Today was mostly about getting things organized for my upcoming outback adventure. I woke up, went for a run in the park (there were Black Swans in the pond today!!! I watched them dip their long necks into the water looking for food. Sometimes, they'll dip half their body so I'll just see their bums and feet wagging above the surface). The cute pink Galah parrots were in their tree as well as the green parrots. Parrots make such shrieking squawking noises!
While I was on my way to the park for my run, I saw police officers milling around on the busy street. There was a minor fender bender car accident. Then I hear "screeeech....boom!". I turn around and see that another fender bender had just occurred right next to the first accident! I bet the driver was distracted by the first accident and braked, thus causing the car behind to run into it. The driver slowly kept driving to turn the corner. A policewoman chased after the car screaming, "Stop! Stop! You've got to Stop!". The driver signalled to the officer that she was just getting out of the way onto a quieter street. So the second car followed and they both stopped their cars in the side street. I continued onto the park for my run and when I came back, everyone was gone.
After my run, I did laundry and then went into the city to shop. Well, shop for essentials such as shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Because things will be more expensive in the outback.
I also went to the library to check my email (it's usually free but here I only paid $5.50 for a membership to use internet for 3 months). A woman who was also on the computers started to chat with me. People just do that here....I'm still trying to get used to strangers making conversation with me. It's not something that people do in bigger cities. But anyways, she seems to be looking for a job and is frustrated with her situation. She's British and she hates Perth. She's been here 25 years and has always disliked it. She had kids here and she really wants to move but feels stuck because she is so settled with a house and it's hard to move everything (Perth is soooo far from other cities....it's extrememly isolated from the rest of the country). So I asked her why she came. Her answer? For a man. She seems to regret it and she admits she should've checked it out first before agreeing. He's British too but wanted to come because there is so much land here compared to London and it's always sunny. I don't know if they're still together...I didn't dare ask. It doesn't seem so....she seemed bitter. I think she told me all this to warn me not to make the same mistake. I told her not to worry because I haven't moved here but only visiting. I like Perth for holiday but I don't see myself living here either. I told her she'd like Melbourne better.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Going to the Outback!!!!
This morning I received a call about a job in the outback! I am so excited I will be working at a pub in Mt. Magnet which is up in the middle of nowhere of Western Australia. This town of approximately 1000 was a significant gold mining town and there are many sheep stations nearby. It's 11hrs northeast of Perth by bus. My duties will include bar, kitchen, and cleaning. I hear the locals are friendly there and I am especially looking forward to a real Australian outback experience! Unfortunately, there will not be any cell phone service but hopefully there'll be internet.
I will be leaving in 3 days and the plan now is to work for 2 months. Of course, if I love it there then I will stay longer.
I just saw the movie Australia last night at the hostel (they were showing it for free) and it made me really want to go to the desert. Now I am! It is one long movie (3hrs) but a very good one....I recommend it. I tried watching it on the plane 3 weeks ago but fell asleep after 1 hr. I cannot watch long movies on flights. I'm glad I had another chance to see it. The next movie I want to see before I leave Perth is Samson and Delilah. It's an indie movie about 2 Aboriginal teenagers in the outback. I'm going to see that on Wednesday when it is cheapest.
I also ran in the park again. Yay.....I'm doing good with the exercise! Hopefully, I'll keep it up in the hot arid desert. Especially since I'll be eating poorly there (pub food). Then again, maybe I'll lose weight from all that working.
I'm soooo ready to work again! Yes!!!! I'm most excited about meeting the locals! :)
I will be leaving in 3 days and the plan now is to work for 2 months. Of course, if I love it there then I will stay longer.
I just saw the movie Australia last night at the hostel (they were showing it for free) and it made me really want to go to the desert. Now I am! It is one long movie (3hrs) but a very good one....I recommend it. I tried watching it on the plane 3 weeks ago but fell asleep after 1 hr. I cannot watch long movies on flights. I'm glad I had another chance to see it. The next movie I want to see before I leave Perth is Samson and Delilah. It's an indie movie about 2 Aboriginal teenagers in the outback. I'm going to see that on Wednesday when it is cheapest.
