My Apartment, Gumal Ngurang

It must be so weird, after a long time, I just begin to write about my comfy apartment during my stay in Sydney. I lived there since the first day of my arrival. Gumal Ngurang is not an English word so that whenever it is typed it will be underlined automatically. yes, it’s an aboriginal word, means friendship. Before i go too far, I’ll talk briefly about student accommodations owned by my university, University of technology Sydney (UTS ). There are four student accommodations, mostly located close to UTS main campus in Broadway st. They are Gumal Ngurang, Geegal, Bulga Ngurra and Blackfriars. You see that three of them are named in aboriginal language. Probably, it’s how Australian respect aboriginal ^_^ i don’t remember the meaning of each, except Gumal which I’ve mentioned before.

Gumal is the newest apartment which is located in Broadway st., right between UTS and Sydney Uni. 300 meters to both universities. This modern place is good for those who love to live in city with the sleepless Broadway st. (well, actually it’s not really sleepless street, because not many cars in the street at 2 am; sydneysiders need to rest as well).

  Broadway shopping center is also very-very close to Gumal, i just need to walk about a minute, as it is located a block before Sydney Uni. So handy if we need to buy something or just to watch movies. Obviously, Gumal is surrounded by big and important buildings.

161 Broadway St. is the address of Gumal. with 9 floors including the rooftop and about 70 units, it can accommodate around 400 residents. So big, indeed. Residents are the UTS students come from around the world. The housing staff manage it well so that each unit is resided by students from different countries. Sure, the purpose is the residents can enhance their English. Like or dislike, they should speak in English. Maybe i got exception because I wear veil, so the housing set me with another Indonesian friend (aya). It was so nice to live with her… ^_^ my place was 702, which means on the 7th floor.

I could see part of Sydney from my window. So beautiful. My room had the best view of Sydney, trust me. What about the rooftop? it is in the top of the building which is mainly for partying, gathering, watching TV, relaxing, and also laundry.

It is a good place to take picture because we can get the view of Sydney, with high building as the background. Moreover in the evening and spring… hmmm… with velvet in the sky.

  

The thing which is interesting about gumal, especially my room, is that the building in front of gumal. I don’t remember its name. There were photograph activities there. The unit in front of my room, with the same floor, was a photo studio. They were so professional i guess. They set the place with different themes almost everyday. For sure, with ‘real models’. I could notice, that the theme was wedding, ethnic, casual clothes, or swimsuit. the gossip is, the boys living in gumal love to take a look at this building as sometimes the models were almost naked (oops, sorry). That’s what the gossip said ^_^ actually, I could see what the models did through my window. However, I’ve never seen the magazine or ads in which the pics were taken from this building. a little secret: the models were beautiful and handsome ^_^. One day, I watched a movie on TV. I didn’t know why suddenly i was so curious with how inside that building look like was. Surprisingly, the setting was on the movie was Broadway st, and the actresses entered the building in front of gumal. Then i could see the situation inside the building without I went there. Nice, at least i wouldn’t be so curious at the end.

Well, it is just a short preview of gumal where I used to live. So many memories there which i don’t want to and won’t forget. I love the people who ever stayed with me in my room and unit. I miss… ;( I wish I could meet them, anywhere will be fine as long as it’s them… place is not so important even though it would be better to see them in the same place. love them so…