Ferry Nice Day - Sydney

Walking up the hill again this morning, I decided it is time to break down and see a pharmacist about some generic medication. Sydney is hilly in spots and can be the undoing if your have sinus problems. With chronic rhinitis, it can be overly taxing.

When I explained the problem to the pharmacist, he asked me questions about my general health and if I was on any medications. Having an aversion to taking medications of any kind, I am drug-free. He suggested Sudafed, which is what I had in mind when I came in, but thought I would see what he suggested without offering my opinion. When agreeing with him, he asked me for an I.D. It seemed strange, but I gave him my passport. He went back behind the counter, typed things into a computer and came back with the medication: only twelve tablets, taken once every four hours. Not many days worth.

Ron spotted a new coffeeshop to us anyway, run by two Asian woman. They made the best coffee outside of Gloria Jeans or Starbucks. Their muffins were super fresh and flavorful. I took one of the pills while we were here. By the time we left, I was feeling better. Within a couple of hours, I was feeling better than I have in ages. Even my face looked different; not as puffy as it had been before.

Seeing signs for the Liberal Catholic Church, it aroused Ron's interest, so we went to see what it was about. There was a service going on, so we did not want to interrupt, but they had four informational pamphlets outside. They are from the roots of the original Catholic Church, but branched off. This is taken from their pamphlet, but I also found it on their website at http://www.liberalcatholic.org/about.html

Doctrine:

The Liberal Catholic Church believes that the vitality of a church gains in proportion as its members increasingly draw their central inspiration from an intense faith in the LIVING CHRIST. The Church accepts in the plain and literal sense the marvelous promise of Jesus Christ when on earth: "And behold I am with you all through the days that are coming, until the consummation of the world." (Matthew 28:20)

In regards these promises as validating all Christian worship, of whatever kind, so long as it be earnest and true. But it further holds that, while the promise of the Presence with individual believers is thus effective, our Lord also appointed certain rites or Sacraments (called mysteries in the Eastern Church) for the greater helping of His people, to be handed down in His Church as especial channels of His power and blessing. Through these means of grace He is ever present with His Church, giving to His people the wonderful privilege of fellowship and communion with Him, guiding and protecting them at every stage from the cradle to the grave.

The Liberal Catholic Church recognizes seven Sacraments, which it enumerates as follows: Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Absolution, Holy Unction, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders. To insure their efficacy to the worshipper, the administration of all sacramental rites is guarded with the most jealous care. It has preserved an Episcopal succession that is valid, as understood throughout the whole of those Churches in Christendom that maintain the Apostolic Succession as a tenet of their faith.

Besides perpetuating these sacramental rites, the immediate followers of Christ handed down in His Church a body of doctrine and certain principles of ethics. Some of this original teaching of Christ has been lost, and some of it has been obscured by the accretions of the ages. What remains is a priceless heritage to be guarded with loving care and reverence.

The Liberal Catholic Church regards the Holy scriptures, the Creeds, and the Traditions of the Church as the means by which this teaching of Christ has been handed down to His followers. It regards them as fundamental, true, and sufficient as a basis of right understanding and right conduct.

The Nicene and Apostles' Creeds are authorized for use in the Liturgy of the Liberal Catholic Church.

According to the board outside, there was a woman deacon performing today's service. Ron peeked in and said they use full vestments. One of their pamphlets talks about their healing services and they also believe in reincarnation, karma, and alternative methods of medication.

Our next stop was Circular Quay and the Rocks area. We checked out the street market; it was quite extensive. It is interesting to me that many jewelery sellers have such similar if not identical wares to sell, regardless of what the country, continent, or north or south of the equator. After you have seen enough of these markets, they all look alike after a short while. The one treasure we picked up was a book on Aboriginal legends. Our big purchase of the day.

Missing the ferry for Manley Beach, we stopped at G'Day Café for a snack, recommended by our Frommer's guide. We sat on the terrace for the smoking area is out there and now that I can breathe so much better with meds, a cigarette tastes so very good. : )

We boarded the next ferry for Manley Beach. Leaving the boat, there is what they call a Corso leading to the beach. This in essence is an extra wide pedestrian walkway with stores on both sides. Down the center are fountains and flowerbeds. There is no smoking on the Corso event hough the entire thing is outdoors and not covered. There is no smoking on any beach in any of the cities we have been in, but because they also restrict alcohol and glass bottles, it would seem it is as much for trash pollution as it is for health reasons.

The beach was not crowded and there were few swimmers as the lifeguards were calling people out of the water. There was a storm brewing, causing the waves to be coming in extra rough and creating undertows in their wake, making it dangerous for swimmers. It was exceptionally windy, so the sunbathers did not have comforting sunshine experiences to keep them glued to the beach. With the increasing winds, even if they were glued to the beach, the forces of currents could still have ripped them off of their spots causing them to leave their thoughts of golden glows behind.

Off of the Corso, there was yet another craft fair, but due to the wind and the hour, they were closing up their booths. Just before one closed, we found stick, clay type oils for oil burners and decided to give it a try, buying the Australian sampler pack of common scents.

By 7:00 pm, we made our way to the ferry. As a side note, our transport card for the Sydney transportation also includes some of the ferries, so we did not have to line up for tickets.

Back on land, we decided on a pub restaurant where they serve huge steaks for cheap prices. Options are a ¾ pound steak for $5.00 or a pound and a half size for $12.00. It was cooked to perfection. Since steak and broilers are not common in Hungary, I was in heaven.

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