I also ran in the park again. Yay.....I'm doing good with the exercise! Hopefully, I'll keep it up in the hot arid desert. Especially since I'll be eating poorly there (pub food). Then again, maybe I'll lose weight from all that working.
I'm soooo ready to work again! Yes!!!! I'm most excited about meeting the locals! :)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Maccas Apple Pies
We call it Mickey D's, they call it Maccas. Whatever you call it, it's McDonald's. I got a $1 apple pie from McD's today and it was delicious! It's exactly the way I remembered it from childhood --- hot scrumptious apple cinnamon filling in a crispy deep fried outer crust. In today's health-conscious world, McD's pies in Canada are now baked and this greatly affects taste. (I don't know if they're baked in the US as well). The aussie apple pies are made with local Granny Smith apples cut into perfect little cubes. The crust is so bubbly in texture and crispy. I love crispy anything.
Running in the Park and the Group Mentality
I slept wonderfully last night since I had coffee-induced insomnia the previous night. It was so hard to wake up this morning but I managed to drag myself out of bed at around 10am. I didn't want to go for that run in the park but I forced myself. Once I stepped out into the bright sunny outdoors, my mood changed instantly. It was warm, sunny and not a cloud in the sky (Perth has the bluest cloudless skies I've ever seen). As I was running, I heard and saw birds around me. There are so many species and they are very colourful as well. There were parrots (red ones, green ones...) flying from one tree to the next as I ran along. It was as if they were running with me. Sometimes I will see Galahs...they are cute parrots with pink heads and grey bodies. They seem a bit dumb because when you approach them, they try to run away instead of flying off. But Galahs are soooo cute. It was weird seeing parrots flying free in the wild at first. I'm more used to it now but sometimes I still am taken aback by it all.
As I continued my run, I came across a row of narrow cages...like batting cages. They are cricket (the game, not the insect) practice cages!!! At the end of each one was a wicket too! (Those 3 little metal posts behind the batter). Further on, there was a huge footy field --- Australian Rules football has 4 posts at each end of the field (2 big ones in the middle and 2 smaller flanking the middle ones).
I've noticed from walking around that no matter where you are in the world or whichever city, people are all the same! I don't understand that "group" mentality. What is it about groups that make people so inconsiderate and unaware? They take up space on the sidewalk, walk slowly, and don't move out of the way when people are trying to pass. They also forget how to think independantly. When you pose a question to a group, they look at you blankly until one of them answers and the rest follow. Mathematically, the number of people in a group is inversely proportional to their total IQ level (ie. the more people, the dumber they get as a whole). My friend put it best when she quoted another friend of hers when she said that "the combined IQ of a group is equal to the IQ of the dumbest member divided by the number of people in that group". LOL
As I continued my run, I came across a row of narrow cages...like batting cages. They are cricket (the game, not the insect) practice cages!!! At the end of each one was a wicket too! (Those 3 little metal posts behind the batter). Further on, there was a huge footy field --- Australian Rules football has 4 posts at each end of the field (2 big ones in the middle and 2 smaller flanking the middle ones).
I've noticed from walking around that no matter where you are in the world or whichever city, people are all the same! I don't understand that "group" mentality. What is it about groups that make people so inconsiderate and unaware? They take up space on the sidewalk, walk slowly, and don't move out of the way when people are trying to pass. They also forget how to think independantly. When you pose a question to a group, they look at you blankly until one of them answers and the rest follow. Mathematically, the number of people in a group is inversely proportional to their total IQ level (ie. the more people, the dumber they get as a whole). My friend put it best when she quoted another friend of hers when she said that "the combined IQ of a group is equal to the IQ of the dumbest member divided by the number of people in that group". LOL
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tea (dinner) with a friend
On Monday May 4, I had a lovely time reading my book by the Swan River in the company of some ducks. Soon after I arrived, a group of brown ducks (which I've never seen before) landed and proceeded to munch on the grass around me. They stayed there the entire time and even napped when they got tired (birds sleep standing on one leg!).
