When they say wayyyyyy out there….they mean WAYYYYY out there!!!

So Monday morning and it’s time to head to the farm. The drive was an hour from Rebakah and Wayne’s house in Carnamah. We had to stop at the other farm Caren first and pick up a trailor with the front of the header on it. I didn’t really fully comprehend what this meant for me until we got there. Caron is a smaller farm that Wayne and Rebeka Farm on. There is something that they call a “Donger” on the property (which is a portable turned into a living spot) and I got to see inside that. Basically a small kitchen area, bedroom and bathroom…haha. It’s not very big, but I found out that I will be living in this for 2 weeks when we come and harvest the Barley and Wheat over on this property.

Ok, so then we had to leave and Rebekah says “ok, so Em you can drive the Ute to Mary Vale (A Ute is what they call a pickup truck here). Ok no problem..until I realized that it was a standard. Um…..I haven’t driven standard in a long long time (like LONG time)……………AND……….I have to shift with my left hand…….….AND I have to drive on the left hand side of the road. Hmmmmmmm……well this will be interesting. It’s not like I could say no…it had to be done. So, I just accepted the challenge. To be honest, I didn’t even think about it, I just did it.  I actually had Charmaine helping me shift the gears..haha. It was hilarious. I felt pretty relieved when we got to Mary Vale Farm and turned the key off. LOL Well I have to get used to it, as this is the vehicle that I’m gonna be driving for the time I am here. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Mary Vale is not so bad. It’s the family farm house but it’s only 30 years old (the original one burned down so they built a new one). It has a/c and wifi which is good! Basically my role is to do all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and help out wherever the need me moving stuff, driving stuff, anything. They have an electrical business that they need to keep going, so that’s why Rebekah and the kids stay in Carnamah during the week, and then come up to the farm on weekends. (Wayne is an electriction and a Farmer)

I have my own room and the bed is actually very comfy. They have satellite TV which is great too…considering I am about an hour from the closest town. I will be spending lots of alone time, but that’s ok. My goal is to get my 88 days of farmwork done now, save my money and then I can apply for my Second year visa and come back to explore the East Coast after Jesse & Glen’s wedding. Yayyyyy! I know I am also going to learn lots..both physically and mentally. Also, there are two cats (Snowy and Tom-they are siblings) and a dog named Fizz to help keep me company.

Wheat Harvest 2014 has begun….here we go…..

Carnamah WA…..Outback….Wheat Harvest 2014 here we go…..

There is something very freeing about driving alone, windows down, music on..just feeling happy. You are in control of where you want to go. You stop when you feel like it, and you drive when you feel like it. I didn’t have a huge deadline to get to Carnamah.  They said I could show up Sunday or Monday so I decided to go up Sunday. I met up with my friend Megan for an early breaky. She is also from Ottawa and we met through a mutual friend. Megan is awesome and has a smart-ass sense of humor like me- so we get along great J She has been so helpful giving me tips on stuff and being my Aussie –go-to when I need help. We met in the town she lives in called Scarborugh at this really cute café. We had a nice breaky, some good chat/banter and then I was on my way to meet another friend Katie before I left. But guess what….to my surprise…it was FREE STUFF DAY! What does that mean you ask? Well exactly what it say. People put out whatever they don’t want on the street, and then creepy people like me com along in a giant creepy mini van and take it! Hahaha.

The first thing I eyed was a cooler! It looked in fine shape (yes, I did the slow creep along stare at it first- just to get the full effect) Then I backed up, pulled over, ran out, picked it up, emptied the dead bugs from the lid, and ran back to the van. The most hilarious/awkward part of this whole thing was that the sliding van door is on the opposite side as it would be at home, so if anyone was watching me steal their garbage they would have been in for a real treat. A giant redhead creeping by slowly…stopping…backing up….jumping out and grabbing the cooler, running back to the WRONG SIDE OF THE VAN…trying to open a side with no door….looking awkward and confused, finally realizing and going AROUND to the other side..throwing it in and driving away quickly. Haha. To be honest..I hope someone was watching. You’re welcome “person throwing out great stuff to steal”!

