Christelle in Australia

October 24, 2004

Darling Street Weekend Shopping & Bluebottle Kiss Concert Number 2

Yesterday after the laundry was done, I went out to Darling Street. First I went to the IP Shop to print out one page with all the things I want to see in Melbourne. Then I went to Harvey World Travel to pick up my flight & train vouchers for the Darwin/Alice Springs trip mid-november. After that I went to Woolworths to buy a few things (fruit, eggs, muffinmix, cheese, Fruitloops and milk). I also dropped by the baker to pick up some bread rolls for Andy's mother. After, at home, I just did things around like watch television, Internet, listen to some music in my room, read old Australia travel/adventure brochures, etc. At around 18h, I brought my clothing back inside to finish off the drying in my room. I don't like my clothes being outside when it is dark. Its scary out there... hihi. At 19h, I made french toast but it was not as yummy because I did not have white bread but only 9 grain bread. It was still nice though! At around 20h15, a friend of Andy's drove us to the Hopetoun Hotel for another Bluebottle Kiss gig (12$ at door). When we arrived, another friend of Andy's was already there.
It was definitely better than last night... The songs were better (except they did not play Sisters Head On!) and I could see everyone on stage very well! Definitely glad I decided to go to the second concert as well. Back home, I found an ugly insect in my room. I sprayed it with Mortein and it dissapeared under furniture. When I got up to go to the toilet at around 5h, I saw it laying upside down on the step. It was not dead though, I saw its legs moving! I left it there and now 10h40, I'm guessing its still there. Also, Andy's mom showed me a huge ugly furry grayish spider that was in a chair outside!! Thankfully it did not start walking towards me, it stayed comfy in the chair. Bah!!!! I am getting a bit more ok with seeing the insects, but I still am scared...

Day At Home

Today I woke up at around 9h. I came downstairs, checked me e-mail, read some news and had brekky (yummy Fruitloops!!). Later, I phoned my mother and my boyfriend to see how they were doing. Then I had a big task to do... Take all the boubous (little pieces of things) off my clothing. Yesterday I had put my beach towel in the dark colour wash and now the black clothing was full with little pieces of that towel!! So I took each item of clothing and the boubou brush and made them look good again. After that I made some muffins! 5 chocolate chips and 5 blueberry... Really tasty! Also, I got the line-up for the Stonefest next weekend in Canberra. Something For Kate (the band I want to see) are playing from 21h to 22h according to the schedule. That would be good as the last bus I could take back to the hostel goes at about 22h45 I think. There was thunder and lightning and a lot of rain outside! Really loud thunder!! I liked it. I liked even more I was inside and not out in that stormy weather. At 17h, there was a one hour special on The Whitlams (an Australian band) and I watched that. The interview part was nice but the music/videos I had already seen on Andy's DVD.

October 25, 2004

Work in Millers Point and Collateral Movie

Last night I went to my room to try to watch a movie (Captain Correlli's Madolin) but just fell asleep. At 10h30 or so I woke up, shut the television off, got in my pyjama and went to bed.

This morning at around 7h40, the temp agency called me to work. They offered me some cooking work in Millers Point (The Rocks/Sydney) so at 8h35 I took the bus number 433 which brought me all the way there in one go. I bought my ticket in the bus (3,50$) because it was more sections than my little TravelTen card allowed me. It was 7 sections, and with the TravelTen ticket I had I can go up to 5 sections. It was a long bus ride too, about an hour, and there was so much traffic! I made morning tea (crackers and fruit), lunch (sandwiches again... argh! So tired of making those!) and afternoon tea (biscuits and fruit). The staff was friendly, it was very nice. There was even one Canadian girl there, from Ottawa! After work at 13h, I decided to go see a movie. So I walked all the way to the cinema on George Street, about 35 minutes away! I got there and wanted to see two movies. The Notebook was only showing at 15h something so I got a ticket to see Collateral with Tom Cruise at 13h50 (11,50$ student rate, yay for the International Student Card I got at my university before leaving). I bought 3 Subway cookies (2$, yum yum) and then went to the movie room. It was a good movie! Thrilling at times, funny at other times (though it was not meant to be funny I think) and a sweet (though a la hollywood) ending... I want to see the movie again because some scenes just took me by surprise I guess... Like in the nightclub (nice music in that scene) or the back alley with the 2 punk guys. Won't say more for the people who haven't seen it! I liked seeing Tom Cruise as the bad guy. Nice film, glad I saw it. Right after the film I called the temp agency because they had left me a message on my mobile phone while I was watching the movie. I got assigned work for tomorrow and Wednesday at a kindergarden in Glebe, not too far from where I live in Balmain (still have to take the bus though), and for a change, not as a cook! After that, I took the bus number 442 back to Balmain.

