Biding my time

Like most backpackers that travel through Australia when you stay in a certain place for a decent amount of time it becomes necessary to get a job. So after being the quintessential tourist for a few weeks and getting my fill of surfing, beach and barbecues I decided it was time to get a job. However, the job I did ended up with was not ideal.

We've all been stopped on the street at one time or another by a young guy or gal in a brightly colored shirt and told about the terrible situations going on in the world. They always make eye contact when you're about ten yards away in order to get your attention and then give you a sob story. Then they hit you with the donation part and, if they've done it right, you feel obligated to pull out your wallet and fork over some cash (that is unless you've dealt with them before). Yes, I was one of those people. However in my case I didn't want your cash, I wanted your bank details. Needless to say most people are unwilling to give out credit card numbers and bank account details on the street so my tenure working for the Australian Red Cross did not last long. Sales, which it basically was, just wasn't for me. And the worst part about it was, besides getting rejected all day, 95% of the monthly donations for the first year actually go to the marketing company. We're instructed not to mention that part.

Anyway, after the boredom of unemployment set in again I decided to get another job. It's not the easiest thing for a backpacker in Sydney to find a job but when you speak fluent English it sets you above some of the others. Lucky me.

I have just over a month left here in Sydney before I hop a bus and start my travels up the east coast. I've got 45 days to travel via Greyhound from Sydney to Cairns. Along the way I'll make stops such as Byron Bay, Brisbane, Surfer's Paradise, Whitsunday Island and Townsville. I hope to do some scuba diving on the Barrier Reef and throw myself out of a plane for some skydiving along the way. So it goes without saying that I am really looking forward to the next leg of the journey. But for now, I wait.

There still is one place here in New South Wales that I need to visit before I go which would be the Blue Mountains. They're just to the west of the city proper and I believe they're Australia's version of the Grand Canyon. Although Australia has got more than one version as the inner parts of the country have Ayer's Rock and a crater from a meteor impact a long long time ago.

So for now I'm just working in a cafe/restaurant and, as of late, eating a good amount. Boredom will do that to you. It's pretty hot here now and every time I take a shower not more than 20 minutes will pass before I feel like I need to take another one. I'm actually looking forward to the New Zealand winter if you can believe that.