I met up with Katie down by the Scarborough Beach (Katie is my fellow hostel buddy that worked as a Carnie with me ) We just sat on the grass and relaxed. I then showed her my sweet van…haha. She is in university but I hope that after my farmwork I can meet up with her again and we can maybe do at least a weekend trip together. She is a wicked person.

I left around noon and had to stop at the mall to change my cell phone provider. There is only one provider that will have service in “bum-fuck-nowhere” and that is where I was headed. I finally got on the road to the farm around 1:00 pm. The drive was supposed to take 3.5 hours. I honestly didn’t mind the drive at all. I originally had a bus ticket booked, but then I was able to get a refund when I bought the van.

I got to the “Roadhouse” in Carnamah (a roadhouse is the gas station in a small town- but they sell hot food there too) and had to get the people to call Rebekah for me as my phone had died. She came and met me and I followed her to the house. I instantly liked her and we really got along. She has two kids: Charmaine is 12 and Josh is 10. They are pretty cool kids and everyone made me feel very welcome when I was there.

Tomorrow we head to the Mary-Vale Farm. It is an hour from their house in Carnamah. This is where I will spend most of my time over Harvest. I feel blessed that this all came together the way it was supposed to. You can create the ideal situations that you want, if you believe that they will come to you as they are supposed to. I knew that something would work out for me, and that I would be put right where I needed to be J

Nighty Night!!

I need a Van, I want a Van….wait…...you have a Van for Sale?

So ever since I decided to come to Australia I have had a dream of travelling in a van around the country. Although there are different transportation options (Bus, Train) I felt that with a Van you could see more, and save money staying in Hostels…by sleeping in the van J

I had it on my list of goals…..even knowing that to buy a van would be quite expensive. When I looked them up they varied from about $2500-5000 depending on how big and what was in it. (that’s what he said? Haha)

So you can only imagine my reaction when a friend named Katherine I had met in the hostel told me that she was selling her van. Katherine had stayed in the hostel for a week in my room. She was an older woman, originally from Singapore. He was now living in Sydney, but was in Perth visiting a few friends of hers. She used to live in Perth years ago, but left when her and her husband separated.

Katherine and I had some really great life chats before bed. Usually I would get into the room around 9:30 or 10:00 pm, after my full day as a carnie. She was usually getting ready for bed, and I would sit on the floor by her and we would just talk about or lives, how we got here, goals, etc. It was really nice. When she left I got her number and email and hoped that we would keep in touch. Well I definitely met this woman for a reason…she was a piece of the puzzle J

Katherine rang me up a week after she had left the hostel and asked if she could take me to breakfast on Friday. She was flying back to Sydney on Sunday, so she wanted to see me one last time. Obviously I said yes (Free food! Haha j/k….well kinda. Hey! I’m a backpacker ;)

When I came down to the lobby to meet her Friday morning she was writing something up with the guy at the front desk of the hostel.  As we were leaving and walking over to the restaurant I asked her what she had been doing. She said “well…I am trying to sell my van”. I was like, you have a van??? (the wheels started turning instantly)  She said yes, it was my vehicle when I used to live here and I don’t need it anymore so I am ready to sell it. I asked her how much and she said she was trying to sell it fast so she was charging $1600. Hmmmm…..

We went for breakfast and it was really nice. We both had this delicious coconut porridge and a fruit smoothie….mmmmm. Throughout the whole conversation we were having I just couldn’t get the van out of my mind. My gut was just telling me that this was supposed to be my van. I know that makes no sense (well it will make sense to a few of you…;) mom) Honestly..it just felt right. (I realize how weird that sounds about an old, kinda rusty mini van….but this is my world now) hahaha…from sports car to old mini van….dun dun dun!

I asked Katherine to drop me off at the  library, as they have free wifi there (again..common people..when you are a backpacker you chase the word FREE around like it’s a kit kat bar!...mmmm….I would love a kit kat bar right now….dammit!)