October 27, 2004

Two Days Work in Glebe

Yesterday and today I worked at a kindergarden in Glebe (10 minutes by bus number 433 from the house in Balmain) from 8h30 to 16h30. I enjoyed it a lot. It was not as a cook so I got to spent a lot of time with Australian children. First I'll speak about yesterday.

I arrived a bit too early at 8h10 so I went to sit in the park that was near the kindergarden. It was a beautiful sunny day and it made me happy to go to work. At 8h25, I went in. I helped set up the outside play area, then just played with children and helped the 'teachers'. It was a bit difficult because I did not know the children's names! I also noticed 2 of the boys had more trouble playing and being friendly and needed a lot of attention. I had my lunch (sandwich, muffin and juice) in the park near the water. The afternoon I spent with another group in the other room. I liked it less than my original room/children. At 16h30 I had a big headache and I quickly walked to the bus stop and caught the bus just as it was arriving! I was so hungryyyyyy! I went to the bank to take out some money and then it was off to Woolworths supermarket. I bought the things I needed to make dinner: lasagna (with a layer of cottage cheese & spinash) with ceasar salad. At home, I started cooking. It was ready by 19h. I enjoyed the meal very much and I think Andy and his family also liked it. After I watched Survivor at 19h30 in my room in the attic. I also wanted to watch CSI (it was an episode I had not seen before!) but fell asleep. At around 22h I woke up and got ready for bed.

This morning I went to the same kindergarden again. I was in my favorite room again. It was a different 'teacher', she seemed better with the children and she was indeed. The morning was spent playing inside. I prepared the morning tea fruit and bread. I had to spend a lot of time handling the boys who had attention problems. They fought a lot together, one made a big mess during lunch (which I had him clean with me), etc. Although it was challenging, I liked the part of teaching them how to communicate and behave and so. Just before lunch, we went outside to play. I had my lunch in the park once again, but it was so windy!!! Incredible! The afternoon went by very quickly. The children had a rest time (which they did not have the previous day...) and it was good rest for me too!! I think today was easier because I knew more the children and their names and also the routine of the day, the rules, the way they deal with things at that kindergarden, etc. It allowed me to be more involved. At 16h30, I decided to go to another bus stop than the usual one. I walked across the park to a bus stop that was nearer to Balmain, so less time on the bus for equal amount walking to get to the bus stop! Complicated logic? Naa! At home, I confirmed my bus ticket for the Canberra trip this weekend! My first little backpacker trip!

October 28, 2004

Shopping, The Notebook Movie and Packing for Canberra

This morning I decided to go to the city to do some last minute shopping and see a movie. I took the bus at 10h10 and then went to search for a good money belt. I left mine at home (it was a good silk/light/soft one!) and I could only find big bulky ones here at shops like Gowings. I finally found a good one by Samsonite (25$) at the Myer store. I then went to the HMV so buy a new mini disc to record the Something For Kate concert. I then went to eat a crepe at the food court under the Myer store. I saw a photo session that was in progress, it was interesting to watch! They were doing pictures with a lady and many bags, I assumed for the shopping centre's promo activities. After that, I bought a recharge voucher for my mobile phone. Then I walked through to the Queen Victoria Building and bought a sweat shirt at a Aussie store (60$ value for 25$). It is white with a pinkish drawing of Australia and "Australia" on it. I needed a new sweatshirt because it is still mostly chilly-windy here in Sydney (and also in Canberra) and I only had brought 2 warm sweaters from back home. Then I continued walking underground through the Queen Victoria Building and the Town Hall Station to get out near the George Street cinemas. I bought my ticket for The Notebook 12h45 showing (11.50$). It was an older cinema room, but it was still comfortable. The movie was really nice. It brought a tear to my eye a few times, but I did not cry. I think the only movie I cried at was with Castaway (Tom Hanks). But to come back to The Notebook... It is a nice story and I want to see it again. I loved the images/scenes, they were very pretty (one in the boat with the birds...). The main actor, Ryan Gosling, was also good in his role! I don't want to say more because I don't want to ruin it for the people who have not seen it... Then I came back home at around 16h I think. I phoned the hostel in Canberra to see if they'd pick me up from the bus station but I was told to take a cab and they'd give me 7$ back from the fare. Good deal I thought! I packed my bag for tomorrow's trip. I tried to keep it light and not take too much stuff... But no matter how long you leave for there are some things that you have to take: toiletry things, rain coat, travel books, etc and these things are a bit heavy! But it's fine. I also made a snack for tomorrow on the bus and left it in the fridge. I better not forget to take that before I leave!!

