Where am I?

Lewis Black joked about flying to Australia/New Zealand, "if you have been on a plane for 20 hours, you would think that when you got off, people would have the decency to speak a different language."  I was thinking about that when I departed the plane.  It was a little weird to go so far to a city that is, in many ways, very similar to many cities in America.
Sydney is a really nice city with a population of 4.4 million in it's metroplex.  Every square inch of the city is used for houses, skyscrapers or transportation (which is very extensive...trains, buses, monorail).  Because of this, it is easy to get around.  If you even look lost, people tell you where you need to go.  I have seen a lot of the city by foot and bus and I was able to go to the Blue Mountains today, about 100km outside of the city (uh-oh, I am already speaking Aussie).  Sydney and the Blue Mountains are very pretty despite the fact that the weather has been cold and rainy.  Of course, it is supposed to be nice the day I leave, but doesn't that always happen. 
Here are some things that I have noticed:
-Tax and tip are included into everything in Australia, so the price that is listed is the price you pay (including meals).  This is nice because it is very simple, however, due to this system, everything looks more expensive.  
-People are very friendly and seem to actually like tourists. 
-Converse shoes are back...everyone is wearing them, and not just the Aussies.
-Some people think when you travel alone, you will be alone.  However, I have found that you actually meet more people when you are by yourself.  Just by asking, "can I sit here?", I have made a lot of new friends and I have met many solo women travelers; some with similar stories to mine.
To end on a very light note, I have noticed that every toilet has an option for a half-flush or a full-flush, presumably to save water.  Maybe we need to get with the times, America...
Tomorrow  to Tasmania!