If you’re not in Sydney, it’s difficult to understand what all the fuss is about. After all, APEC is designed to bring together the leaders of the Asia-Pacific region. They’ll discuss economic growth and build stronger relationships with one another, and all will be rosy. How could that be bad, right?

But living in the middle of it takes away the gloss. Our once beautiful city resembles a warzone, all in the name of security. Fences, concrete barriers and barbed wire have been erected around all our major tourist areas. A world leader decides he wants to see a museum, and more streets are closed off to clear his path. It’s great for the leaders, but not so great for the Average Joe looking to get where they need to be. Of course, with so many streets blocked, the traffic on the roads we can use is horrendous. We might use public transport, but it’s hard when the ferries aren’t running and many train stations are closed.

If you’re not running into the barricades, then there are the police on the street frisking all and sundry. Everyone, it seems, is a suspect, with the innocent until proven guilty philosophy thrown out the window. Drivers are suspicious too, with random car searches happening in full force. A massive headache, but at least our world leaders are safe.  

As if these inconveniences weren’t enough, then we have the extra measures to make the dignitaries stay extra special. No celebrity stay is complete without cuddling a koala and patting a kangaroo. Your average Hollywood starlet is happy to trek to Taronga Zoo to make it happen, but not our international leaders. Instead, we’ve shipped the animals to a secret location in Garden Island to entertain the visiting dignitaries. Spare a thought for your run-of-the-mill tourists who miss out on seeing our iconic wildlife, not to mention the poor animals missing their homes.

This one’s not confirmed, but a persistent rumour. Apparently staff of the hotels hosting the APEC leaders are not allowed to leave until the leaders have. That’s right - that’s at least six days these workers can’t go home. Of course, they probably don’t want to deal with the traffic anyway, but that’s beside the point. Let’s hope there’s some major APEC bonuses in play.

I hope George Bush, Vladimir Putin, Hu Jintao and co. really enjoy their stay in Sydney, I do. Because for the rest of us, APEC’s just a big pain in the posterior. 

Post from: The Sydney Traveler