The Great Australian Adventure Vol.1.3

After arriving in the Sunny Coast Master Z and I decide to settle in Maroochydore as it seems to be the biggest coast town – though it is not actually by the beach but on the river!  We find a “whatif” deal for the “Maroochy River Caravan Park” for 2 nights *gulp - and we are off!

This part of the mission goes as the rest have been – I end up in a taxi with our stuff (this three day period may be the only time in our lives that Master Z’s things equate to more than mine!)  taxi driver is nice enough – oh positive for OZ – taxi drivers ALWAYS help you with your stuff! <3

I then go in to the reception to check-in and where is my passport? Frick! I have Master Z’s but mine is not in my travel wallet – did I accidentally give the wrong passport to Master Z? Luckily the lady was very understanding and let me check in without it as long as I showed her once Master Z got there.

Master Z arrives and I ask him for his/my passport and I am informed that I have them both... I then know what it must feel like to swallow lead as my stomach is in my knees! So after a very frantic – slightly blurry search I find my passport in my handbag *phew - disaster averted!

We then spend the next day searching for a place to live and encounter the biggest biach ever – needless to say – we did not move in... this left us in a very stressful situation and Miss D helped by driving us around a few places only to be told that we would be looking at $700 a week to be looking at short term rentals L so we go back to the caravan park a bit disheartened (ok – so I was VERY disheartened) I spoke to the ladies in the office and asked if they had any ideas and what do you know – for $320 we could move to a slightly smaller cabin as long as we paid 2 weeks in advance (no refunds for early departures)! Yay! We are no longer homeless!

So here starts 5 long weeks of job searching, house hunting and entering the waiting place! (Dr Suess – you’re a legend for naming the place !)

 This is also where we made our first friends - “the neighbours” Miss B and Master A – two of the sweetest hearts and the most Aussie of Aussies you can imagine J Miss B is exactly like the aussie Shelia I imagine – chain smoker, loud, proud, has a story about EVERYTHING and would take in every stray in the neighbourhood if given half a chance! Master A is as aussie bloke as you can imagine too – loves a brew (or 4), drives a truck, would attempt to move mountains for Miss B and his catch phrase is “could be worse – could be Tuesday”.

These two dragged us along to Karaoke one night, under the guise of going to the “Waterfront” (I know Auck crew – too funny! Turns out everyone has a waterfront bar! – to those that do not now Auckland also has a waterfront bar and it is TERRIBLE – 18yr olds shaking their things to mainstream music, getting more drunk then they can handle and puking/passing out) you will be happy to know that this is not what I walked into – this was like drinking in the burbs – or at the casino... the ages ranged from 18 – 90 and was a one stop shop – pokies, brassiere and sports bar – needless to say, far from my scene lol.  Though I must admit I did enjoy myself – and not just because I got to have Kopperburg Pear Cider (which is the best cider ever invented and I discovered years before in Ireland but cannot purchase in NZ)! I have also in part due to this night – though only loosely – ended up being titled Miss B’s Bridal Co-ordinator – heck yeah! This wedding is going to rule fool!

   

This is also around the time I discovered the aforementioned Eboney De Winter (aka the most ahhmahazing shop EVER – in the history of the universe – at least as far as I am concerned!) and here is where I made friends with my second friend (although this friendship is still largely in the making) Master L loves shoes – maybe even as much as I do, gave me a great coffee tip off and is one of the owners of Eboney De Winter – so as you can imagine is super styling! He could almost be a Kiwi :P  

The Great Aussie Adventure Vol. 1.2

Dallas Frasca

Miss D and Master  Z started almost the moment I arrived, trying to convince me to move to the Sunshine Coast (as Miss D had been offered her dream job up there) there may have been a hello and a pash first but it was not soon after... I let them sweat it for a few days :P - I knew I was not keen for the suburbs anyway! 

Friday night was fun – once I was fed – Hangry Miss R came out to play for a while, then I learnt about the VERY interesting Queensland liquor laws, you are unable to smoke inside, good work Queensland!  You are also not allowed to eat in these smoking areas – although drinking is perfectly fine while smoking. They are called “DOSA” (designated outdoor smoking area). We also saw an amazing band – Dallas Frasca. But after a big week and finally seeing Master Z, all I wanted was to go to bed so at about 12:30 (which btw in NZ time was 3:30 anyway!!!) Master Z and I went back to Miss D’s – where we slept in the coolest freaken hutt of all time! (ok, so it was a cubby house made of sheets – but still!  I have never wished I took a photo of something more in my life!).

