(Flinders Train Station)
When I first got here I found it quite difficult adjusting to a new culture, a city, and trying to sort out work and a place to live all at the same time. Yes I have done this before many times, but what I didn't anticipate was how expensive it is here, and a bad exchange rate for the American dollar didn't help. I didn't leave with as much money as I'd hoped, but I needed to go, so I just cut my losses and went.
(Yarra River and Melbourne City)
When I first got here, finding work was difficult and a place to live was even more difficult. I guess when you live in a city that constantly rates high on the list of most desirable places to live in the world, you get this problem. After three weeks, I finally found a place to live and a job at an Asian restaurant called Gingerboy. I worked about 6 weeks there, but wasn't getting too many hours so I had to look for something else. Luckily a spot opened up at my friend Angelo's place of work. I got hired there as a bartender and am currently there. It's called the Emerald Peacock and is a really busy cocktail bar in downtown Melbourne, a pretty sweet gig. (www.theemeraldpeacock.com).
(Central Business District)
One of my best friends from Montana, Mark, has also joined me down here on working holiday, he got here a month after I did. He got a job working as a bar back at the same place, so that has been really fun. I like working there, but it is really hard work! I like it though and I am meeting lots of cool people and having a bustling social life again.
(St. Kilda Beach, South Melbourne)
This week Mark and I got a new flat and we are moving to the downtown of Melbourne! Its a really nice place and a bit expensive, but we can walk everywhere now. Its one the 8th floor of an apartment building and has a balcony with a nice view of the city. We're so excited. I've always wondered what it would be like to live right down town in a city.
(Australia Socceroos vs. New Zealand All-Whites match before the World Cup)
Fall is in full swing here and the leaves are almost all off of the trees. Winter is setting in and the days are short. It doesn't get super cold here, but its like Seattle, a damp cold which gets right through your clothes.
(Flagstaff Gardens)
So Mark and I are going to stick it out in Melbourne for a while until we can save up enough cash to move on. Not sure where we're going to go next, but up North to Queensland and the Great Barrier reef are surely on the list. I hope to post more often now, sorry for the long absence.
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