“I just saw a snake on the sidewalk.”
***
What a HECTIC week we had here in Australia! Although we were delirious by the end of it, our road trip ended in Townsville, Queensland on April 16 and now (a week and a half later) we are finally, FINALLY settled in. (I know a week and a half isn’t long, but I swear that felt like an eternity.)
So let me run you through all the little hurdles we went through that made moving to Townsville an emotional roller coaster (stress levels were high, man).
I already explained before why I’m moving to Townsville, so you know that my top priority is looking for work. I got on top of the game early and arranged a few interviews at restaurants in the area before arriving. I found work quick and I’m now serving at an awesommeeee beachfront bar and grill (this place has the best wings on the planet, not even kidding). And Jack scored three interviews in a day (!!) and had no dramas picking up work.
So work, done.
Now apartment hunting is a different story. We’re really just looking to rent a room in a share house. Something laid back, without signing a lease. But Townsville isn’t big. And there’s not a lot of options, especially for a couple. We found a place with a sick location, but the place itself was less than spectacular. Let’s jut say the wifi and horribly uncomfortable bed were a major deal breaker (that, among other things).
So we consistently looked around for new places (on Flatmates or Facebook marketplace) to pop up and one finally did. I jumped on it because it looked awesome (it’s like a condo/village type of thing with a POOL.) And we got it! We’re moving in today (literally in a few hours) and I already got a bed delivered (thanks to Facebook marketplace). Then we’ll just have to go grocery shopping so we can start eating healthy again because eating out is getting old.
Apartment, done.
Ah, the scooter. My next challenge. Geez, I didn’t think this was going to be such a headache. I thought I could just purchase the scooter from the ad I found on Gumtree and ride away. But nah. Ain’t that easy. A Korean dude was selling a little red scooter that I fell in love with (obviously).
So I messaged him and bought the scooter, but I didn’t realize we had to switch over the registration and that’s difficult for me not being an Aussie citizen. So I had to prove my identity (like hello, it’s me!!). And then get a roadworthy test done. The first guy we took it to was a crook of a car mechanic and didn’t pass the scooter because the seat was converted to a one seater. He suggested all these expensive solutions and I’m like hold up. No.
When I called around, I found out that the law about converting a two seater to a one seater has been null & void for the past three years! So I rode my perfectly fine scooter back down to his shop and confronted him about this (he already made me pay $50 for a failed test) and he got visibly upset. Clearly, mad that we were right. He still didn’t pass it even though we were right and I wasted 50 bucks on his lousy business.
I ended up taking it to a different place that did pass my scooter as roadworthy because they obviously have updated books. Ugh (sorry for the vent sesh).
Scooter, done.
Other than that, little hurdles like joining a decent gym, getting aquatinted with the local grocery store and shopping center, getting an RSA and trying not to get lost were all jumped over in no time.
Ahhh, I can take a deep breath now. It’s time to enjoy Townsville.