Master Z and I then spent the weekend with Miss D in the Sunshine Coast – where I was again ganged up on in operation “DMTB” (don’t move to Brisbane), eventually I told them that I was cool with moving to the Sunny Coast.

This weekend was awesome until we were on our way back to Brissy and got stuck in the craziest traffic jam. Miss D’s patience is worse than mine so as you can imagine this was a serious cause of stress. We ended up getting the train instead – after almost 2 hours in the car going basically no-where.

By the time Master Z and I got to Brisbane it was almost 10:30 and we were both tired and maybe a lil testy (although this may have just been me ...) so we ended up staying somewhere I have for many years avoided... at a backpackers! –Shared showers creep me out! This turned out to not be nearly as bad as I envisioned (though this could have been due to us having our own room!)  

Master Z then worked on Monday and I had to go to Inala (yes, the place starting with I) to get my eftpos card, this was a freaken mission that made me wonder what the frick I was doing in this country of inbreeds!  I then went to purchase a sim card and found that my card did not work! I then went back to the bank and they basically told me I was a dumb ass and that my checking account was actually connected to the savings button (sorry – who is a dumb ass!) we then checked this to find, wow, I am not a dumb ass! It is actually not working!

So I waste another 20 odd minutes with some annoying moo who keeps telling me that the card should work – ah, I know it should freaken work, she then goes to speak with her superior and finds that oh, neither her, nor her useless workmate had unlocked the card once they had verified my identity! Are you kidding me! I wasted half an hour because you are STUPID!!!   I then ask to have my internet banking set up,

“Sure, what is your Australian cell phone number?” Stupid woman (SW) asks

“I have not been able to access my Australian funds so I still do not have one” I respond “Oh, we can’t set that up yet then” SW advises

“Where is the nearest place I can get a sim card then” I ask – through gritted teeth

“Just next door” SW answers, as if this is the most stupid question someone could ask!

Next door I go - taking deep breaths and trying to count down from 10!   Then I am advised that I have to go next door to pay! Are you freaking kidding? Off next door I totter to pay and then when trying to set up my new pre-pay number, the automated voice on the other end of the line advises that I must have an Australian address?!!! At this point steam is pouring from my ears! All I wanted was my banking set up and the ability to communicate! *sigh.

So I decided to get the fuck out of Inala because I am scared that stupidity rubs off – naturally I wanted to get away from these imbeciles asap!

Back to Brisbane I go – did I mention it was raining? At this stage the only sunny day we had encountered was Saturday, when we spent the day in the car – and even then there was a madness rainstorm as we were driving! Lol. So I finally get back to Base (the backpackers), dripping wet, almost crying with homesickness! After a bit of a fluff around to get my phone and internet banking sorted I was still feeling a bit down so decided to do something nice for the Australian society and as there was a blood bank beside the backpackers, this was where I decided to do my good deed.

Kitten D Amour <3

I walked in, smiled at the lady behind the counter and stated that I would like to give blood, after 10minutes and a lot of nose looking down on, I was informed that I had not ingested enough water. What the, I cannot even do a good deed!

So in retaliation to being informed that I was dehydrated I decided to have a glass of wine and read some of my Richard Branson book – Screw Business as Usual – OMG, converted to the Virgin Mentality!!!

Sorry, I digress. Not even Branson can cheer me up so I decide to have a nap – after all Nana naps are the most amazing invention.

After my Nana nap Master Z and I just had dinner and relaxed in bed... now if this was actual Sunday Vino’s and I didn’t know my Mother was going to read this – I would say more than I ended up getting some vitamin Z ;D needless to say – I ended up in a much better mood!

Oh – also before the good deed debacle I discovered an amazing store! Kitten D’Amour – I love you and I cannot wait to spend money in your store! 

The Waiting Place

When in the waiting place it is very hard to avoid being in a slump and as Dr Suess advises “un-slumping yourself is not easily done”.