Yesterday (May 5), I ran in the park and stretched in front of the peaceful pond. This pond has turtles, birds, ducks, Ibis (!!). I feel like I am in the middle of the country even though I am still in the city! It's so relaxing.....ahhhh. During the day, I wandered around the street mall area and made some funny observations. I love watching human psychology at work. There were 2 teenage girls wearing clothes way too tight for their bodies. Although both were tall and thin, they somehow managed to create major "muffin tops" from their too tight jeans. They also had on really tiny tight tank tops. I watched 2 male workers (in their 20's) turn their heads back to look at the girls. One of the guys sarcastically exclaimed under his breath, "surrrre....". Hahahaha.
In the evening, I met up with my friend Allison K. for supper! I was so happy to see her again before she flies back home. We went to an Irish Pub called Durty Nelly's and had Durty Burgers with chips (fries). We thought it would be fun to go there. Afterwards, we went to a cafe for dessert. Allison wanted to "share a dessert" so I agreed. Instead, she ordered 2 slices of the Tiramisu because what she meant was we were "sharing the cake" (not a slice). Sly one. I also had a flat white (espresso with cold milk).....boy, was that a mistake! I ended up not being able to go to sleep last night. I just laid in bed listening to my music. I must've fallen asleep early this morning because I woke up at 10am and I'm now quite tired.
Today is Wednesday, May 6 and I'm just taking it easy. I'm having a doggie connection day today. I passed an old man walkng his little dog this morning. The dog stopped to smell me and licked my leg before his owner pulled him away. Later on, a little white dog escaped his yard and followed me for a bit. I'm so tired from my coffee-induced insomnia last night. I think I'll go find a cheap secondhand bookstore since I'm almost finished reading my current book. I went into some bookstores yesterday and saw a Cantonese Phrasebook --- I could've used one of those when I was in HK!
Yesterday (May 5), I ran in the park and stretched in front of the peaceful pond. This pond has turtles, birds, ducks, Ibis (!!). I feel like I am in the middle of the country even though I am still in the city! It's so relaxing.....ahhhh. During the day, I wandered around the street mall area and made some funny observations. I love watching human psychology at work. There were 2 teenage girls wearing clothes way too tight for their bodies. Although both were tall and thin, they somehow managed to create major "muffin tops" from their too tight jeans. They also had on really tiny tight tank tops. I watched 2 male workers (in their 20's) turn their heads back to look at the girls. One of the guys sarcastically exclaimed under his breath, "surrrre....". Hahahaha.
In the evening, I met up with my friend Allison K. for supper! I was so happy to see her again before she flies back home. We went to an Irish Pub called Durty Nelly's and had Durty Burgers with chips (fries). We thought it would be fun to go there. Afterwards, we went to a cafe for dessert. Allison wanted to "share a dessert" so I agreed. Instead, she ordered 2 slices of the Tiramisu because what she meant was we were "sharing the cake" (not a slice). Sly one. I also had a flat white (espresso with cold milk).....boy, was that a mistake! I ended up not being able to go to sleep last night. I just laid in bed listening to my music. I must've fallen asleep early this morning because I woke up at 10am and I'm now quite tired.
Today is Wednesday, May 6 and I'm just taking it easy. I'm having a doggie connection day today. I passed an old man walkng his little dog this morning. The dog stopped to smell me and licked my leg before his owner pulled him away. Later on, a little white dog escaped his yard and followed me for a bit. I'm so tired from my coffee-induced insomnia last night. I think I'll go find a cheap secondhand bookstore since I'm almost finished reading my current book. I went into some bookstores yesterday and saw a Cantonese Phrasebook --- I could've used one of those when I was in HK!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Waiting for that call and relaxing
Yay! I've managed to catch up on my blog! Now I've updated up to the point where I can start being more detailed about my day-to-day activities.
So today is Monday (May 4) and I went to the job agency in the morning. The guy from the Wiluna pub never called back and the agency doesn't think he'll get anyone for the amount of time he requested. I'm relieved because I didn't want to go there. All I can do now is wait for another vacancy to pop up -- which can be today or tomorrow or the day after. The agency will let me know when they get a call. Hopefully, it will be before I have to decide whether to extend my hostel stay by a week or not (you get special prices by the week).
