hop-off harbour cruise departing from Circular Quay. Tickets are available from any of these attractions.

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The Darling Harbour Super Ticket, available at the Sydney Aquarium, includes entry to the Sydney Aquarium and the Chinese Garden, Matilda Rocket Harbour cruise, a monorail ride, a meal at the Aqua Bar and Grill, discount entry to the Powerhouse Museum and IMAX Theatre and discount travel on the People Mover train.

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Combined ferry and attraction admission passes are available from the Sydney Ferries ticket office at Circular Quay. For example, the Zoo Pass includes return ferry and bus transport to Taronga Zoo, entry to the zoo and an aerial cable ride.
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Sydney Opera House

In April of 1966, the architect of the Sydney Opera House, Jørn Utzon, left Australia, never to return. His grand architectural vision was only half completed, but arguments with the state government over the spiralling cost of the project meant that other architects were employed to complete the interior complex of auditoria, theatres, restaurants and bars. In spite of its compromised genesis, the building instantly became a world icon upon opening in 1973. Utzon has never seen the completed building but in recent years has collaborated on a A$70 million interior refurbishment (due for completion in 2009) that will bring the building closer to his original vision - including a 14m- (46ft-) long tapestry installed in September 2004. The four main auditoria (the Concert Hall, the Playhouse, the Opera Theatre and the Drama Theatre) stage a total of 3,000 performances per year. .Bennelong Point, Circular QuayTel: (02) 9250 7111.Website: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/ Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (tours); Mon-Sat 0900-2030 (box office), plus two hours before Sun show. Admission charge.

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Sydney Harbour Bridge

Affectionately known as ‘the Coathanger', the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a feat of engineering genius. It took 1,400 workers (16 of whom died in the process) eight years to complete at a cost of A$20 million finally opening in 1932. The best way to experience the bridge is to climb it and the Bridge Climb gives thrill-seekers the chance to walk to the top of the 50-storey-high bridge (over the cars and trains rumbling across the deck below) and down the other side. Paul ‘Crocodile Dundee' Hogan, a bridge-painter in a former lifetime, was one of the first to climb the bridge. A second bridge climb recently opened, the Discovery Climb, which gives visitors a look at the inner workings of the bridge with a tour through the heart of the enormous steel structure..Pylon Museum and Lookout Access from stairs via Cumberland Street Tel: (02) 9240 1100.Website: http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/ Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700. Admission charge..Bridge Climb 5 Cumberland Street Tel: (02) 8274 7777.Website: http://www.bridgeclimb.com/ Opening hours: Daily 0700-2000. Admission charge.

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The Rocks

Nestled at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Rocks (Sydney's historical birthplace) is a neighbourhood of winding streets, sandstone cottages and some of Sydney's oldest pubs. The site of the first landing from Plymouth, England in 1788, the area is now a busy tourist enclave with cafes, restaurants, galleries, museums and countless souvenir shops. Among the district's historic buildings are the Hero of Waterloo inn (built over a tunnel that was originally used for smuggling), the Sydney Observatory (on the site of the colony's first windmill), Cadman's Cottage (Sydney's oldest building, built in 1816) and Susannah Place (a museum of working-class life). Other attractions include the Museum of Contemporary Art and The Rocks Toy Museum. The RocksWebsite: http://www.therocks.com/

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Sydney Observatory Watson Road, Observatory Hill Tel: (02) 9217 0485.Website: http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/ Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700. Admission charge.

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Cadman's Cottage 110 George Street Tel: (02) 9247 5033/8861. Website: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/ Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1630, Sat and Sun 1000-1630. Admission charge..Museum of Contemporary Art 140 George Street Tel: (02) 9245 2400.Website: http://www.mca.com.au/ Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700. Admission charge.

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The Rocks Toy Museum 2-6 Kendall Lane Tel: (02) 9251 9793. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1715. Admission charge..Susannah Place Museum 58-64 Gloucester Street Tel: (02) 9241 1893.Website: http://www.hht.net.au/ Opening hours: Sat and Sun 1000-1700. Admission charge.

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Darling Harbour A former dockside area, this small harbour has been transformed into a major tourist site. The vast, paved and landscaped recreation ground is packed with restaurants and shops, as well as a number of tourist attractions. These include the Powerhouse Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Aquarium, IMAX Theatre and the Chinese Garden of Friendship, a gift to Sydney from its sister city of Guangdong in China. .Darling Harbour Website: http://www.darlingharbour.com/ . Powerhouse Museum 500 Harris Street Tel: (02) 9217 0111. Website: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/ Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700. Admission charge.