Although both Master Z and I have been searching for employment it is not as forthcoming as we would have liked... Our savings have dwindled and I am starting to feel a bit like I am in Groundhog Day. To make matters worse homesickness keeps rearing its ugly head, now don’t get me wrong, it is not that I want to be back in NZ (ok – sometimes I do, mainly for the hugs and a good ole pep talk) it is just that I really miss the amazingness of my friends – their abilities to make me smile when I want to cry, the in jokes, magical bottles of vino appearing in my fridge, Marmite, “hello sexy lady”, the city... OMG the CITY!

Australia does however provide a very regular dose of vitamin Z, the most amazing shops (that I cannot shop at yet as I am poor and have no job *sigh), a MUCH warmer climate and Master Z really does make me feel special and amazing (even though he still tries to tell me that he will never get married... we’ll see :P) – moving for love is not the worst idea I ever had :D.

I am just really annoyed at myself (which is freaken difficult cause having it out with yourself makes you look/feel crazy!)  My moods are changing more than Auckland weather, one moment I am lovely the next I am extremely irritable, the worst part is that weird feeling of nothing – no mood whatsoever – and this seems to be my most frequent mood; I know what needs to be done, but cannot find the motivation to do so; lastly I just feel a bit lost – I am not quite sure who I am at the moment and after so much work on becoming the awesomeness of Miss R over the last year I am finding this really hard to deal with.

It is crazy – like at a vino session – I am suddenly getting the clarity of what is actually going on but unlike a vino session I do not have Miss TH to give her OT (occupational therapy) take on how this is normal, nor do I have Master J to make a joke of it – in a brotherly way that makes you laugh at yourself, I also don’t have you all telling me that it will get better and un-slumping myself will happen faster than expected as I have you all to help me.
I do however have Master Z and I am sure that once he reads this he will have a masterful plan of attack that is random and crazy – nothing like what my ‘sensible’ friends would concoct but somehow awesome and fitting *fingers crossed – either that or I will get an awesome hug – yay!

Also I must admit, this experience has made us closer than I ever thought possible and this at least I am really enjoying. He can read me like a book – half the time he can read me better then I know my own feelings (45% scary – 55% freaken cool!).

I can honestly state – hand on heart – I have never been this close to a man and it is not even scary (... much... often...). I know I said it at the beginning of this crazy adventure but it really is like he is my missing puzzle piece. (OMG, I am getting so cheesy I may need to get you all some crackers :P - may as well grab the wine while I am up...)

The Great Aussie Adventure Vol.1

So exactly a week has passed since my first blog post and I have had 68 views – I am way more popular than I thought :P

Happy Easter all! You know I miss you all dearly and wish I could have hugs and tell you all how fabulous you look but as it is not possible right now – just know that I am only friends with fabulous ok x

As I cannot figure out how on earth to start out this story I have decided to envisage the most EPIC Sunday Vino Session EVER!!!

Setting:              Ivory Lounge

We are seated in front of the fire place on the very comfortable squishy couches with 3 bottles of wine in front of us (after all – there are loads of us... Look – loads!)

Miss T H – one of those is red the rest are Pinot Gris so that we do not have the Sav vs. Chard discussion   :P

Moose has just wondered back to the bar after a good 15 or so mins of chit chat and we finally get down to the nitty gritty! (for those of you who do not know moose – he is the bar manager and fancies himself as a ladies man).

After another bottle of vino (or two :P) we have got through the general how is everyone – it has been to long – I love you guys – let’s not leave it so long next time – etc.

So as you all can imagine the Friday I left was an emotional and crazy one!   After having a slight freak out whilst getting ready the smart and intelligent Miss C handed me a much needed shot of Agavero for breakfast!
Then after a few hours of “what if I am not pretty enough, or have forgotten something extremely important“ as a few of you know, I was accompanied to the airport by Master  J and Noo’s (also her beautiful babies; which made me feel amazing and loved.  

Then amazingly, when arriving at the airport, I was surprised with the lovely Miss H coming to see me off (and got a beautiful heartfelt farewell over the phone from my *cough –Miss H’s –Master C). After spending $140 to get my extra (overweight) bag on the plane the six of us had a tasty lunch that took an obscenely long time to come out, we had a laugh and everyone did a great job of keeping my mind off of the HUGENESS of what I was about to do.