I'm so happy that I've found a way to feed myself frugally. Last night, I bought an avocado, fresh bread bun and a tomato for only $2! Using those items, I made a sandwich with the can of tuna I've been lugging around for months. I like to eat sandwiches for supper at the hostel instead of cooking (the hostel kitchens get sooo crowded). Plus, I don't have to clean as much. I don't like crowded areas. Other times, I will eat out. I've found a place that sells sushi rolls for $2 each in the evenings and an asian place that sells chicken and rice or noodles or whatever else combos for only $4 at good-sized portions. And not to forget the 50 cent soft serve ice cream cones at McD's. This is also a good way for me to eat less and lose the weight I've gained in Hong Kong!
I'm going to spend the rest of my day lying on the grass by the Swan River reading a book. The weather is spectacular today, as always! :)
So today is Monday (May 4) and I went to the job agency in the morning. The guy from the Wiluna pub never called back and the agency doesn't think he'll get anyone for the amount of time he requested. I'm relieved because I didn't want to go there. All I can do now is wait for another vacancy to pop up -- which can be today or tomorrow or the day after. The agency will let me know when they get a call. Hopefully, it will be before I have to decide whether to extend my hostel stay by a week or not (you get special prices by the week).
I'm so happy that I've found a way to feed myself frugally. Last night, I bought an avocado, fresh bread bun and a tomato for only $2! Using those items, I made a sandwich with the can of tuna I've been lugging around for months. I like to eat sandwiches for supper at the hostel instead of cooking (the hostel kitchens get sooo crowded). Plus, I don't have to clean as much. I don't like crowded areas. Other times, I will eat out. I've found a place that sells sushi rolls for $2 each in the evenings and an asian place that sells chicken and rice or noodles or whatever else combos for only $4 at good-sized portions. And not to forget the 50 cent soft serve ice cream cones at McD's. This is also a good way for me to eat less and lose the weight I've gained in Hong Kong!
I'm going to spend the rest of my day lying on the grass by the Swan River reading a book. The weather is spectacular today, as always! :)
Back in beautiful Oz, job hunting and enjoying Perth!
APRIL 27 - MAY 3
Alice and I caught the overnight flight back to Australia together -- to Perth. April 27 is a public holiday Monday (ANZAC day, which is like Remembrance Day/Veteran's Day). Once in Perth, we went our separate ways -- Alice driving south to her town of Kojonup and me onto Perth itself. Western Australia (WA) is on the west coast of Oz and less populated than the east. Perth is definitely slower in pace and people are extremely friendly. I was surprised at how very multicultural it is here too. It's great, I love Perth! The weather is beautiful, sunny, warm, bright open blue skies, abundant parks within walking distance, etc.
Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world. It is so remote that Singapore and Indonesia are closer than Sydney or Melbourne! Once outside of Perth, there is vast emptiness and desert. There are towns scattered about this big state of Western Australia (WA takes up almost half of the continent), but they are far apart from each other.
The hostel I'm staying at is north of the city in the district of Leederville. There is a free bus that goes from the hostel to the CBD (Central Business District). The first 3 nights, I was in a triple room (3 beds) and I didn't have any roomates. I had a tv though! I had booked a 5-bed room but since there are so many unemployed backpackers, people are just staying and rooms are quite rare. So I was bumped up....not complaining. Then I extended my stay for 1 more week and all I could get was a 2-bed. That's ok...I now have 1 roomate from Italy and there is a tv (even though reception sucks).
On Tuesday (April 28), I went to the job placement agency to look for a country pub job. There are a lot of people looking and they had us put our names down on a list. Most people are looking for work in the city or farm jobs such as fruit picking. I'm interested in being a barmaid at a pub in a small town in the middle of nowhere.
I have been running in the park and eating quite well (and less). It feels good to be active again. I've also been walking a lot by going into the city and King's Park (which is larger than NYC's Central Park). King's Park is like walking into a forest and being surrounded by exotic birds chirping...plus, there are not too many people. Peth is awesome for it's perfect mix of real nature and city.
