Perth!

I've been in Perth for a few days now and I have to say that I'm absolutely loving it. I've had some funny experiences since I got here, besides the slightly more mundane shopping, getting to know the city, chilling out in King's Park (to which I will definitely be returning) and watching bad shows in the hostel's TV room (whoever thought The Contender would be a good idea for a show needs to have his head examined). The most notable thing is that I have finally come across someone from my neck of the woods. And how! It's an old mate from high school! I knew he was in Australia, but to actually come across him on the bus to The Deen (pub) is unbelievable. Of course we had a few beers together and yes, we talked about things back home. The whole experience was surreal - a more-or-less random place in the world where two people who haven't had regular contact since 2003 happen to meet. It's a big country, but still a small world.

The second thing is... well, in Adelaide I really couldn't find me a job. (bet you already know where this one's going) The only things going were for those with time or experience. I have neither, so I was shit out of luck. Perth, however, is a different story. I had an appointment at four with a job agency, or so I thought. I filled out the TFN declaration form and was taken to the coffee room. In ten minutes, the question came: "can you start at five?" Errr... sure? So there I was, second day of the job hunt, and I had a job. What I'm doing? Well, that's something... I am hired scum. I try to get my greedy hands in your pocket, take out your credit card and run away with it giggling and screaming. I am the person who yanks you out of a wonderful meal with your family or disturbs you while you're watching a good film. I am the one who constantly rings you asking if you want to consolidate your debt. I am... a telemarketer. Morally dubious job, certainly, but it pays and to be honest, that's all I care about. So now I've got work and I'm sort-of hoping the two job agencies I've enrolled myself in don't call for the next few days... I don't want to have to tell them I've got a job 'till this one's a bit more steady.

Now for the regular 'my plans for the future' bit... since I'll be staying in Perth for three weeks, I have the chance to see a West Coast Eagles game. Tickets go on sale Monday and I'm getting one. After the working bit of this holiday is up, I will go to Rottnest Island for a night or two to practice the whole campsite and hiking thing. I need some practice, because I will be doing part of the Bibbulmun Track, a walking track between Perth and Albany. I don't know the exact route yet, but it will probably be a nine-day hike on the south coast. Of course this will require meticulous preparation, but that should be okay.