October 29, 2004

Bus to Canberra, Settle in at YHA and Sightseeing

Today I took the bus to Canberra. I arrived at the Greyhound office on Eddy Avenue in Sydney with 45 minutes to spare before departure. I checked in, got a seat assigned (10A, by the window) and then waited to board. While waiting, an old lady started to chat with me. She talked about Australians, travelling to America, etc. The bus was supposed to leave at 9h15, but 30 minutes later we were still waiting. At 9h45, we finally left. We changed busses somewhere in the suburb of Alexandria and then went on with our journey. We stopped again at the airport and in Liverpool. During the trip, I read, slept, ate and listened to music. I saw the Nepean River and the Great Dividing Range along the way. Along the route, I also saw 3 dead kangoroos on the side of the road... It was so sad! The landscape changed a lot along the way. From the big gorges and forest to plains with grass, just a few trees and animals. Most of the time there was no sign of human life, just like back home, lot of free space everywhere. I had to use the toilet and it is the most tiny bathroom I have ever seen... I could barely move around! I arrived in Canberra and looked around for a taxi. I found one, but he was not even Australian!!! I think he was American. I want Aussie cab drivers! He took me to the hostel. It cost about 10$. The hostel cost 53$ for two nights. They also gave me back 7$ from the taxi fare back because they could not come and pick me up from the bus station. At the hostel, there were some old people (one granny, other adults) and a few younger people also. After I settled in and made my bed. I had the Hobart room. My impressions of the hostel... The kitchen was big and clean and a lot of room to store food in the refrigerator. The bathroom was also clean though they had crappy toilet paper (too much detail?). The shower room was a bit smelly (not enough aeration) but clean. The room itself was a bit cold because of brick walls but the window was big and let a lot of light through. There was a nice balcony outside to sit and eat/rest and a spacious television room. Later, I walked all the way to the visitor's centre, 45 minutes away! I wanted a map of the different bus routes. I had read in a brochure that it was available here. The lady said she did not have anymore!!! I insisted and she was able to dig out a last copy for me! I was then on my way to the City Interchange (in the middle of the city). For 3,50$ I bought a day ticket allowing me as much travel as I want. I then walked a lot around London Circuit and City Walk. I had a Subway sandwich, coke and cookie on City Walk. I was starving. I then tried to find a supermarket. I asked at an information desk at Canberra Centre and they pointed me to a "Supabarn" supermarket. I bought grocery for the whole stay in Canberra: pasta for 2 dinners, bread & jam for breakfast, cheese for sandwiches, apples, snacks (granola bars and chips) as well as strawberries and yogurt for desserts. It cost me 30$ for the whole weekend. Pretty good value I thought, and I was not missing out on good food. After I went to take the bus number 35 back to the hostel. I was at the platform 2, but just a few minutes before the bus was due to leave I realized that it was leaving from another platform. I quickly went there and just after I got there the bus arrived! I was lucky... that bus only went once an hour! As I was making dinner, I heard some French... But not any French! Quebec French! And it was young people, just like me! I asked a girl where in Quebec she was from. We then talked a bit. She was travelling with her boyfriend, another girl and her boyfriend and also a France French dude. I had dinner with them at their table. It was nice to speak French and hang out with people from Quebec!! At around 21h30, I cleaned my dishes and then I watched a bit of a Knight's Tale on television while planning the next day's sightseeing and then had a shower and went to bed.

October 30, 2004

Sightseeing South of Lake Burley Griffin and Stonefest!

