So here I am in Sydney. At first I was completely overwhelmed by the city. It's big and I knew that I was here to get a job. I had to find work of I was on the next plane back to LAX.
I gave myself a week to settle in and to have a go at sight seeing with Niki. I always send him to countries ahead to me so that he knows what's up and so that he is well versed in city happenings so that he can be the best tour guide for me (it's always about me). The week was fun. Bondi Beach. Wondering the city center....bla bla bla....it's another english speaking country with huge skyscrapers and rush hour traffic.
My week of exploration was over and it was job time. I went to the first surf shop I saw. The store window said "Hiring casual employees." So, naturally, I went in. I was rudely greeted by a french guy who looked unhappy to be alive (I think that's just how the french look sometimes, so I didn't think much of it.)
I said, "You the manager?" He said, "Yes. Why you ask?" (Please insert your best french accent whilst reading....it makes it all the better and more entertaining). "Ah, I just wanted to give you my CV. I worked at a shop at home in California. I was working for Rip Curl in New Zealand. I have tons of experience..." I was cut off by,"Ok, yeah. Be here tomorrow. One o'clock. You not here, I never call you. You understand?".
Shoot. That was it. A job. I think?
I wasn't too impressed with the shop and I wanted to try my luck somewhere else...Rip Curl. I wanted to see if there was any chance that I could get in where I already knew the drill...how to use the register, how to fill in products, how to do all the day to day...
So, I ventured into the first Rippy I saw...
It was twice as big as Auckland. Four floors and heaps of space for merchandise. It wasn't the tiny alley way that I was used to. THIS was a flagship location! This was space that I could get used to!
I asked the girl at the front if she was the manager. She just laughed and pointed to the top floor. So I followed where I was directed.
I was immediately greeted by a small, disgruntled, curly haired fellow who looked as though he didn't really care for me already. I introduced myself only to be grilled with 500 and one questions about who I was, where I came from and what I knew about Rip Curl. I was thrown for a loop. I really thought that I was going to be greeted with a "G'day Mate!" and given a job instantly. Instead I was tested of all my product knowledge and left feeling a bit worthless. I was scared of Sydney. I didn't think this was the friendly Australia that I was hoping for.
Dusty (the store manager at Rip Curl) said that he was going to have to call the guys in NZ and see if they knew me and what they thought of me and then he would get back to me later...
I walked out of the shop feeling low and confused. Looking for a job here was cutthroat. They look you up and down, ask you a few questions and they either shrug you off or they make you start the next day. That's it. No real interview. No discussion of salary. You are either there or not. If you want to work you get there...if you can't make it they give the job to someone who can. Simple as that.
I walked around and handed out a few more CV's and got good responses. I was feeling ok. At least I had somewhere to go tomorrow....
Then I got a call from Dusty. "Be at the shop at 8 am if you want a job. The guys in New Zealand gave you a good recommendation. If you can't make it you don't have a job."
What? What is with this be there or nothing business. People have lives and stuff. Just because I am a backpacker doesn't mean I have nothing to do....Shoot. Now I had two jobs that I had to show up for...not just one.
Any who, long story way way short, I worked the two jobs, juggling them very carefully for a week. I just couldn't do it. They both wanted me to work the same hours, the same days...it was just too hard and neither one would budge on their schedule...
So I chose Rip Curl. And I made the right decision.
I love the people that I work with! We are a truly odd bunch with completely random personalities. We all love lollies (that's what they call candies in OZ) and we all love being weird. We dance in front of customers. We have stupid nick names for each other and we give each other about ten million hugs throughout the day. We are a beautiful mix or dysfunctional crazies. They make me smile and they make me happy....That is why I am sad to leave Australia. And that is pretty much the only reason.
That's right...I am out of here as soon as I arrived. I am off to Indonesia in 2 weeks. In my true fashion I have sent my love ahead of me. He will be there scouting out the lay of the land so that there will be no time wasted when I arrive :) I must admit, I miss him already...but it is good that I am here. I can finish up some stuff, drink in the rest of my time at Rippy Oz, and leave the country feeling like I have had enough.
Here are the things that I will miss about Australia:
-My Rippy Mates
-Easy Way
-Passionfruit EVERYTHING
-Anzac Cookies
-saying "legend" and "heaps" and "ye ye" (going to keep that going forever...so get used to it)
-getting paid almost $20/hr to fold t-shirt and talk to tourists
rippy crew (well the cool ones at least...minus ryan that is taking the pic) Tom, Tilly, Kate, Nic, Nate (my love) and me
Things that I will NOT miss about Australia:
-Buses. 1 MILLION BUSES! That are loud and smelly and ridiculous!
-4 asians (yes, sorry this may not be politically correct) a DAY running into while I am walking. Usually it's more. I am just being kind here with only saying four.
-Asian food. SHOOT! get a freaking mexican restaurant for goodness sake! I am so OVER the noodles.
-People that are always in a hurry.
-Over priced food.
-Even more over priced alcohol.
-Living in the Alfred Park Hostel...I have been here for 2 months living in a 4 bed dorm...
So that's about all I have to say about Australia for the moment. I have a bitter sweet relationship with this country. Would I recommend it for a budget backpacking trip? No. Can you meet cool people and live in an awesome city? Yes.
Part of my heart will always be here. Sydney has touched me. It has also raped me of all my income....
until next time....
my city :)
YOU ARE LEGEND MATES!
