The title of this blog has several meanings. I have been writing blogs all throughout the time since the last one. Each time I would write a bit, but never managed to post. Then, by the time I got back to the blog again, something new had happened, making the previous content irrelevant. The first set of attempt discussed our current situation and our plans to move forward. The second bit was to explain why all those plans were completely out of date. This will be the third attempt and well and will sort of describe how it is our plans had a change of direction.
The only way to describe my trip so far is a roller coaster. Kyle has been keen on the rule of 3’s: after enjoying three positives, gear up and brace for the three negatives to come, or vice versa. While I am in favor of the theory of equilibrium, I am unconvinced that three is such a significant number or that each event carries the same weight. Somehow, I think that having someone let you know your shoes fell off the top of the car (in our case this is a positive) carries a somewhat lesser magnitude than having the nose of two surfboards smashed as a gust of wind blows them off the top of the car as you cook breakfast. After a month in Australia, I believe the balance weighs heavier in unlucky bullshit range. But, as I stated, our theory of equilibrium, however it may be defined, should bring the balance of tide back to the miraculously lucky side very soon.
I don’t like to harp on the negatives too much, but with such an imbalance in favor of, I must discuss a few of them to describe our adventures. As we were enjoying recently arrived new music via a care package of forgotten items sent by our families, the aforementioned surfboard accident occurred. The solemn breakfast and the shoe incident occurred no more than an hour later. We bought a seat for our friend Nick to be able to join us. Then, we headed north for Newcastle for our VW mechanic brake check appointment. About 40 km from the mechanic, on the highway, the van suddenly loses power and we pull over. As soon as we reach the side of the road, the radiator cap blows, shooting steam everywhere. The van usually runs pretty hot, or at least has been doing so recently (should have been clue #1). But, this trip just did her in. After it cooled, we started it up just fine, except to a LOUD rattling, to which warned us to shut it off right away. The rattle came back on the second attempt, at which point the engine locked up and wouldn’t start. $100 tow and a drunken night’s sleep in the mechanic’s parking lot are what ensued. It was our first chance to “shower” in a few days.
Mechanic estimates that he is 95% positive it will require a new engine costing at least $2k.
Luckily, we had met and worked for one of the most incredible couples ever. They offered a place to stay, gave us more work, found additional work from a neighbor, helped brainstorm job options, drove us to figure out the car, and the list goes on as one might imagine. Not to mention they did all this while the historical figs they have been fighting/protesting 2 years to protect were beginning to be lopped off. We arrived to a scene similar to the photo below, with police standing in front of the double-, now triple-gated fenced off figs, which you can see in the background.
However, this photo was taken during a lull. By the end there were 70 police, including the riot police, to keep back all the protestors. At one point, however, there were about 30 police as 2 elderly protestors who stood to witness the destruction. You should search “Laman St. Figs Newcastle” to learn more. From what I have heard, the justification for lopping the trees was because the trees were too big and had become a “safety hazard,” despite being obviously purely healthy – which, if your read my previous blog isn’t all that surprising. It’s all a pretty sad day for Aussie democracy.
Well, in light of the current automotive troubles we have been frantically searching for jobs. With the wettest January since 1923, which is summer here and normally dry, causing flooding throughout the east coast, jobs on farms are fairly limited. Fruit picking, which is normally a great source of employment for backpackers on working holiday visas, is just difficult to find. After a few days of intense searching and alternative approach brainstorming, Kyle finally landed on a website for cherry picking. He called, and the lady said to get there as soon as possible. We booked a train to Young, NSW and headed out for camping gear. After a month in OZ, we finally have landed a real job. We will be leaving our car with the mechanic and friendly host, Brian, to deal with while we go to hopefully make some money to pay for repairs.
