Friday 6 November 2009

Coffee and Wigs

The past week has been busy busy busy! We’ve been trekking back and forth between the YHA and Wake Up! (two hostels in the centre of Sydney), as on some nights one or the other is fully booked, meaning we have to check out. We have now secured accommodation at the Wake Up! for the next two weeks, so room 206 is our home for the foreseeable future.

Last Thursday Dan and I both passed our RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) training, meaning we can legally work behind a bar now. We also took part in a barista (coffee making) workshop, as just saying you’ve worked in a café is not enough for the picky Aussies! Despite adding these strings to our bows, finding work has still been a slow process. I’ve currently handed in my resumé to about 15 places and haven’t heard back from one. Demoralising isn’t the word!! We haven’t given up hope just yet though, as we are still being quite fussy at the moment.... give it another week and Dan will be back at Maccas!!
 
Our lives were thoroughly brightened up last Wednesday when two crazy Americans from ‘Miichiiiigaaaaan’ moved into our room at the YHA with, literally, their entire wardrobe, every medicine they could possibly ever need and four months’ worth of cosmetics. Courtney and Cory had arrived! The four of us instantly got on and spent the next week hanging out together (we persuaded them to put 99% of their luggage into storage before we moved to the rather cramped room at the Wake Up!!) The highlight of our time together was a night out on Hallowe’en. We managed to cobble four outfits together for minimal cost and, I think you’ll agree, we looked ‘perdy darn good’! Courtney and Cory are now travelling up the coast, but they are hoping to be back in Sydney to join us for the New Year celebrations.
 
After realising we probably weren’t going to find work as quickly as we had hoped we decided to at least try and tick the accommodation box. On Gumtree (the ‘in’ website for travellers looking for somewhere to live) we soon stumbled across a house share that looked nice. It was in Newtown, about 10 mins on the train from Sydney Central, so we decided to book an appointment to view the room. As soon as we stepped outside the train station we decided we liked the place. The main high street is made up of loads of little cute independent stores (there seems to be some sort of rule against chains), selling really unusual jewellery and clothing. There’s a real community spirit which you don’t get in the city.

Looking around the house we could really imagine ourselves living there. It’s quaint, with wooden floors and bohemian furniture. This, along with the fact it has wireless Internet and bills included in the rent, was enough to make us sign on the dotted line. It sounds rash without having the regular income from a job lined up (Mum – ‘kick boxing’!!....private joke) but the rent for a week is about 200 bucks cheaper than we are currently paying at the hostels, so it really does make sense.

We are going back to Newtown in the next few days to ask around about jobs. Obviously it would be ideal if we could find work there but, failing that, it’s easily within commuting distance of the city and other major suburbs.

Two weeks today we will be moving in, so no doubt there will be lots of pics coming soon...

3 comments:

Jean and Geoff said...

It is great to get your latest news and to read that you are making progress. And making friends too!!Nice photos.
So, you will be getting your 'kicks on Route 66' in two weeks time. There seems to be plenty of caffs along this road, but how about the Imperial Hotel in Newman Street for your job hunting? You could bring a real British flavour to the English sounding hotel!
I have been working Google Earth, as you can tell. When you are settled give us the address, then we can knock on your door.
Take care. Love from us both - Gran and Gramp

Andrew Burrell said...

Glad to see you're both having a great time. To say im jealous would be a massive understatement!! Keep the updates coming, its better than reading the North Devon Journal!
Dan, if its possible a box of oreo cookie kitkat chunkies would be most appreciated... i will gladly pay above the going rate!
Take care, stay safe!
PC Burrell x

Nichola Feesey said...

Are you sure it was a Hallowe'en party? The 'trick or treaters' that turn up on our doorstep look much more scary!!
Love Mum xx