First things first... what the hell happened on February 20th? If anyone has any exciting or extraordinary tidbits of information Dan and I would really like to know as this day did not exist in our lives, or should I say, we ceased to exist on February 20th? We left LA on the 19th and arrived in Nadi, Fiji on the 21st at 615 am Fiji time. As we didn't fly to Brisbane until 1pm we decided to have a bit of a look around. We hired a taxi who was kind enough to take us to a nice beach resort (as he thought the local beach might be a bit much for us as they drink, swear, steal and smoke somthing that I think started with an M). We then sunned ourselves, had our first dip in the Pacific, got bit by a crab (Dan), and had a crab try to drag my bra into a hole. Very interesting and funfilled topped off by a lovely continental breakfast at the resort. We can now say we have been to Fiji! We arrived later that afternoon in Brisbane to 30 degree weather and the aim to find a job as quickly as possible. We didn't exactly blow through our money in the states quite as mom predicted but we decided that we might as well get busy and make as much as we can. We were in bed by 9 on both Saturday and Sunday nights.... slightly jetlagged and decided Monday would be our best bet at finding a job and getting out of Brisbane. It wasn't that Brisbane wasn't a nice enough place but we had spent the last 3 weeks exclusively in cities and decided to hit the country.
This next bit might be a bit of a shocker to my family... the ones who though I would never get a job, or accumulate any assets... well boy were they wrong. Day 3 in Australia Dan and I made our first major purchase together... a sweet, gold 1989 Volvo something or other that we affectionately call Vulva. She cost about 800 bucks and has so far got us 500 km up the coast to a lovely town called Childers. We parked last night at a truck stop (not sure if you are allowed to do that, but we survived) and pitched our 2 man tent (also a new aquisition) that neither Dan nor I can fully stretch out in. Today, after Vulva's first 500 km trip under her belt we arrived in a lovely town called Childers about 100 km south of the Tropic of Capricorn (slightly hot here as well). We got ourselves situated at a nice camp site a few km out of town and start our first job as tomato pickers on Thursday courtesy of the lovely English lady who runs the campsite. As long as we stay with her for 3 weeks she will continue to find us work with all of the local farms. We are hoping to do the tomatoes for about a week or two before moving onto the big bucks that are avocados. A lot of these jobs pay piece work but if you get lucky you can make up to $17-20/hr which ironically the Aussies aren't too keen to do. I would have given my right arm for a job that paid that well in highschool or university (or now for that matter) so we are ready to get started. We have a day off tomorrow (a day off from what I hear you asking...) so are kitting our tent out with something other than the one blanket we currently have.
In response to my yellow coat (which I will not be wearing for some time I might add) Dan has made the effort to one up me infinitely by purchasing a cowboy hat which he refuses to take off. Very urban cowboy, we just need the shirt Chris wore to his wedding :)
We should be able to post frequently over the next few weeks as we will be working 530am-130 so keep checking! Lots of love, ash and dan
PS we also acquired a mobile phone - we are unsure if we get charged if you call it, but as Harry Hill would say - "There's only one way to find out...." so the international code in Australia is 61 and our number is 424894802 (so I think the dialling goes something along the lines of 01161424894802 - if that makes sense).
We have uploaded various photos of Vegas, LA, the grand canyon, Fiji and our beloved vulva so enjoy
Asho, sick shades!
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