When I got to the library I instantly started looking up the same model of the van with similar mileage and the cheapest one that I found was $2500….hmm. I knew that she had the van for 15 years, and had taken care of it. It is always a risk when you are buying an old vehicle, but at least I know that she hadn’t been taking it off any sweet jumps….or racing it. Haha

I called my Sister and told her about my situation. (She is my big decision go-to…obviously) I totally did not have $1600 but I thought hey, I will offer her what I can afford and if it’s meant to be then its meant to be J

I texted Katherine and wrote:

“Hey girl! It’s EM J Thanks again for breakfast today, it was really awesome to get to see you again. SO I just cannot stop thinking about your Van. I know you are asking $1600 for it, but I am only able to afford $1000. If you get desperate and want it sold fast, and are willing to sell it cheaper then let me know J Cheers! Em”

I was sooooooooooooooo excited when she texted me back this:

“Hey Em! Yes it was very great to see you today! I will sell it to you for that price J I know you will take care of her and she will have many travels and adventures with you. Call me later and we will set up a time to meet – Katherine”

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I have a van!! So I litterally have spent everything I own on this van. Haha. I have enough for my gas to get to the farm will I will be working. But honestly, I am very happy. This van is going to help me on my adventure, and allow me to see more of the country, cheaper J My plan is to take the seats out and put a mattress in the back. Honestly..talk about manifesting baby!!! I manifested this Van into my life and I couldn’t be more happy J JJ

It is funny how your perspective changes as your life does. I would not have even looked twice at this van at home, let alone drive it. I would have been embarrassed. Now I am so happy to have it, and make it into my little “home-on-wheels”!

Good thing I worked my ass off as a Carnie to help pay for my old Mini-Van!”---- that needs to be a bumper sticker.. haha

Now en route to Carnamah….aka Australian Outback. Off to the next adventure that life has in store for me J

 

Farmgirl whaaaaaaaatt??

So after my short stint as a Carnie, I was trying to figure out my next move. Hmmm. I was still in the hostel in Cottelsloe, which I really liked as it was literally beside the beach. I had printed off my resume and had all my paperwork in order (Bank account, tax #, RSA- which is what you need to have if you want to work anywhere that serves alcohol)
I then found out that day that MY SISTER AND GLAN GOT ENGAGEDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!! SO EXCITING!!! YES I AM YELLING IN EXCITEMENT RIGHT NOWWWWWW!!!
Wow, I honestly can say from my whole heart that I am so happy! I just love Glen and I love Jesse and Glen together :)

So that being said, there is a wedding coming up! And THAT being said- I will need to come home earlier to help with the planning of everything. So I decided that I wanted to apply for my second Visa out here In order to apply for your second year visa you need to complete 88 days of farmwork. I sent a message to the Canadian Embassy asking about the age cut off, as I will be turning 31 in January and I had heard that 31 years was the cut off for a second year visa. So the next day I got a phone call from a guy at the embassy and here is how our conversation went:

"Hi, is Emily there Please?"

"Yes, this is her"

"Hi Emily, my name is Adam and I am calling in regards to an email that you sent to us regarding your second year visa"

"Um...yep"

"Well....if you did want to apply for your second year visa, you would actually need to start your farmwork by Friday"

"Um...like this Friday? (this was on Tuesday)

"Yes...this Friday. Well...the absolute latest that you could start it would be Monday..but no later than that.  It's honestly going to be really hard for you, you might as well just not bother"

"So you are saying that if I start it by Monday then I can apply for my second year visa?"

"Well yes, but its going to be very hard for you. You cant start it any later than Monday. "

"Alright then...I will find myself a farm then"

"Yes, but NO later than Monday"

"Yes, I understand that. Thank you for all your help :)"


Shit just got real..quickly.

So I now had to find a farm to work on. I went onto Gumtree (which is like our kijiji) and put an ad up. I said I was looking for paid farmwork, and that I needed my second year visa signed off, and that I needed to start MONDAY! haha  I actually found it comical.
o god
Well...I wasn't even sure if I would get 1 or two responses. That night, I swear to god...my phone BLEW UP! Like honestly, I got so many calls, texts, emails it was insane!
What I didn't know, is that it was just starting Harvest time. So most farmers were looking for help around the farm. Thank you Universe!!

