Stopping to listen and look

I've been in Sydney for a few days now, and am happy to have stayed in one place for a little while. I'm staying at a very cool modified Victorian hostel (here they are simply called 'backpackers') right in the King's Cross section of town, which is has a similar feel to the Mission District in SF. The hostel is eclectic and international; the hallways echo with different discussions in a mixture of languages, a French conversation blending in with German one -- like a linguistic stew.

Even in a big city like this, where the identity of a country's people can be hard to spot, I've already seen what it was about Australia that made me want to visit - the people. Case in point:

Out at a very crowded pub last night, I felt someone's hand on my back. Instinctively suspicious, I turned around with a raised eyebrow. The guy behind me said " D'ya mind if I get by, mate?"
"Not at all," I said.
I guess he could see my confusion, so he said "Sorry, I just like to ask instead of just pushing through, ya know?"
Yes. I do know. I said thanks.


I think I've heard that a country's heart is with its people.... I think I'll like Australia's heart.