This morning I woke up at around 7h to get breakfast, prepare sandwich and lunch for the day and get ready to head out for some sightseeing. I decided to take the bus numer 34 to the city. It had an advantage (direct to South of the lake where I wanted to go) and a disadvantage (had to walk 10 minutes to reach the bus stop). So at around 8h40 I left the hostel to Fairfax street/Dryandra street. At 9h10, the bus arrived. I got once again a day ticket for 3,50$. I first went to the National Library of Australia. There was an exhibition called Xanadu about China. I saw old navigation chart and world map by Verbiest from the 1800's. After, I walked towards the High Court and saw Commonwealth Place along the way. It was neat... Two huge walls in the ground, surrounded by grass. There was also the International Flag Display but I could not find Canada's flag! Maybe I did not look good enough. From there, I also saw the Captain Cook Jet Memorial. It is a 140m high jet of water on the Burley Griffin lake (which was also created, just like the city). After I went to the National Gallery of Australia. It was free too so that was nice! I saw a lot of art pieces from international artists I had studied in my uni art class like Stella, Riley, Duchamp, Malevich, Rothko, Judd, Pollock, Warhol, Monet, etc. It was neat! After I went on a tour of Australian art with a volunteer guide called Bob. It was only me and Bob on the tour! He told me a lot about the background of the different artwork. It was interesting... But it was supposed to last 45m and it went on 1h15. I had to tell him I wanted to get lunch for the tour to end! I think he would have gone on talking about all the art pieces the whole day otherwise! I then went to see the Aboriginal Memorial which was a lot of different poles painted which honored all the Aboriginals that passed away during the colonisation of Australia. After that, I sat outside the museum on a bench and had lunch because I was starving! It was about 12h45. Then I went on walking towards the Old Parliament. I saw outside some Aboriginal people who were camping and protesting in a park facing the Old Parliament. I did not go inside the Old Parliament, I walked to the new one instead! The Parliament is really big! It is where the federal government of Australia works. It is built inside the hill and cost 1,1 million to build. The entrance, the Great Veranda was nice. I saw the hall with a lot of columns that are supposed to represent a eucalyptus forest. Then I saw the Great Hall. It had a big wall made by an Australian artist. It is where the big ceremonies take place. Then I went to see the House of Representatives, where the government and Prime Minister get together. I also saw the Senate. After, I went to take the lift to the roof. From there, I got a nice view of how symetrical the city is. I had a snack on the Parliament roof before walking back to the get the bus. On the bus map, it said that it stopped at Brisbane avenue, so I went there. I waited 30 minutes, unsure (10% unsure) if I was indeed in the right spot. The bus number 34 did come and brought me back to the hostel. At the YHA at 15h30, I had a quick rest 30 minutes rest. After, I showered and got ready for the night at Stonefest! I made dinner at 17h and then was off to the bus number 34 (10 minutes away) to catch the 18h10 bus. I did not know which stop to get off so I got off where I saw people getting off that had the purple Stonefest wristbands... Turned out I should have got out earlier. But I eventually found the entrance (with the help of some Aussie dude) and then I saw the end of Rocket Science's (Australia) set. They seemed alright. After during the break I tried to message the people of the Something For Kate forum but they said they were out to eat and will find me when they got back. After a short break, I had moved up front and the Von Bondies (USA) came on. They were good. They brought a lot of energy! The singer was neat... The girl gitarist always changed her shirt. One was red and the other black and almost every song she'd have the other colour on. Their songs sounded a lot alike though! I did enjoy their set. At 20h30 there was another break and at around 21h it was time for Something For Kate (SFK)!! I had not met the people from the forum, they could not get to me or something. I did not care much at this point, I wanted to see SFK! I was near the front, on the left side of the stage. There were a lot of University of Canberra people there, they all knew eachother! I also asked a guy who had a very professional digital camera if I could get his pictures. I gave him my email and hopefully he'd write and I can get the nice pics!! All through SFK's set I was pushed around by people trying to get to the front, etc. It was not very nice! But SFK made it all ok. Shortly after the concert I got a cab back to the hostel my ears still buzzing from the concert. It cost about 11$. At the hostel, I had a snack (bread and jam) and then went to bed... But it was hard to fall asleep!! I set the alarm on for 8h, checkout being at 10h.