Slowly it becomes autumn – what to me still seems like German summer,
well nearly ;) You can feel that it gets colder in the mornings but during the
day the temperatures still reach about 24 degrees.
It has been a very busy month! A lot of Up´s and Down´s but slowly we
find out place:
DAY 369 – 399
// HOUSE HUNTING... OR FINDING THE RIGHT PLACE
The first weekend for Adam already has been a long one with “Labour
day” coming up on Monday. This was as well the day when Sam told us that four
people in the house are not working for him or Suzanne. It came as a surprise
as it only has been one week – but ok. Therefore we were quite busy in March to
search for a new place in Melbourne to stay. First of all we had to find out
what we both could live with and what we can afford, of course. The timing
couldn´t have been worse… we thought Adam has time to find a job first before
we start house hunting. But it was what it was.
In the beginning we focused on our own place (for rent but no one
else). Unfortunately that was connected to a min. 6 month lease and we haven´t
seen a great place anyway – most of them were tiny shoeboxes! So we looked at
different options: flats, bungalows and flat- or house shares. Overall we found
it shocking in what condition some places are (attached some pics of a bungalow
– even if I have to say the pics actually look better then the reality!) and
how unreliable some people are. In the end we agreed on not living with more
than 2 other people, not further out than 7km from the CBD and that we wouldn´t
bound ourselves to something longer than 3 month.
Finally we found a great, light flat with huge balcony together with
Dee, in the end of her twenties. We said yes and she seemed happy, too. Just a
few days before the move she then texted us that the current flatmate is not
moving out for another 4 weeks :( Wasn´t ideal, of couse! As we
were not welcome anymore at Sam´s and felt uncomfortable because of that we
decided to keep on searching… and were lucky :) In one of our favourite
suburbs Brunswick we found a big place with our own bathroom. It´s an old brick
building away from the street with a backyard, garden and a lemon tree. We live
with 2 guys in their mid twenties (Evan and Shaun. Evan is an Architect and
Shaun is an Ostheopath and they are really nice :)). It only takes me 20 minutes
to work with the bike and other than that we have a tram close to the house.
PERFECT!
Unfortunately Adam was sick and couldn´t come with me to see the room
but the guys were great, we just did a skype session afterwards and BOOM – they
picked us and on the 7th of April we moved in – what a relief!
// JOBS... OR HOW YOU TRY TO SURVIVE IN MELBOURNE
Work and Application wise it went up and down, too. I got used to the
Café work but unfortunately we still don´t have a substitute for David. I´m not
sure if this will happen at all. We had a guy from india and a Kiwi for a trial
but none was there for longer than 3 days. Jenny manages to get rid of all of
them. Well – I do what I have to do and sometimes even get a compliment ;P
An Agency from Sydney came back to me via email as I applied for one of
the Sydney jobs. She was keen to talk to me on Skype but as well had a few
questions to my situation upfront. After I answered her then via email –
nothing anymore :( So I still sat in front of my laptop, 9am, and
hoped she would still show up on skype. Unfortunately she did not. As soon as I
mentioned my work and holiday visa there was no reply anymore (while others
simply do not reply at all). Well – good to know. Adam and I wanna look into
the rules for a sponsorship (if he sponsors me). I keep you posted.
Adam had no luck for the first 3 weeks so far, what brought him down
quite a bit – in addition to the flat situation. But in the fourth week he got
a positive response from a kitchen maker place in Lower Heidelberg (yes,
Heidelberg :)) and started immediately. Unfortunately it turned
out that he hasn´t done that kind of work in a long time and therefore quit
after 2 days again. I´m sure there will be something else soon!
// LIVE ITSELF
Apart from our admin tasks we had a look at quite a few art galleries.
In addition the
„Loreál Fashion Festival“ took place and we went to some of the
exhibitions that interested both of us. Some stuff was quite impressive – other
stuff actually really disappointing.
Zoe´s familiy invited us one Sunday to have lamb roast with them and we
took the opportunity to go to the beach before. It was great to see the water
again! That´s something we don´t like about Melbourne: Even if you are close to
the water you can´t see it every day (like in Wellington). Ok, our view there
was real luxury but in general we find it too flat here. It´s hard to orientate
yourself (especially me :)) as you don´t know where you are. I would have
never thought that I say that one day as I actually like flat…
Well. We also spent a lot of evenings with going to the movies,
watching DVD´s or just talking. None of us was keen to hang out in the house so
we stayed a lot in our room. We skyped England or Germany or went house
hunting.
Another weekend we caught up with the brother of Adam´s brother-in-law
and his girlfriend. They live in Melbourne for about 8 years now and it was
good to see other faces.
// EASTER (CAMPING OR HOUSE SITTING?)
Happy Easter to
all of you!!!
Initially we
planned to go camping that long weekend with Tim, Bron and some friends (and
apparently the whole state of Victoria!). Unfortunately Sam was ill for the
last 2 weeks and I kind of grabbed the virus :/ But not only this stopped us
from going. We were not really prepared. Well, we got a tent for free from
Zoe´s dad and Adam has a sleeping bag but that´s about it. Not to mention a
car. Bronya and Tim´s friends offered to give us a lift but in the ned it was
too much of a hassle, in addition to all the other stuff going on.
As Bron and Tim
asked us if we wanna do some house- and cat sitting for them we said immediately
yes! 4 days a house to ourselves – AND Tim´s hard drive with movies :) That was awesome! We actually didn´t
leave the house. The weather wasn´t the greatest anyway and so we were reading,
drawing, watching movies, sleeping, eating, playing with the cats and just
relaxed and had a good time. We both needed that and it was great to move
around the house without anticipating someone else.
But at the same
time it was a strange feeling. One year ago I was with the Hair familiy in the
Marlborough Sounds wakeboarding. Feels like ages ago!
I´m really
curious how it will be when I´m back in Germany one day. Will it be like always
or will it feel like an eternity? We´ll see… but we don´t give up on Australia
yet even if it´s a bit stubborn!
I hope you are
all doing well so far! I´m sorry that I didn´t reply that much but the easy
life is gone ;)
The little
humans are growing fantastically, thanks for all the pictures! Because of that
I might be even able to know who belongs to whom when I come and visit hehe :)
I wish you all
a great start into spring and hope the snow is not interrupting anymore.
Cu later
Alligator,
Baba
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