My Week In Southern Cross.
Trip Start
Nov 17, 2010
1
51
104
Trip End
Ongoing
Southern Cross, Western Australia, Australia
Saturday, January 29, 2011
My train was at 07:10 so that meant I had to get up at half 6 and walk to the East Perth station, which was about a 15 minute walk away. I packed all my bags the night before so I wouldn’t wake anyone up, but before I left I woke Kt to say goodbye. At the station I collected my ticket in the name of ‘Babes’ and got on board for my 4 hour journey. I slept most of the way.
I was the only person the get off at Southern Cross, and Greame was waiting for me in the only car that was parked next to the ramp that was the train station. He was on his phone so I just threw my backpack in the trunk and sat beside him. It’s small town with dirt roads, and very hot. Greame showed me the bar, and then up to my room. All he said was ‘no flashing, the police are outside so they will know, come down at quarter to 5 so I can show you the till.’ I got the impression that he didn’t know it was my first shift. Surely they would have told him that?!
I went down later for some free food, and sat at the bar and met Anna and Corey, the chef. He was really nice. Onj his break we went up to his room to watch dvds in his air con, and then I went to get ready at 3. I came downstairs at quarter to 5, and so began the challenge of learning al the new aussie drinks. There’s hundreds of them. And guess what? Greame had no idea it was my first shift. He wasn’t happy. In short…he was a total arse. He moaned every time I asked something, and just generally spoke to me like I was an idiot. All the customers were lovely though. But I hated it. I stayed for a drink with a guy after work at 8, and then went upstairs.
The next day I stayed in my room most of the day. Pam phoned to see how it went and I said it was crap. She tried to convince me to stay, but I was seriously planning my escape. It was quite fun, planning how I would sneak out and get a lift off someone to the train station. Later, Corey came and said I would have a good night because Greame was in a good mood. I went down and drew a plan of the bar and where all the beers were, and spent the afternoon studying. It paid off. That night went great. Greame wasn’t on. Apparently he was just covering for Sharon, and it’s usually her. She was much nicer. I still felt I should have been doing more than just standing chatting…. that’s always been known as ‘slacking off’ to me! But apparently as the skimpy, that is my job. That night I was invited down to the Railway which is the other pub. I got drunk, made some new friends, and then went back to this guy’s house party, where there was a pool and a hot tub. It was great.
The next day was Australia Day. Corey came and invited me downstairs to join in the bbq. I went down to find everyone chatting, and putting stickers on themselves. They gave me a flag. Some of the girls had bought some water pistols and super soakers and we had a water fight! It was so much fun!! I LOVE water fights…they are one of may favourite ways to have fun. Corey cooked the bbq, and we all ate, and then we went ‘down the Railway’ to celebrate. Anna and I sat at the bar talking to some people, and a guy she knew asked us both if we wanted to come and see some kangaroos in the outback. Of course we obliged! So we got in his truck and he took me to see some minjes which he had already showed Anna, and then we found some roos. We were chasing them all around the outback, it was great fun. I had only seen them in the zoo and had no idea they were so fast! They run away from their shadows in your headlights, so you can control which way they run. We took lots of photos of the sunset, and on the way back we saw a dry lightening storm, where there is no rain.
Back at the Railway and had a few strongbows, but didn’t want to get drunk. I everyone kept saying ‘why aren’t you dancing?’ but I couldn’t be bothered. Sometimes I just like chat…I’m not a big dancer. I got talking to these 3 nice guys about how to get jobs in the mines. I was one of the last to leave. I actually got lost on the way back….god knows how, because its only down one street. Luckily the guys I had been talking to drove past me, and they took me home.
Thursday was an average day. I did nothing all day except had a really nice sandwich, and my shift went well. Geame had gone to perth now, so I wouldn’t see him again.
On Friday I spent all day in my room watching ‘boy meets world’ lying on my bed in the sweltering heat. I had to pour water on myself every 5 minutes. There is no air con in my room, only a fan, which is no good if there’s no cool air. My last shift went fine, and I didn’t go out. I packed my bags and looked forward to leaving. I was looking forward to being back at Billlabong, but it was fully booked until Tuesday, so I have 3 nights at the Underground which also has a pool.
In the morning, the yardie took me back to the train station, and I enjoyed the train ride back to perth. And I WALKED all the way to the Underground. I nearly got a taxi, but didn’t see one. It took me half an hour, in the sweltering sun with my backpack on! How hardcore am I??
Comments
Hi my lovely, have printed off all of your travel blogs and find them terrific. Look after yourself. Hope that you are away from the fires, love you, keep smiling xxxx