Melbourne To Sydney

I contemplated staying in Melbourne as it seemed like a lovely place and the people were friendly. It had nothing to do with the fact that I was staying in the same neighbourhood as Hugh Jackman. I still blush at my reaction to that. I was obviously impressed when Jay told me and my inner monologue went into overdrive. Perhaps we could drive past a few times until he comes out and I’ll just accidentally bump into him. “Oh I’m so sorry Mr Jackman. Are you ok?” *gropes bicep* 

Ahem…sorry about that. Turns out the guys don’t have the precise location of the house where Hugh Jackman lives. Eric Bana also lives in the area. Awesome. I also learnt that former Neighbours star Patrick Harvey, who used to play Connor, lives next door. I wasn’t that impressed and have since learnt that he’s a bit of an idiot (they used another word!). I didn’t see anyone famous which is probably a good thing given the above. I might get arrested!

As my friends Mel and Steff were based in Sydney and I was told that there is more office work there, I decided to move over there instead.

Afraid that I was outstaying my welcome with Jay and Lucas on top of the need for a job, I decided to leave for Sydney the following day on the night train. Yes, another night journey. I’m a glutton for punishment.

The day before, I found out that I could in fact book my ticket online and pick it up at the station, so I decided to have another lie-in. My phone buzzed with a text message but I let it rest for a while. Having felt that I got all the sleep I could possibly manage, I got up and went to book my train ticket. I can’t actually remember the reason why I couldn’t book it online. It might have been the payment options or a problem with my student discount. Either way, I had to go to the station to buy a ticket as I didn’t want to risk turning up before departure only to find that there are no seats left! I suddenly remembered that I received a text message earlier:

Forgot to tell you, the cleaner will be coming over today.

Oh dear. It was already late morning. I best move it! I showered, changed and left without breakfast. The guys had left me a spare key so I could let myself back in which was nice of them. They definitely must not think that I’m a psycho. I also wondered how much money these guys must be on to afford a cleaner. I don’t know anyone back home who has a cleaner!

I was confident that I could find my way back to the station as I did it the previous day. However, it didn’t help that I went the wrong way after exiting the flat. I followed my Google Map instructions and ended up in the arse-end-of-nowhere. I didn’t complain to begin with as it was a beautifully sunny day, the birds were singing…fooling you yet? I was slightly annoyed with myself and I was hungry. Not a good combination. I looked intensely at my map for a while. I turned it to the right, then to the left. It made no difference. Oh why do I have to be so bloody useless at getting around?

As I walked in a direction that could have brought me closer or further away from my intended destination, a lycra-clad cyclist stopped and asked me if I needed any help. This guy was so friendly and really helpful. He plucked out his iphone and searched for directions to the station. He figured out the shortest route and explained where I needed to go. This took me back to my days in Japan. Random acts of kindness from complete strangers. I felt a lot better.

I cut through a scenic park and then looked around in confusion. None of the roads were signposted. Great. Cue pacing around, speaking to another stranger and eventually I made it to the station. Phew!

It was a good job that I paid for the ticket in person rather than online as I went to the wrong counter the previous day. The correct counter was located on the opposite side of the station. I would not have been happy having to lug the beast round if that happened!

Sorted, finally! I went back to the flat and was in the middle of packing the beast when Jay came back. When he asked how my day went, I skipped the part where I got lost AGAIN (!) and casually said I’d just nipped out to buy my train ticket. With the beast packed and resting, I sat back and too relaxed until my impending night train.

*****

The night train proved uneventful. The seats were spacious and I wasn’t sat near any annoying/weird/loud people so all was good. The main annoyance was that the lights went out at 10pm…10pm!!! It turned out to be the most boring night journey ever. I couldn’t do anything except sit there and try to go to sleep. I listened to a lot of music and drifted in and out of sleep. After what seemed like an actual lifetime, I arrived in Sydney. The all too familiar numbing pain in the arse welcomed me like an old friend. The dazed and confused feeling that you get after being disturbed mid-sleep was witnessed by the morning commuters rather than my alarm clock. Why do I do this to myself?

The internet, in all its wisdom, told me to get a train and a bus up to Collaroy where my friends were. Thankfully a kind staff member at the train ticket desk informed me that there is a direct bus to Collaroy. He gave me the bus number and told me where to buy a ticket. Awesome.

It was a good job I spoke to him as all buses from Sydney city only accept pre-paid tickets during the day and won’t allow anyone to purchase a ticket on the bus. Quite a few people made the mistake of trying. Damn, Sydney bus drivers are grumpy. Glad I didn’t feel their wrath today. They must have let me off, it being my first day and all.

The bus driver kindly shouted me when my bus stop arrived. I got off and was footsteps away from the hostel. Now that’s more like it! Mel had already booked me a room, I just needed to pay. Once I settled in my room and got my bearings, we went to the beach for a while. Again, this was also footsteps away. Across the road was the beach and to my left and right were shops, takeaways, restaurants and a post office. There’s even a bar over the road. Everything seemed perfect (emphasis on the seemed!). Eight weeks later and I’m still here and currently counting down the days when I can get out!!