Two days later on Thursday (April 30), I got a call at 4:50pm from the job agency. There was a vacancy at a pub in northern WA which was 2 hrs away by plane. The town is Wiluna and it is literally in the outback....in the desert....isolated middle of nowhere. I ran to the office to find out more and talked to the owner on the phone. He wanted someone to stay 4 months but I could only promise 2 months at this time. He said he'd get back to us but he never did. That is fine with me because I am not too keen on this place anyhow.
On Saturday (May 2), I took the train to Fremantle. This is a town 30 min south of Perth and they have markets on the weekends. It was an ok market....I preferred Salamanca Market in Hobart (Tasmania). This market was smaller and it didn't have much handmade local stuff. There was also a lot of chinese merchants selling asian knick knacks. I'm not interested in that...I go to markets to buy local items!!!
On Sunday (May 3), I met up with Allison K. for brekkie! She arrived the night before and will be here for a few days. I wwoofed at her place in NSW when I first got to Oz. It was so nice to have a visitor and to catch up! It was nice to have an aussie breakfast again. I've been staying away from chinese food ever since I came back from Hong Kong.
Alice and I caught the overnight flight back to Australia together -- to Perth. April 27 is a public holiday Monday (ANZAC day, which is like Remembrance Day/Veteran's Day). Once in Perth, we went our separate ways -- Alice driving south to her town of Kojonup and me onto Perth itself. Western Australia (WA) is on the west coast of Oz and less populated than the east. Perth is definitely slower in pace and people are extremely friendly. I was surprised at how very multicultural it is here too. It's great, I love Perth! The weather is beautiful, sunny, warm, bright open blue skies, abundant parks within walking distance, etc.
Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world. It is so remote that Singapore and Indonesia are closer than Sydney or Melbourne! Once outside of Perth, there is vast emptiness and desert. There are towns scattered about this big state of Western Australia (WA takes up almost half of the continent), but they are far apart from each other.
The hostel I'm staying at is north of the city in the district of Leederville. There is a free bus that goes from the hostel to the CBD (Central Business District). The first 3 nights, I was in a triple room (3 beds) and I didn't have any roomates. I had a tv though! I had booked a 5-bed room but since there are so many unemployed backpackers, people are just staying and rooms are quite rare. So I was bumped up....not complaining. Then I extended my stay for 1 more week and all I could get was a 2-bed. That's ok...I now have 1 roomate from Italy and there is a tv (even though reception sucks).
On Tuesday (April 28), I went to the job placement agency to look for a country pub job. There are a lot of people looking and they had us put our names down on a list. Most people are looking for work in the city or farm jobs such as fruit picking. I'm interested in being a barmaid at a pub in a small town in the middle of nowhere.
I have been running in the park and eating quite well (and less). It feels good to be active again. I've also been walking a lot by going into the city and King's Park (which is larger than NYC's Central Park). King's Park is like walking into a forest and being surrounded by exotic birds chirping...plus, there are not too many people. Peth is awesome for it's perfect mix of real nature and city.
Two days later on Thursday (April 30), I got a call at 4:50pm from the job agency. There was a vacancy at a pub in northern WA which was 2 hrs away by plane. The town is Wiluna and it is literally in the outback....in the desert....isolated middle of nowhere. I ran to the office to find out more and talked to the owner on the phone. He wanted someone to stay 4 months but I could only promise 2 months at this time. He said he'd get back to us but he never did. That is fine with me because I am not too keen on this place anyhow.
On Saturday (May 2), I took the train to Fremantle. This is a town 30 min south of Perth and they have markets on the weekends. It was an ok market....I preferred Salamanca Market in Hobart (Tasmania). This market was smaller and it didn't have much handmade local stuff. There was also a lot of chinese merchants selling asian knick knacks. I'm not interested in that...I go to markets to buy local items!!!
On Sunday (May 3), I met up with Allison K. for brekkie! She arrived the night before and will be here for a few days. I wwoofed at her place in NSW when I first got to Oz. It was so nice to have a visitor and to catch up! It was nice to have an aussie breakfast again. I've been staying away from chinese food ever since I came back from Hong Kong.
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