This morning, I went for a run and on my way back to the hotel, I was handed a free box of belVita Breakfast crackers in Martin Place.

Later in the morning, I headed to my appointment at the US Consulate.

Once up there (on Level 10), I passed through security and had to leave everything except the documents the Consulate had asked me to bring with security. It was pretty much like airport security, although unlike US airport security, I got to leave my shoes on.

The appointment was fine. They asked a lot of questions, but nothing I couldn’t answer. I read Martha Stewart Living magazines from 2006 and 2009 while I waited. I thought the content had aged reasonably well.

As a few of my required documents (my police clearances) had not arrived yet, I was given a document requesting these documents to be sent to the Consulate. When they arrive, they will process my case further.

After a lovely lunch with a friend, I killed time by walking around Sydney before catching my transfer to the airport.

Having costed out my flight and accommodation in Sydney here, the remainder of the costs of my actual stay in Sydney are:

Cost of meals in Sydney: A$27.01 (I had meals of chicken, salad and quiche)

Cost of my return airport transfer: A$15, cheaper than my transfer to the hotel because I booked a car transfer via the hotel rather than taking the train.

Cost of WiFi: Free – but only for the first 100MB, which runs out crazy fast. I had to rely on my cellular data plan instead. When I’m travelling and without WiFi, I am always reminded of Maslow’s Hierachy of Needs.

Total: A$42.01 / US$31.93 (at A$0.76 to US$1) + my despair at only having 100MB of free WiFi in my room