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Australian National Maritime Museum 2 Murray Street Tel: (02) 9298 3777. Website: http://www.anmm.gov.au/ Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700. Admission charge..Sydney Aquarium Aquarium Pier Tel: (02) 8251 7800. Website: http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/ Opening hours: Daily 0900-2200. Admission charge..IMAX Theatre Tel: (02) 9281 3300. Website: http://www.imax.com.au/ Opening hours: Daily 1000-2300. Admission charge..Chinese Garden of Friendship Tel: (02) 9281 6863. Website: http://www.chinesegarden.com.au/ Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700 (winter); daily 0930-1730 (summer). Admission charge.

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Bondi Beach

Bondi is one of the world's most famous beaches, a kilometre-long crescent of sand strung between two rocky headlands, just 15 minutes from the city centre. During the summer months families, tourists, locals and out-of-towners jostle for towel space on the beach while the promenade bustles with activity. Campbell Parade serves up a mixture of busy bars, seaside cafes, and the ever-popular Sunday market. Topless sunbathing is tolerated and swimmers should always swim within the patrolled areas marked by the red and yellow flags. The coastal walk, which starts at Bondi's southern end and runs along the coast to Coogee, is a must for any visitor..Campbell Parade, off Bondi Road Website: www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/council/beaches Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.

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Art Gallery of New South Wales

Featuring the Yiribana Gallery, the world's largest permanent exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, the Art Gallery of New South Wales is one of Australia's foremost art museums. Among its most impressive exhibitions is its Australian art collection, extending from the early colonial period to the mid 20th century. The Asian Galleries showcase the gallery's significant Asian collection and touring exhibitions. Shortlisted portraits in the Archibald Prize (Australia's most prestigious and controversial art award) are exhibited here annually. .Art Gallery Road, The Domain Tel: (02) 9225 1700.Website: http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/ Opening hours: Thurs-Tues 1000-1700, Wed 1000-2100. Free admission.

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Sydney Tower

Standing 250m (820ft) above Market Street, Sydney Tower is the city's tallest building and offers views over the city, the harbour, the Olympic Park and as far as Terrigal Beach, 100km (62 miles) to the north. Entry to the observation deck includes the Skytour - a 35-minute virtual tour/ride on the podium level. Thrill-seekers can go one better and take a Skywalk, an outdoor tour on two glass-floored platforms..Corner of Pitt and Market StreetTel: (02) 9333 9222.Website: http://www.sydneytoweroztrek.com.au/ Opening hours: Sun-Fri 0900-2230, Sat 0900-2330. Admission charge.

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Royal Botanic Gardens

A short walk from the Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens sits on a slope overlooking the harbour and covers 30 hectares (74 acres) in the heart of the city. Established in 1816, it is Australia's oldest scientific institution and home to over one million specimens. Highlights include the Sydney Tropical Centre and the Rose Garden; there is a hop-on hop-off trackless train to get around them all..Macquarie Street (main entrance) Tel: (02) 9231 8111.Website: http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/ Opening hours: Daily 0700-sunset. Free admission..Sydney Olympic Park Built on the site of an old rubbish tip, the focal point of the ‘best ever Olympics' in 2000 is now an attraction in its own right, comprising 15 architecturally impressive venues as well as extensive parks and wetlands. Separate guided tours of the venues are given and a self-guided tour brochure is available from the Visitor Gateway or from the website. .1 Herb Elliot AvenueTel: (02) 9714 7888. Website: http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/ Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (Visitor Gateway). Free admission.

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ANZ Stadium

Edwin Flack AvenueTel: (02) 8765 2000. Opening hours: Tours run daily at 1100, 1230, 1400 and 1530. Admission charge..Observation Centre Level 17, Novotel & Hotel Ibis, Olympic Boulevard, Homebush Bay Tel: (02) 8762 1111. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1600. Admission charge..Sydney Aquatic Centre Olympic Boulevard Tel: (02) 9752 3666. Website: http://www.aquaticcentre.com.au/ Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0500-2100, Sat-Sun 0600-1900. Admission charge.

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Bicentennial Park

Bennelong Road Tel: (02) 9714 7888. Opening hours: Daily sunrise to sunset. Free admission..Taronga Zoo The most desirable residence in Sydney is inhabited not by the upper echelons of society but by a collection of seals, snow leopards, koalas, kangaroos and wallabies. Taronga Zoo's location, on Bradley's Head, at Mosman, is one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour, situated on elevated land along the waterfront. The zoo is home to over 350 different species of animals, ranging from old time favourites such as elephants, gorillas and giraffes to the more curious inhabitants of the animal kingdom such as the platypus (an animal so odd-looking that when settlers first came across it they thought it was a hoax) and the echidna. There are keepers' talks and shows throughout the day, and the sky safari (cable cars that glide over the zoo to give a bird's-eye perspective) is extremely popular. .Bradleys Head Road (main entrance) Tel: (02) 9969 2777. Website: http://www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/ Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission charge.