Miss H and Master J had to go off to work and I had my first ”don’t cry – don’t cry” moment of the day!   This was followed by a pep talk from Noo’s of epic proportions – If you have not had the pleasure of a Noo’s pep talk, take my word for it – this woman could talk a small army into believing that they are ten foot tall, bullet proof and breathe freaken fire!   After a good 10 minutes of hugs – a couple of high fives from the kids and a few more “I am so proud of you’s/I cannot wait to visit” from my Noo’s and I was walking through the gate.

Now anyone that has walked through that gate not knowing when they will next be living in their home county knows, this is the moment when you don’t know the difference between up or down as you are so excited about what could be coming and so full of grief for what you are leaving behind – those amazing friends and family, also brimming over with the love of those that you are leaving behind.

After passing through customs I met Miss C and we had a bit of fun speed shopping,  then I had a chat with Master J and Miss LL on the phone before getting on the plane and sitting with the cutest most Kiwi of couples from Wanga’s of all places! They were all class!   Trust me - barely out of the country and already feeling homesick due to the awesomess of the characters I have met!  So I get off the plane and am waiting to collect my baggage and who is there? My ex - the one that got away- of course, I mean who else would be there, basically in front of me, just waiting to make me wonder if I was doing the right thing!
So here I am, turned away from him, thinking invisible thoughts but not able to keep my attention on the conveyabelt that is for some reason not circling my bags!   Suddenly, poof – there goes the man, and here are my bags... was this real? 

Frick... reality... Master Z is on the other side of that screen... still have 12 ppl in front of me in the line... I want to get out of here... I am feeling claustro... no go slower... what if I am not as pretty as he remembered – what if I am not fun after all?   Aghhh!!!   -Cue customs guy “your arrivals card does not have an address, where in Brisbane are you going?” Brain: “Fuck... I am homeless and jobless... in another country!” Mouth: “I am not sure, I am staying with a friend, in place that starts with an I” *flash winning smile – customs guy rolls his eyes, chuckles and tells me to go straight through. My feet start walking and my brain starts its attack AGAIN: *Augghhhh... the wall... no, ask a few more questions, I am not ready... am I ? Shoot, am I ? O.M...

First I see Miss D  with a sign “Rachel Kiwi” on the back of an envelope! <3 Beside her is the reason for all this happening and my mind (FINALLY) shuts the hell up... the next minute it takes to walk around the dumb barrier is the longest of my life!   I am speechless and struck dumb and want to say 1000 things but nothing can encompass the “It is amazing to FINALLY see you... I missed you so much... You make me feel so freaken wonderful” 

Then - you guessed it - we pashed :P

Welcome to ShoesOnMyFeet

A blog to share my travels and other - I am sure at times - very random things. 

  

This blog is named in part due to my obsessive love of shoes and an amazing book by the genius of Dr. Suess! – “The places you will go” (thank you Miss LL for introducing this to me and Miss M for purchasing it for me).

A month into my "Great Australian Adventure" or as some of my friends have re-named it - Miss R’s move for Lovvve <3 

In the coming weeks I will catch you up on some of the more interesting adventures but for now I will just let you know the highs and lows of my feelings to date.

Anyone that has left their homeland for an unknown amount of time will confirm that homesickness is a challenge fought more often than we would care to admit!

Currently there is a list in my head as long as my arms of the things I miss but I will not bore you with them all:

·        Sunday dinner with the crew

·        Vino sessions (Once the with the “Vino Girls” before I left it was with the smaller “Vino Avengers – Auckland Chapter”

·        Marmite, Pineapple Lumps and Hokey Pokey Ice-cream!

·        Mostly I miss having those I love in the same country (often around the corner)

·        Great white wine that is easy to find and cost effective

But in every cloud there is a silver lining – I love:

·        Miss D for being an awesome friend – and taking me for coffee every now and again

·        Master Z for being an amazing BF and putting up with me, my craziness and especially odd ways

·        Eboney De Winter! <3

·        The warmth (and often sunshine!!!)

·        Food costs being much cheaper

·        Knowing that although I am in another country, my friends and family love me – some of them have even proved it with txt’s or FB messages saying so

Thanks for reading (and in advance for all your amazingly supportive comments)

Miss R x