I had it narrowed down to two farmers. I had called their references of girls that worked there last year and they were really good. I was just about to call Tim and tell him that I would be coming to his farm when I got an email from a woman named Rebekah. She said that they needed help with cooking, cleaning, making lunches, moving stuff around outside etc. The pay was $450 per week and I had free food and accommodation. I was actually offered more at the other farms, but the fact that she was a woman just made me feel more at ease. I decided that I would head to their farm to work :)

Their farm was 3.5 hours North of Perth. Small town called Carnamah :)

Oh the adventures continue......... 

 

Hahahahahah!

 

Katie and I working :)

 

Nabila (German) Katie (UK) and Me doin our thang :)

 

Remember that time I worked as a Carnie??!

Heyyyyyy everyone!

Well hi there. I am back :)
So..let's chat about that time that Emily became a Carnie at the fair...hahaha.

So my third day in the hostel I woke up early and went down to the lobby to use the wifi. It was about 7:30 am and everyone else was pretty much in bed. I was just sending emails and playing on Facebook when the guy working the front desk came over and said "excuse me...but do you need a job by chance?". "Ummm.....well yes..yes I do actually! He said "ok just call this lady...the pay is shit but I think you will get a lot of hours. It's working at the Perth Royal Show, which is a huge fair that runs for 8 days.

I called the woman and she said that she had one of her girls that was supposed to work not show up, so she needed someone else to work. The days would be long (9:00 am-9:00 pm) but it was just for the 8 days. I told her I would come down and meet her. There was another girl in the hostel named Katie that was looking for work too, so she was going to come with me. We took her car (always make friends with cars when travelling!! it's key!! haha) So we both headed down to the showground and met Linda. She was really nice and told us that we would be working in one of the tents selling clothing. (Gangster clothing..like hats that said "DOPE" and crap like that..oh lord)

Anyways, I was happy to have work for the week so whatever. As we were leaving and walking to the car I had acceptance that "I am a Carnie"....full blown...working at the fair. haha. Amazing......

So the next morning Katie and I met in the lobby and walked up to catch the train. (she shares her car, so we took the train) Katie is so fun and easy to talk to. I could tell that we would get along great!

We got to the show and met up with everyone. There were two other French Backpackers that worked the show with us, as well as two young German girls. The two German girls had flown from Adelade and were actually sleeping on the showground IN THE TENT for the week! haha! Oh god...that made me feel better about myself. I wasn't THAT bad. lol. They were all lovely girls. They had a mini coffee maker so we made coffees and then walked up to the tent that Katie and I would be working at. Our job was basically just to keep restocking the hangers with sizes, and sell clothing. I will now put in bullets all of the weird and crazy things that I experienced at the show as a Carnie:

-After the first 13 hour day of standing I decided that shoes were overated...so Katie and I went barefoot for the rest of the week. By the end of the night our feet were so dirty you needed an SOS pad to scrub the dirt out.  All....Class...

-One woman cornered me in the back of the tent, proceeded to tell me that she had just had a boob job in Thailand, and then asked me to touch "them".......................obviously I did. I panicked...!

-So So SO many young kids trying to steal from us. One girl came in with about 6 girls behind her. I describe her as a 12 year old, that looked like a 56 year old woman that had spent 10 years in prison. When I stared at her, watching her try to steal a hat, she cocked her head at me and told me to go fuck myself. I just stared down at her and her little posse, as they were pretty much up to my belly button. She then walked out, angry that "the bitch will get it"....hmmm......that was neat.

-Parents buying Marijuana hats for their 6 year old kids.......parenting 101 right there

-Other "Carnies" trying to barter with me for a deal...offering me the "best ride ever" on the ride that they were operating.... I just gave them the discount...passed on the ride haha    :/

-The woman across from me was selling a toy called the "Splat Ball"...her boobies pretty much sat on the table that she was throwing the splat ball on..I couldn't look away...........

-Many people on drugs.....trying to have conversations with me...awkward


All in all it was an experience. The days were LONGGG but everynight at 8:00 they did an amazing fireworks show! And we got to watch it every night! Our boss fed us chocolate all day, and athough the pay wasn't great (Average pay here is 21-15$ per hour) I got lots of hours, and met lots of people :) I felt really blessed for the opportunity. Sometimes it's about being in the right place at the right time :).....that....and dirty carnie feet :)

XOXO

EM