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Fox Studios Australia - The Entertainment QuarterFox Studios generated the principal photography of The Matrix Trilogy (1999/2003), Moulin Rouge (2001), Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). The adjoining Entertainment Quarter boasts shops, markets, cinemas, restaurants, mini golf, bungy trampoline, an indoor children's playground and a music venue..Lang Road, Moore Park Tel: (02) 8117 6700.Website: http://www.eqmoorepark.com.au/ Opening hours: Daily 1000-2400. Free admission.

THANKSGIVING DAY IN THE UNITED STATES

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Day is celebrated with lot of fervor and merry-making in America. Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in the month of November every year, it is a time for communal thanksgiving, feeling gratitude, lavish feasts. It is a time to remember the pilgrims. The original pilgrims celebrated the autumn harvest with a feast of thanks. The feast popularly known as the 'First Thanksgiving Day Feast' was held as a gesture of thanks to almighty God . It was celebrated in the year 1621. After the United States gained independence, Congress recommended one yearly day of thanksgiving for the whole nation to celebrate.

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Tribute to Native Indians

Until recently, people believed Thanksgiving Day to be a celebration of pilgrims, offering food to Indians. It however is a day marked as a gesture of thanks and gratitude to Lord Almighty for his blessings. It is also a celebration to mark the respect towards Indians for teaching the pilgrims how to cook. Pilgrims could not have survived without the help of the native Indians.

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Time for celebrating Traditional Harvest

Thanksgiving Day is a time of festivity, family meals and reunions in America. Carved turkeys, Pumpkin Pie, Corns, Cranberry Sauce are the traditional dishes adorning the dinner tables in almost every house. A time for feasting, Thanksgiving Day epitomizes the holiday mood of people.

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Tradition of Gifting

Thanksgiving is a time for gifting your family and friends. The day is a time to show your gratitude and respect to your elders, friends, your siblings and also your colleagues. Popular gifts include thanksgiving flowers, jewellery, baked cookie hampers, chocolate gift baskets, candy-wreaths, wine etc.

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Black Friday and Festive Spirit

Thanksgiving Day is the official beginning of the Christmas season. USA witnesses maximum sales volume on the very next day. The following Friday after thanksgiving is famously known as 'Black Friday'. This is so, because of the standard accounting practice of writing profits in black. The ongoing festive spirit, shopping spree, helps the shopkeepers to register maximum sales and profits. The entire atmosphere during the time is euphoric; people get in a holiday mood. Families visit restaurants, amusement parks, gift each other, decorate their house etc.

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Vocabulary:

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Lavish: adjective more than enough, especially if expensive; very generous
Feasts: noun [C] a day on which a religious event or person is remembered and celebrated
Pilgrims: noun [C] a person who makes a journey, which is often long and difficult, to a special place for religious reasons – (Nota: neste caso não foi o motive religioso que levou os Ingleses a emigrarem para o Novo Continente mas sim os altos impostos exigidos pela Coroa).
Autumn: Same as Fall (Outono)
Harvest: noun [C or U] the time of year when crops are cut and collected from the fields, or the activity of cutting and collecting them, or the crops which are cut and collected
Lord Almighty: Forma de referir-se a Deus Todo Poderoso
Blessings: verb [T] blessed or LITERARY blest, blessed or LITERARY blest to ask for God's help and protection for someone or something, or to call or make someone or something holy
Feasting: phrasal verb LITERARY to eat a lot of good food and enjoy it very much
Siblings: noun [C] FORMAL a brother or sister
Hampers: noun [C] a large rectangular container with a lid
Witnesses: noun [C] a person who sees an event happening, especially a crime or an accident
Shopping spree: shopping much more than normal
Shopkeepers: noun [C] (US USUALLY storekeeper) a person who owns and manages a small shop
Profits: to earn money from something

Eggnog (For the coming Holidays)

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INGREDIENTS

6 eggs (6 ovos)
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (1 lt de leite condensado)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (uma colher de chá de extrato de Baunilha)
1 quart milk (appr. 1 litro mais meio copo)
1/3 pint heavy whipping cream (ao invéz de whipping cream / creme de leite fresco - use o creme de chantilly pronto)
1 pinch ground nutmeg (uma pitada de nozes moídas)
1 pinch salt (uma pitadinha de sal - não exagere..)
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DIRECTIONS

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Beat eggs; mix in condensed milk, vanilla, quart of milk and salt.
Beat the whipping cream until soft peaks form. Fold in to egg and milk mixture and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve chilled.

Bata os ovos, misture o leite condensado, a baunilha, o leite e o sal. Misture delicadamente o Creme de Chantilly ao Eggnog (obtido no primeiro passo) e salpique as nozes moídas.