I've been homeless and unemployed now
for one week. One week of job hunting. One week of not knowing what
will happen when I get that text alert from Westpac bank saying “Your
electronic account is below $50”. I've applied for 27 jobs in the
last couple of days. And I'm applying for anything. Everything from
working in the cafeteria at the aquarium and working in a shop to
being a receptionist at a medical firm. Even though I swore to myself
many moons ago that I would never do this, I've even applied for a
call centre job. So I'm turning every single stone.
From my journal as I was leaving
Tauranga
Time's up. I'm now sitting comfortably
on-board the Intercity coach in its grey and colourful patterned
seats.
As we set off from the bus stop in
Tauranga I'm faced with a series of feelings.
Firstly I feel sorry for the
middle-aged guy in the blue shirt sitting across from me, who's phone
ran out of battery as he was talking to someone. Simply hate when
that happens.
No the feelings I'm faced with are
relief, excitement and sadness.
Relief,
because I managed to leave a job I was no longer comfortable and
happy doing.
Excitement,
because I'm about to embarke on a new adventure. So even though I'm
homeless and unemployed, things will be fine because I've got hope.
Sadness,
because I'm leaving people I've grown quite fond off.
In the short time
I've been in New Zealand, I've had the great honour of meeting and
getting to know some amazing people. People from all over the world;
Canada, USA, Brazil, England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Holland,
France, Sweden, Denmark, Australia and of course New Zealand.
The road so far
have been good, purely because I've got so many great people around
me that have supported me. Be it from picking my stuff up when moving
out and giving me a place to stay to making a cuppa and telling me in
a motherly way “You'll
be fine. Just keep on going.”
All those things are what gives me strength and motivation to carry
on. Even at the darkest of times there is always light, however small
and far away it might seem, it is still there. You just have to look.
As the white bus makes its way up towards Auckland on Highway 2,
cutting through the kiwi bus, I suddenly realise something. I'm in
New Zealand. No I haven't been high on magic shrooms the past two
months. I know where I am.
No
but sometimes you get that eureka
moment
and you rediscover everything around you. All of a sudden you notice
the ripe green kiwis hanging down from the endless green orchards and
the van selling fresh avocados on the side of the road for a few
bucks. Or the stunning green hills and majestic mountains normally
only seen in The
Lord of the Rings
and Hobbit
as various members of the Baggins family make their way through
Middle Earth.
This
feeling is also enhanced by the fact I'm listening to the soundtrack
from the films. The steady beat of “The
ride of the Rohrim”
pulsating through my HTC earplugs, which for the cord do absolutely
no justice to the composer.
Sorry sidetracking here. This post isn't called “Wish-list 2013”.
Where
was I? Oh yes, the epic scenery. After pulling out from a sleepy town
with probably 324 inhabitants (and 476 sheep) we are soon out in the
Kiwi wilderness. Orchard after orchard pass by, showing of the
delicious fruits of New Zealand.
Coming
into Auckland,
we cruise down the tiny bit of motorway New Zealand has got. As the
bus stop I'm dreading the walk. Coming out of the bus, I immediately
get into a massive bundle of people awaiting the (flying) arrival of
my bags. After pushing past a flock of tourists with the Canon and
Nikon cameras hanging around their neck, which only 10% of them
actually know how to use, I locate the toilet.
Here's a TIP
for you; use the changing tables to put your backpack on! Trust me,
you don't want to risk taking it off, putting it on the floor and
trying to get it back on after.
Like many cities, Auckland has a logical layout, with straight
streets and blocks, making it easy enough to navigate to the train
station. Coming into the Britomarket Transport Center, I enter a
modern building. After having successfully qued up to the ticket
office and found my platform, I lean up against a bin to give my legs
some much needed rest. The station is actually quite beautiful, with
its columns and shiny metal details. The train coming in reminds me
more of the London Underground trains that a “normal” train,
except this one has aircon and space to move your little toe.
Arriving in the the relaxed town of Swanson, I sit down in the train
station café. Many of the old colonial style stations are still
here, though not necessary as a station. This for example has been
converted into a café. I sit down with a nice cup of coffee and
write in my journal, what you have just been reading.
Back to reality
 |
| Sweet potatoes planted |
In between planting sweet potatoes and cleaning tour buses, I make
sure I find enough jobs to apply for. Like I said there's always a
job. And to be honest, even though I worry about stuff like food and
accommodation, I deep down think this will be an experience for me.
That's it isn't it? Figure out what you can learn from something. To
grow as a person.
When I get into Auckland next week, I'll hopefully have some videos
and pictures I can show you. Because I have limited internet access
out here in the bush, so can't upload too much.
Now, I've got a promising job interview on Tuesday, so wish me luck!
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(This post was
written on a mobile device, so apologies for any spelling mistakes,
lack of pictures and/or the layout of the post itself.)