Day 120 - January 20

I was thinking of going out today, but it was sooooo hot, I changed my mind. It was 37 degrees out, with no clouds in sight. It's been pretty hot the past couple of days. When I took the bus yesterday, it was so hot that even the bus driver left the door open while driving to get more wind inside the bus! I'm pretty sure all living things are melting outside.

Day 119 - January 19

My housemate Cait was pretty cool and talkative. That was another reason why I chose to live at this place. Nick was cool too, but less talkative. Cait says he'll warm up as time goes by.

My awesome housemates!

I applied at a lot of agencies in the downtown area of Perth. Seeing all the people in suits made me miss the corporate world. I liked having my own desk, working my own hours, meeting other business people and making deals, even just driving my own car.

Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing here, halfway across the world. I miss my family and friends back home. It's not all fun and games when doing a working holiday visa. Granted I've had the time of my life here, but it comes with a lot of challenges like finding the perfect place to live and finding a job. But then I look past it because it's not like I'm not going to see my friends and family again. 

I've noticed that the first couple of weeks, when you land in a new place, are not the most fun. It's tough finding a perfect place to live. Then it's even harder to find a job. During those times I think about home the most. Through my experience, once you've got those two things covered, then it's smooth sailing afterwards. You just gotta hang in there, do the best you can and something eventually goes your way. Giving up would be the worst decision.

Day 118 - January 18

Jenn and Paul picked me up at night to check out the midnight tour of the Fremantle prison.

The entrance.

This is where the first settlers landed and was the first public building in Western Australia. It is also where the British Government sent a convict ship. Upon arrival, the ship had 75 prisoners. These prisoners help build the Fremantle Prison in the 1950's. If I was them, I would've secretly built an escape tunnel at the same time.... or an ice cream stand.

Glass: the only thing that seperates you from the Irish convict Paul.

The tour guide showing us the 3 leveled prison area. He told us the story about how prisoners tried to commit suicide from the 3rd floor, that's why there's a crash net installed.

Art created by prisoners. It's to help them escape reality.

This is where flogging takes place, usually with a cat-o-nine tails whip.

Where the hangings were held. The lucky prisoners would have their head snapped for instant death. The others... well let's just say it wasn't a walk in the park.

Where the bodies would lay motionless.

The kitchen where they made soup in the big silver vats. Sometimes they used cockroaches and rats as ingredients. I'll take 2 bowl please!

Gonna get lucky with a zebra in cell number 43.... giggidy giggidy goo...

The tour guide explained a lot of what happens inside the prisons. It was very interesting. They also have some points during the tour where he tries to scare you. It scared most of the people. I won't tell which parts in case you decide to visit.

 

Day 117 - January 17

I went to the State Library of Western Australia, as all smart travellers should do. Got myself a library card so that I could use the computers and print out my resumes.

Wasn't very big for a state library.

After I printed out my resumes (one was geared toward office jobs and the other toward hospitality), I walked the busy streets of Murray Street and Hay street. This was the heart of Perth CBD (Central Business District aka Downtown). It was where all the shopping was downtown. I wasn't dressed to apply so I did some window shopping and also kept my eye out for stores that had 'help wanted' signs.

I remember that getting public transit cards are always convenient than paying cash everytime I use the bus or train. I went to the main train station on Wellington Street and William Street and bought a SmartRider card. It costed $10, but it's worth it since you get a minimum of 15% off the regular rate if you paid with cash. Plus, if you use it on the trains and travel within the CBD, it's free. There are also free buses that run in and around the CBD area. The buses are called Central Area Transit (CAT) buses. There are three of them: Yellow CAT, Blue CAT and Red CAT.


Meow bus

Map of the 3 free CAT buses.

Check out their webpage if you're ever in Perth, www.transperth.wa.gov.au. It'll save you money, especially if you live in or around the CBD area. 

If you're reading this as a traveller and may have some questions, you can email me, Alex, at stinkypickleman@hotmail.com. We can also discuss the origins of my email too if you'd like haha. 

Day 116 - January 16

More applying online. Finding a job sucks when you're not a citizen of that city. Employers, especially office jobs, are always looking for long term so they don't really look at international resumes. Jenn told me a trick during the interview process: just say that I love Perth and don't want to leave for a long time. Will do! Even though she hates Perth haha. She says the people are not friendly, which I got a taste of on my first day, and that the city shuts down after 5:30pm everyday and pretty much all day on Sunday. 

Day 115 - January 15

Now that I have a place to call home and have all the house essentials, it was time to look for a job. www.gumtree.com.au is always the first stop for me. In case you don't remember, gumtree is exactly like kijiji. I applied to many office jobs and restaurants.

Didn't even leave the house, plus it was blazingly hot outside.

Day 114 - January 14

Had an alright rest in my new room. Pretty hot, but luckily I had a fan in my room. It wasn't as good as an air conditioner, but it'll do.Since I just moved in, it was time to go shopping for the essential needs: food, toilet paper, etc.

I shopped at the Centro Galleria shopping centre that was about a 15 minute walk from my place. The suburb I lived in was Dianella, on Light Street. The only thing missing in the area was a train station, but a bus stop was nearby to take me to the CBD if needed.

The mall was a fair size. It didn't look big from the outside but it had a theatre, 2 grocery chains and lots of shops.

I agree that the statue in front looks like a killer dolphin with a human in its mouth. How inviting...